Ideas for compact darkroom

[Darin Boville]

Any good ideas for a compact darkroom? I (again) thinking of putting a darkroom in my garage. But ever time I flesh out a design it takes up soooo much space. Maybe I should just make it to do 11x14s max? Any ideas?

--Darin

[Brian C. Miller]

My bathroom is my darkroom, and boy is it small! I can do up to 16x20 with stacked trays. The trays are on my tub, with a piece of plywood across it. Otherwise I can use my CPP2, which I also set up on my tub.

[Brian Ellis]

I used a laundry room as a darkroom in one house I used to own. It worked pretty well. I put the trays on the washer and dryer so they doubled as a counter top. There was a tiny sink adjacent to the washing machine and when the session was over I'd put the print washer on the washing machine and drain it into the little sink. The room was probably no more than 6'x10' but a small darkroom does have one advantage - you don't have to walk very far to do anything.

[Jim Edmond]

A Nova 12x16 slot processor is what makes my small space work for me. I found one that has a print washer as the fourth slot which is connected to a laundry utility sink.

[Drew Wiley]

When I started out, I did everything in a small bathroom, but was still able to crank
out entire gallery exhibitions of 20x24 prints. The secret was a drum processor. Now I've got much more serious facilities, but if you've got the will, there's a way. Just pay attention to ventilation and adequate air exchange.

[BetterSense]

I use a walk in closet, probably about 5x8 feet. It's completely comfortable because the trays can sit on the shelf across from the enlarger.

[Roger Thoms]

Just curious, how big is your garage and what else is competing for space?

I know that my last darkroom was 7'-8" by 8'-2" and it work very nicely for printing 11x14. I had an 8' Delta ABS sink on one wall and the Door and Enlarger on the oposite wall. Would have been better to have the door on either end, but that wasn't an option because of the particular space.

Roger

[Heespharm]

My large format darkroom is my bathroom with a graflarger on a crown graphic

[Darin Boville]

>>Just curious, how big is your garage and what else is competing for space? <<

Answer 1: One car, but not tight. We don't use it for the car, of course.

Answer2: My wife.

--Darin

[Roger Thoms]

Good, I'm a firm believer a car is the last thing that should go in the garage. Seems like something in the 8'x8' range should be doable. That should still leave half for your wife.

You might want to check out the darkroom portrait thread over on APUG if you haven't already. Might give you some inspiration.

http://www.apug.org/forums/forum43/10966-darkroom-portraits.html

Roger

[Heroique]

I split my work between three rooms:

My Omega D-2v enlarger sits on the floor of a walk-in closet, where I expose all my prints.

I then put the prints in a Premier “Paper Safe,” and walk down the hall to my bathroom. This is where I line-up trays in the tub, and develop the prints. If my prints are bigger than 11x14, which is rare, I’ll stack the trays. This is also where I develop sheet film.

I then take my fixed prints (or film) to the kitchen for washing, either in trays, or a washer connected to the sink. Typically, I use trays under the faucet for rc prints, and use the washer for fiber prints. The washer sits on the counter adjacent to the sink, and empties into the sink basin.

I put my finished prints on a framed screen that fits on top of my stove – but the screen can go anywhere. I have several framed screens that are stackable. A couple of times I forgot the stove had been left on. (Please, don’t ask. :( )

I’ve never felt crowded!

[ldhayden]

This is an interesting post. Small apartment in Tokyo used as a darkroom when prints are needed.

http://kenshukan.net/john/archives/2011/02/06/my-darkroom/

[cosmicexplosion]

Good, I'm a firm believer a car is the last thing that should go in the garage. Seems like something in the 8'x8' range should be doable. That should still leave half for your wife.

You might want to check out the darkroom portrait thread over on APUG if you haven't already. Might give you some inspiration.

http://www.apug.org/forums/forum43/10966-darkroom-portraits.html

Roger

thanks for link

will check out,

looks like the business.

[Rick A]

I currantly share my wife's 6'x8' utility room. I get a few shelves and the counter for printing and developing, use the kitchen to wash and process film in daylight tanks. My youngest daughter gets the half bath off the utility room for her enlarger(set up on the vanity), and shares my DR space for souping prints.

