Darkroom DIY

[Pete Askew]

Today I decided to install the additional water filters I had bought for the darkroom in Germany. I've had odd problems with water quality over the past year which the main 100µm filter is not dealing with, so today I installed a 5µm filter on the temperature controlled feed to the negative and print washes and an activated carbon then 5µm filter to the negative processor. Reagents are usually prepared with deionised water but I can now also use mains water filtered to 5µm should I wish. Now all I need to do is develop some films to see if the it has improved the situation - although it was intermittent before anyway. Here's the finished installation

New water filtration unit to film developer

Additional filtration (blue) to washing system

The blue unit is a standard industrial water filter but the second came from eBay in Germany and had been a dosing system for a medical X-ray unit (but the filter housing are standard). I removed the solenoid valve and pressure regulator from the unit as it was set for too low a pressure (I use 4 bar) and I need to change the pressure gauge for one in the right range. All flushed through and ready to go!

 

[Brian Moore]

Very cool, Pete. Most I can fit into my lifestyle is a changing bag and a two reel canister.

Do you develop color film at all?

 

[Pete Askew]

Not any more Brian and never did in the German darkroom (although I think there is some old E6 chemistry kicking around). For colour I now only use digital although I have been tempted a couple of times. But if I'm going to scan negatives anyway the appeal isn't there.

 

[Chris Dodkin]

That's one sweet looking set-up Pete

So how much dev do you do a month?

 

[Pete Askew]

It varies hugely Chris. This month just a few rolls of 120. But in November I processed a lot of 5x4. I'm about to start a couple of film-based projects and so I guess I'll be processing about 5-10 rolls a week of 120 and in March I want to do some more work on 5x4. I haven't done any printing for a few months and have a backlog but in February I will be doing some in the UK and in March a load here in Potsdam.

In both darkrooms the setup is aimed at convenience. I use the film machines if I just have a couple of rolls otherwise I use deep-tanks if it's a bigger campaign.

 

[Hamish Gill]

this thread really makes me realise why the odd spot of dust on a photo bothers you ... you obviously have a serious commitment to getting flawless photos!
This is an impressive set up imo
One day... I wil have something similar! and the dust will be gone for good!!!

 

[Pete Askew]

It's not so much 35mm or even 120 but dust on 5x4 where you only have one shot that really drives the obsession! And it is always somewhere where spotting is really tricky!!

 

[Hamish Gill]

Have you posted any large format work on the forum before Pete?

 

[Pete Askew]

Not from film I don't think as I don't have many prints from 5x4 scanned. I'll have a look and see. If not, over the next few months there will be some new ones. And a fair bit from 6x6 as three of the project ideas I have are film based.

 

[Hamish Gill]

6x6 the medium format, or is there a 6x6 large format too?
I can see how this could be confusing to people, I'm a bit confused an I claim to know a little about this sort f thing

 

[Pete Askew]

No, 6x6 as in cm or 2¼" x 2¼" on 120 film. Medium format in other words.

 

[Hamish Gill]

Things are much easier when as humans we stick to one system or another ... But no we have to make it slightly harder for our selves and make it so 5x4 is considerably bigger than 6x6

 

[Stephen Baker]

Just having a look through the analogue processing, and am very impressed in your darkroom Pete.. Mine is a bit of a ongoing project but is starting to get where I want it..

do you use the jobo for B & W processing ?.... just wondered as I have only used mine for colour, someone told me that B & W didn't work very well in a rotary machine, but I suppose I should try it for myself some time.

Stephen.

 

[Pete Askew]

Hi Stephen, actually I haven't processed any colour film for several years now and the Jobo is used solely for B&W these days. I nearly always shoot either Delta or HP5 and mostly 120 or 5x4. I use ID11 as my developer of choice and the Jobo does a perfect job (I run it at 24ºC and have set a programme for it). I have a second machine in the UK but mostly I process in a deep tank there. I'm very fussy about getting development right and I have never had problems with the Jobo. Having said that, I much prefer Patterson-style spirals.

Which model do you use?

 

[Stephen Baker]

I just use a cpe 2 with the manual lift arm, it seems to work very well for my E-6 and C-41 but I am now thinking about trying some black and white with the jobo, I guess I would be better off using it on the slowest rotation speed..I am normally a neopan acros and rodinal man, so I am not sure how that will work. having said that I am always willing to try a different B & W developer for the jobo.

I must be a bit like you about being a bit fussy, and sometimes cringe when I see images uploaded complete with scratches , hair and fluff showing on them..I get on ok with the jobo spirals as I like loading two 120 films onto a spiral at a time.

 

[Rob MacKillop]

It's funny - I have absolutely no idea what you are all talking about But don't let that stop you!

 

[Pete Askew]

Wait till you've done your course Rob. We'll never stop you wittering on about the effect of developer concentration and temperature on acutance!