Darkroom in construction, finishing

[Pere Casals]

Still some work to do, like finishing the ATL 2500+ custom electronics retrofit, and a "concrete mixer" type drum for developing big prints with one shot chem. The Drytec HGP 260 just painted, manufacturer kindly told us the paint reference code.

One of the 138S has that accessory for convenient horizontal projection. It is planned to reach RA-4 capability in some two months... we'll see !

In the sink (in construction) it can be seen a Durst RCP 20 "photo processor" that would speed up RA-4 test strips.

[Tin Can]

Good to see gear and progress

Keep working!

[Fred L]

oohhh, that sink !

[Pere Casals]

Good to see gear and progress

Keep working!

Thanks ! Next challenge is crafting nice big prints from 5x7, for the moment up to the size the Drytec allows. The projection of the negative looks atonishing in crazy fine detail... That Drytec is pure luxury, so it's about working fine to deserve such a privilege.

Also the 8x10 conversion for the 138 is in course.

oohhh, that sink !

Yeah, a convenient sink is a true workhorse, this one is 800mm wide. It was cut to 2,7m long to enter in the room, made of AISI 304, it resulted cheap as it is totally DIY, being the bulk metal sheet (2.3€/kg) the single cost.

[Willie]

"a "concrete mixer" type drum for developing big prints with one shot chem."

For the sake of space why not a temporary dam type of tray in the sink?
You make it with a section that can be easily removed to dump chemistry. To fill you dump chemistry into it and then open the tray for dumping the one shot chemistry after each step. 2x4's and plastic sheeting work well for this and when not in use they are put away and take up a lot less storage space.

[Pere Casals]

"a "concrete mixer" type drum for developing big prints with one shot chem."

For the sake of space why not a temporary dam type of tray in the sink?

You are right, better starting without complications, I'll do that. I'll glue a little dam with silicone... little chem may be necessary to process a large print in the sink, I'd use a 700mm wide "brush" to spread the chem continuously over the print.

[Willie]

I don't remember the name but a well known woman photographer had a tray made for very large prints. It has a removable dam section at one end for dumping chemistry. She introduced/changed chemistry by dumping a bucket of it directly on the print at each stage of processing.
My Uncle told me about her and it seems she may have been doing 30 to 40 inch prints this way.

[Tin Can]

Yes, I have read about a few fill dump systems, one with a tilting tray to drain into buckets for reuse

Good because the actual print is handled less

Still gotta wrestle the wet noodle out to dry it

Maybe a lifting screen under the print the entire process, to dry, almost like making paper...

[Pere Casals]

Yes... something like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-3IBi5tC08

___

A tour https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKF0Upt1vOg

[Tin Can]

Good video, roll with it....