auntiemaryscanarys new darkroom

Having just fitted a couple of network ports into my darkroom, I suppose you will never need to add any?
 
StephenM said:
Having just fitted a couple of network ports into my darkroom, I suppose you will never need to add any?
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Er, being as I don't know what they are the answer is no. I will have a computer via WiFi, if I use my Epson V500 that will be via USB and I think my 3d printer can connect via either.

I'm pretty sure my two Meopta enlargers and the big 5x4 enlarger won't require a network connection :)
 
They let you plug in an ethernet cable to connect a device to the network. My Epson 3880 has an ethernet port, so can be used by any computer on our network. Previously, it required having the darkroom door open and an ethernet cable trailing across the corridor into another room to connect to the switch.

It does mean I could take a portable computer into the darkroom to use the scanner, and transfer the large files direct to the primary RAID system. You probably won't need such a thing, but you might...
 
StephenM said:
They let you plug in an ethernet cable to connect a device to the network. My Epson 3880 has an ethernet port, so can be used by any computer on our network. Previously, it required having the darkroom door open and an ethernet cable trailing across the corridor into another room to connect to the switch.

It does mean I could take a portable computer into the darkroom to use the scanner, and transfer the large files direct to the primary RAID system. You probably won't need such a thing, but you might...
Click to expand...
I understand a little more what they are now but I'm certain I won't require one. Any device connection will be solely by a 4g SIM router with peripherals possibly by USB from the WiFi connected computer. I won't be digging a 30m+ trench to run an ethernet cable from the house down to the shed/darkroom.
 
The 5x4 enlarger has been retrieved from the garage with bonus that some of the excess timbyer has been stored in the garage loft until it's needed. Who'd have thought that moving a huge enlarger would free up space!

I started to reassemble the enlarger but have got stuck on how to get the bellows section onto the horizontal shaft - the head goes on top of the bellows section. I consulted the disassembly pics I took at the time of purchase but will read the online manual this evening. Basically I've not got one knob in the right position for that section to slide on.

As the darkroom isn't fully light tight yet I went to have a look at the safelight after dark yesterday.

Initial thoughts were looks good and not as bright (36w tube) as I thought it would be.

rsz_1img_20260319_195015855_hdr.jpg

Then I noticed a noticed a small strip of white light on the internal diffuser fins. Taking the diffuser off one the 2 two seals on the film that wraps the fluorescent tube isn't sealed.

15723.jpg

I can't get at the filter film as it's covered in an outer plastic tube. Unsurprisingly I'm disappointed. I'll see when the supplier says but may be on a sticky wicket as I bought it 2 months ago even though it remained in its (v good) postal packaging. These tubes aren't cheap.
 
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auntiemaryscanary said:
The 5x4 enlarger has been retrieved from the garage with bonus that some of the excess timbyer has been stored in the garage loft until it's needed. Who'd have thought that moving a huge enlarger would free up space!

I started to reassemble the enlarger but have got stuck on how to get the bellows section onto the horizontal shaft - the head goes on top of the bellows section. I consulted the disassembly pics I took at the time of purchase but will read the online manual this evening. Basically I've not got one knob in the right position for that section to slide on.

As the darkroom isn't fully light tight yet I went to have a look at the safelight after dark yesterday.

Initial thoughts were looks good and not as bright (36w tube) as I thought it would be.

View attachment 477391

Then I noticed a noticed a small strip of white light on the internal diffuser fins. Taking the diffuser off one the 2 two seals on the film that wraps the fluorescent tube isn't sealed.

View attachment 477392

I can't get at the filter film as it's covered in an outer plastic tube. Unsurprisingly I'm disappointed. I'll see when the supplier says but may be on a sticky wicket as I bought it 2 months ago even though it remained in its (v good) postal packaging. These tubes aren't cheap.
Click to expand...

That's some safelight there. WOW!
 
Well it's been a trial the last 5 days trying to get the bellows component onto the horizontal arm but I got there! I was struggling to find the correct setting that disengages the locking pin and the manual wasn't any help.

rsz_img_20260324_103716074.jpg

Unconventional methods were required - I removed the machined control shaft and I then levered the retaining pin out the way to slide the bellows unit onto the arm and inserted the "safety" grub screw. The bellows are safe and secure on the arm but currently I don't have the ability to rotate the bellows to say enlarge off the wall but I can live without that.

rsz_2img_20260324_103902042.jpg

The removed control shaft. At some point I'll have another go at correct assembly but for now we are good.

The table part isn't fitted yet as the laminated finish has lifted in a couple of places so that will be glued back.

A couple of new issues: the transformer (visible in pic 1) may a need a little shelf to live on or at least the enlarger timer will and I didn't fully think through electric fitments!

rsz_img_20260324_103921578_hdr.jpg

Both the new issues are easily resolved with the light fitting being moved 12" to the right which will another 4" of height for the enlarger head. I am mightily relieved to have this enlarger in the place that it will live long term!!

@Barney I'd been saying it's a 5x4 (should I say small number 1st?) but I'd forgotten it's a 7x5/5x7.
 
