Since this question comes up fairly often, maybe this could be stickied. Folks can post any stuff I've forgotten, and other handy tools/materials they use. If you have a question about equipment start a new thread. Some of this stuff is optional, and may also depend on the techniques and chems you are using. Basic equipment/materials for BW film developing darkroom or darkbag (film changing bag): no safelight developing tank with reels thermometer scissors bottle cap opener: for opening 35mm cassettes string and clothes pins: for hanging to dry graduates, funnels, and storage jugs timer rubber gloves towels negative storage sheets film developer stop bath fixer hypo-clear: fixer remover photo-flo: wetting agent Basic equipment/materials for BW printing darkroom with safelight enlarger: chassis, power supply, timer, lens, film carriers multigrade contrast filter set easel: holds the paper under the enlarger trays: depending on your methods you will need at least 3, they need to be larger than your paper size tongs: handy for moving prints without dipping hands in chems timer or clock: for timing how long prints are in chems print washer: there are a lot of options here from repeated soaks in a tray of clean, frequently replaced water to fancy commercially made models print dryer: a line with clothes pins, a screen (preferably fiberglass or aluminum), to fancy store bought models graduates, funnels, and storage jugs grain magnifier print squeegee towels rubber gloves canned air or blower brush thermometer sheet of glass: for making contact prints paper paper developer stop bath fixer hypo clear: fixer remover for fiber paper Other stuff you may want spotting inks or spot pens toner tack iron, dry mount tissue, dry mount press mat cutter paper cutter burn/dodge kit: usually home made with cardboard and thin wire radio: it can be lonely in the dark
I say ditto on that radio. Especially if you're prone to the feeling that someone is going to sneak up on you even though you're alone in a locked room.:er:
I also have a small vacuum cleaner I only use for cleaning darkroom and camera gear. Don't use a vacuum that you use in the rest of your house, as you'll be draggin dust into the darkroom.
Yes, music or a radio is really important, it gets boring waiting sometimes. However, if the radio is turned up too loud it make it harder to hear people sneaking up on you
