What's new

Developing film without a dark room?

Well, not really.
Just load the developing tank in the dark. This is how we all do it.
I currently use a Paterson change (dark) bag ... you get used to not seeing and just feeling.
Back in my minilab days we had a box which was easier since you didn't have to fight the bag material.
 
Well, not really.
Just load the developing tank in the dark. This is how we all do it.
I currently use a Paterson change (dark) bag ... you get used to not seeing and just feeling.
Back in my minilab days we had a box which was easier since you didn't have to fight the bag material.

Thank you for the clarification. I've seen a lot of Paterson stuff, didn't know they made a bag, but I've seen the developing tank, which is on my list.

Oh, and a film leader retriever is handy ... but always keep a bottle cap opener around (ask sparky mentioned) when you need to just crack open a 35mm cannister.

I've seen the cap opener quite a few times in videos, I'll have to get one.
 
... and the opener helps with getting those beers open while you wait between agitation.
 
Just wait. Next, you'll want a bulk loader to spool off your own rolls of analog bliss.
 
... the row of dunk tanks for those sheets of 4x5 ... then comes the custom built blow dryer film hanging cabinet ... then figuring out how to get that floor standing large format enlarger to fit between the toilet and the bathtub ...
 
..... then trying to find a cheap apartment that has room for a darkroom after your wife kicks you out..........
 
Blissfully single. Lots of cameras cars motorcycles,ect. Not to mention peace and quiet. Just could never accept the possibility of having to give up half my stuff should it go south.

Yeah I develop in the bathroom and use a changing bag to load the reel. Hewes reels are the chit.
 
I've been thinking about where I would do my developing, it seems like the bathroom would be easiest, just need to cover the window and seal up the gaps at the door.
A bathroom is not as well-suited as you think. The main thing that a bathroom has that some other room might not have is a drain.

You will need a small work table at the very least, so if your bathroom countertop has some extra space, then maybe it will work. Don't even bother trying to make your bathroom dark. 1.) You cannot get it dark enough and 2.) you must open film canisters in complete darkness. So use a changing bag instead of trying to make the whole room dark.

It is a rare bathroom indeed that is actually large enough and with enough counter space to function as a decent darkroom. Besides; if you live with someone, I can guarantee there will be strife.

If you don't mind carrying liquids back and forth, you can set up a darkroom (for making prints) just about anywhere. I once had a darkroom in a walk-in closet with no running water or drain. I just carried the jugs and trays to the bathroom or kitchen as opportunity arose.

For film, you load it in complete darkness, both B&W and color. Load it into the developing tank, and when the lid is on securely, then you no longer need darkness.

For printing B&W prints on paper, you open and handle the paper in your darkroom that is lighted with a safelight. The enlarger exposes the paper with a white light, but just for the prescribed time only. You develop paper prints in trays on the table/countertop. You will need shelves and work space more than anything else.

For color printing, you need darkness to handle the color print paper, and the trays must be kept at a constant temperature, so having a long shallow sink will let you place the trays in a water bath to hold the proper temperature.
 
.........It is a rare bathroom indeed that is actually large enough and with enough counter space to function as a decent darkroom. ............

For a couple years, I set a sheet of plywood on my bathtub and used that as a 'counter'. Yes, way too low to be sure. But functional for the enlarger and trays.

......
For color printing, you need darkness to handle the color print paper, and the trays must be kept at a constant temperature,............

There are color print papers that can use a safelight. And there are daylight developing systems (drums) for them as well.
 
... and the opener helps with getting those beers open while you wait between agitation.

Beer will be a must while developing, probably the best part of the experience.

Just wait. Next, you'll want a bulk loader to spool off your own rolls of analog bliss.

Not sure I want to do bulk loading, I just watched a video, it's intriguing idea, but preloaded film is more my speed at the moment.

... the row of dunk tanks for those sheets of 4x5 ... then comes the custom built blow dryer film hanging cabinet ... then figuring out how to get that floor standing large format enlarger to fit between the toilet and the bathtub ...

A little bit over kill for me, but I will have to figure out what to do about developing 4x5 film eventually.

..... then trying to find a cheap apartment that has room for a darkroom after your wife kicks you out..........

Will most likely install a shed in my backyard and make it light tight for a darkroom before that ever happens :p.

I've been thinking about where I would do my developing, it seems like the bathroom would be easiest, just need to cover the window and seal up the gaps at the door.
A bathroom is not as well-suited as you think. The main thing that a bathroom has that some other room might not have is a drain.

You will need a small work table at the very least, so if your bathroom countertop has some extra space, then maybe it will work. Don't even bother trying to make your bathroom dark. 1.) You cannot get it dark enough and 2.) you must open film canisters in complete darkness. So use a changing bag instead of trying to make the whole room dark.

It is a rare bathroom indeed that is actually large enough and with enough counter space to function as a decent darkroom. Besides; if you live with someone, I can guarantee there will be strife.

If you don't mind carrying liquids back and forth, you can set up a darkroom (for making prints) just about anywhere. I once had a darkroom in a walk-in closet with no running water or drain. I just carried the jugs and trays to the bathroom or kitchen as opportunity arose.

For film, you load it in complete darkness, both B&W and color. Load it into the developing tank, and when the lid is on securely, then you no longer need darkness.

For printing B&W prints on paper, you open and handle the paper in your darkroom that is lighted with a safelight. The enlarger exposes the paper with a white light, but just for the prescribed time only. You develop paper prints in trays on the table/countertop. You will need shelves and work space more than anything else.

For color printing, you need darkness to handle the color print paper, and the trays must be kept at a constant temperature, so having a long shallow sink will let you place the trays in a water bath to hold the proper temperature.

Ummm.... a bathroom will probably be good enough for just developing the film, didn't say it would be perfect, fortunately, I have no kids, but I do have a 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom house, 1 room is a bedroom, 1 is an office with the computers, the other isn't suitable for darkroom use.
 
I've been thinking about where I would do my developing, it seems like the bathroom would be easiest, just need to cover the window and seal up the gaps at the door.

If I do that, can I use a red safelight for both black and white and color films when I take them out of the canister?

NO !!!!!

For most B&W film you want ABSOLUTE DARKNESS when you pull it out of the cartridge (35mm), load the reel and put it into the tank.
Use a LARGE changing bag. While it can be done, it will be difficult to absolutely light proof a bathroom, especially if it has a window.

Printing has a different requirement, and you can use a safelight.
 
Everything's been answered already, but I also develop both b&w and color. Here's how I do mine, been doing it this way for 10-ish years now, so if it ain't broke...

I use a changing bag, steel tank/reels, and do everything in my sink.

For b&w I use room temperature distilled water that I keep under my sink to mix my chemicals and use the ilford washing technique with distilled water as well. (Fill the tank with water, invert 5 times and then empty. Repeat with 10 inversions, 15, 20, then photoflo)

For color, I use unicolor powder kit. My kitchen sink water temperature comes out around 170° so I'm able to get my chemicals up to 102 pretty quickly. I mix my stabilizer with distilled water since it's the final step.

The distilled water is for reducing water spots. I always get them with tap water..

scans with my film scanner..
 
Last edited:

Most reactions

Back
Top Bottom