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auntiemaryscanary said:
Well it's been a trial the last 5 days trying to get the bellows component onto the horizontal arm but I got there! I was struggling to find the correct setting that disengages the locking pin and the manual wasn't any help.

View attachment 477656

Unconventional methods were required - I removed the machined control shaft and I then levered the retaining pin out the way to slide the bellows unit onto the arm and inserted the "safety" grub screw. The bellows are safe and secure on the arm but currently I don't have the ability to rotate the bellows to say enlarge off the wall but I can live without that.

View attachment 477657

The removed control shaft. At some point I'll have another go at correct assembly but for now we are good.

The table part isn't fitted yet as the laminated finish has lifted in a couple of places so that will be glued back.

A couple of new issues: the transformer (visible in pic 1) may a need a little shelf to live on or at least the enlarger timer will and I didn't fully think through electric fitments!

View attachment 477658

Both the new issues are easily resolved with the light fitting being moved 12" to the right which will another 4" of height for the enlarger head. I am mightily relieved to have this enlarger in the place that it will live long term!!

@Barney I'd been saying it's a 5x4 (should I say small number 1st?) but I'd forgotten it's a 7x5/5x7.
Click to expand...
In the UK, I've only ever heard it called 5x4.
 
Today I was finally able to close both the internal door on the darkroom and the "fire exit" for the first time.

Absolute, complete 100% darkness. I was stunned!! Had a good 10 mins in there (v sunny day) and no light leaks anywhere, not from the ventilation systems, walls, doors or ceilings.

It will be my last day of darkroom construction tomorrow (for now) and Saturday will be clean and set up. It's taken a month longer than planned but my meticulous light proofing as I've been going along has worked perfectly.

Will post darkroom pics later Saturday or more likely Sunday.
 
Well done.
 
A few quick pics of the inexpensive ventilation system

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Mains to 12vdc transformer (£12), fan (up to 235 CFM, £20), bends to stop light.

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Controller (£5)

Was doing final, final construction yesterday. Clean and set up today.
 
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...darkroom side part 1..

19092.jpg
Just checking all is working.

rsz_1img_20260426_164711906_hdr.jpg

The beast of a 5x7 colour enlarger. Also shows the "fire exit". It's a stable door so I can have the top half open when, say, deving negs once they are in the tank. LPL 16x 20 easel.

rsz_1img_20260426_164725817.jpg

35mm Meopta enlarger, not sure it's going to stay there. Neg light box. The internal door showing my poor joinery skills, the door is very heavy! I'll buy some more blackout material and attach to this side of the door solely to cover the messy woodwork.

rsz_1img_20260426_164158112.jpg

Random 6x6 120 (colour) neg. Not that you can tell but the enlargement isn't that large. Probably as I grabbed the easiest lens to hand and it's a LF 150mm.
 
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... darkroom side part 2 and final.

rsz_img_20260426_164736705_hdr.jpg

The wet side with the long worktop. The spare blackout material is temporarily acting as cupboard curtains.

rsz_img_20260426_164755876.jpg

Sink. To the left is the neg drying cabinet with space at the rear for four sub mini negs 16 and/or 9.2m, in the middle two x 120 and front three x 135.

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Two dev tanks plus my homemade sub mini "periscope" Dev tank. I loaded exposed film (2 x 120, 1 X 35mm and 2 x 120) into these two years ago but haven't yet souped them. Will be dev'd this week.

Well I'm now shattered but really looking forward to using and enjoying my retirement shed.

To do:
1. Lay and bury 100ft of water pipe.
2. Connect up a waste water pipe - currently the sink discharged into a 25l barrel.
3. Collect all my darkroom equipment from the tool shed and around the house.
4. Use the excess tongue and groove and ply to make cupboard doors and shelving for under both worktops.
.
It's been bloody hard work but I am thoroughly pleased with the end result.
 
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Nice!

My only addition would be to add a bolt (or 2) so the stable door cant be accidentally opened when using the adjacent enlarger. Only needs to be strong enough to handle a little bump, allowing a hefty shove to "extract" a screw or 2 in case of emergency.
 
Got shelves in under the worktops today. Also connected up the waste water.

I fished out all my dev tanks, trays, jugs and other miscellaneous developing equipment out the shed - it all needs a good wash unsurprisingly. I've probably got too much "stuff" but any excess I'll put in the for sale section.

Be good to get developing and enlarging now.
 
I've got in minor trouble from my darling wife and children for mixing up dev, stop & fix in the kitchen.

"That's what you've got a darkroom for!!!"

Said darkroom surfaces are cluttered with stuff to go on the shelves... Kitchen drainer and worktops are full of drying dev tanks, spirals, trays, measuring cylinders, thermometers...:D:)
 
Once you've got it organised, you MIGHT have room in your space to do it. In the meantime, "I just want to spend time with my family rather than locking myself away all day..."
 
First deving session in the darkroom.

19800.jpg

I'm having a great time, looking up Dev times, sloshing chemicals about, singing along to the wireless etc.

Processed 3 tanks - not a single film in any of them!!! Crikey :D
 
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