[neil poulsen]

Consider getting the 4 ft version of "The Sink". For example, B&H sells them.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/15734-REG/Delta_62470_The_Sink_II_ABS.html

I have one, and it's worked quite well. You can do 11x14 using stacked trays, 8x10 without. You could put two 16x20 trays side-by-side, have one for developing and a second one for stop, fix, etc. After developing, put the print into the second tray filled with stop. Then pour out the stop and pour in subsequent solutions using pitchers.

I built my own stand for it, and it's one of my particle board masterpieces. I have a drawer in it, an array of drying screens that will accept up to 16x20 prints, and enough room left over for trays, and a goodly number of containers, gadgets, etc.

[Darin Boville]

Great ideas...more, more!

I hate to my ignorance--or to confess I've always had these great darkrooms--but how exactly do "stacked trays" work? Do they work for 11x14....with a water bath around it?

--Darin

[banjo]

the darkroom that I have used most of the time is 7' x 8' with two 7' counters
as of now it has 3 Beseler 23CII in it & one 45mx Beseler just out side the door
and have had 3 people working it at the some time! that really make it fun
But it me most of the time with it been 8' that give you about 3' in the middle
to work with the counters on each side. with counter top giving up to 16x20
trays tite but it works with sink & room on counter top for printwasher too
I will be getting a new Darkroom some day soon I hope as this one is to small
for doing my summer workshops any more . Hoping that it will be 30' x 40'

banjo

[banjo]

hey on ebay Item number: 120673284314 buy it now $10.00
Darkroom Design And Construction, Kodak Data Book 1958
the one I have is a 1951 but they are about the same
anyway it has some good idas
also The Darkroom Handbook: a Complete Guide
Item number: 7525063430 buy it now $12.95
both are good book for what your asking

[Heroique]

How exactly do “stacked trays” work? Do they work for 11x14 with a water bath around it?

Most people say “stacked trays,” but I think “staggered trays” might better describe what a lot of people do to save space when prints are big.

For example, this helpful Thread (http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?t=61808&highlight=trays
) (see post #1) shows four staggered trays. (Now that’s a darkroom where space is at a premium.) You can imagine how one might configure this set-up for water baths, too.

Remember, stacking (or staggering) trays increases the risk of contaminating the developer. That’s why most people place the stop/fix trays on the lower level, to prevent any sloshing waves, or errant drips, from falling into the developer. The developer tray would be on the higher level.

[banjo]

my boss had a book that show one that was a set of Drawers
that the trays went in .the developer on top then pull out the
first Drawer and so on with washbath on the bottom

[Roger Thoms]

Here's the show your darkroom right here on LFPF.

http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?t=56044

Roger

[Peter Langham]

I have built 2 darkrooms in garages. My current one is 4' by 9' and I have been able to print up to 16x20. I still can park my tent trailer in the garage. The secret for me has been to build L shaped sinks. Drying rack and storage in the sink base. I have 1 double base cabinet on the floor with the enlarger (Saunders 4500), the sink and a wall hung cabinet. It is cozy but it works.

[ROL]

Not "compact" but it (http://www.rangeoflightphotography.com/pages/a-darkroom-portrait) does occupy half of my 2 car California garage, in which I manage up to 30"x40". The other half (http://www.rangeoflightphotography.com/pages/Fine%20Art%20Print%20Presentation) for presentation, storage (note kayaks :o ), tools, etc. - which my wife also shares as an auxiliary office. I only wish I had 3X the space available for presentation as for lab space.

[cosmicexplosion]

Not "compact" but it (http://www.rangeoflightphotography.com/pages/a-darkroom-portrait)half (http://www.rangeoflightphotography.com/pages/Fine%20Art%20Print%20Presentation)



nice dark room

noice website

will have to perv later

cheers

andrew

[sergiob]

The most efficient way of using space in a small darkroom I found, was using just one tray with all the chemicals on small containers ready to be dumped the tray. You start with the developer in the tray, and when you finish pour it back, then the stop and so on. The only drawback is you have to be very careful and clean it very well to avoid contamination when doing the next print. Its amazing the paper size you can process this way in a very tight place.