Changing Up My Darkroom and Home Studio

Nokton48 · Feb 8, 2020

VC Contact Printing Source by Nokton48, on Flickr

I saw that Tim Layton built this unit, so followed his lead and I had fun building this. The ulility light was $10 at Home Depot, I removed the clamp mechanism. The box is made from foam core board and masking tape. I put my Multigrade 6x6" #00 & #5 variable contrast filters in cardboard frames, so I can change the filtering out by touch, under the dark safelights.

I tried a 7.5W bulb, amazingly way too bright for RC VC paper. So I ordered ROSCO ND sheets from B&H, in .6 and .3 densities. About a thirty second or longer time is what I am looking for, so I have time for burning and dodging.

The four suspension wires keeps the box level and keeps it from swinging around in the dark.

Garden of the Gods 1 by Nokton48, on Flickr

First attempt at VC contact printing with the new unit.

Nokton48 · Feb 8, 2020

8x10 XRay Dev Hanger by Nokton48, on Flickr

For use in my 8x10 Sinar Norma, I have some ERA 100, some very old HP5 (not+!) and a fresh box of Ilford Commercial Ortho+ I just got from B&H. $5.16 per 8x10 on the Commercial Ortho+.

I want to try XRAY film, so I bought 100 sheets of Fuji 8x10 HRU on Ebay. I just cut down this Kodak 8x10 Film Hanger, so now it fits in a Patterson 8x10 tray. Has anybody here ever tried this method?

I have a gallon of Acufine mixed up (and replenisher) and I be giving this a go soon.
40 cents for an 8x10, 20 cents for a 5x7, 10 cents for a 4x5 sheet. Now I will be able to play under the safelights.

mohmad khatab · Mar 24, 2020

Nokton48 said:
8x10 XRay Dev Hanger by Nokton48, on Flickr

For use in my 8x10 Sinar Norma, I have some ERA 100, some very old HP5 (not+!) and a fresh box of Ilford Commercial Ortho+ I just got from B&H. $5.16 per 8x10 on the Commercial Ortho+.

I want to try XRAY film, so I bought 100 sheets of Fuji 8x10 HRU on Ebay. I just cut down this Kodak 8x10 Film Hanger, so now it fits in a Patterson 8x10 tray. Has anybody here ever tried this method?

I have a gallon of Acufine mixed up (and replenisher) and I be giving this a go soon.
40 cents for an 8x10, 20 cents for a 5x7, 10 cents for a 4x5 sheet. Now I will be able to play under the safelights.

I have a friend who did an X-ray imaging experience, but then he felt remorse,
He filmed a portrait girlfriend using LARGE FORMAT on an Agfa X-ray film, and the picture was very poor.
I didn't see the picture, but my friend told me on the phone that it was a very bad experience.
- This type of photography may be suitable for recording specific photographic subjects that require this curious, bluish category.

bnxvs · Mar 25, 2020

I remembered an old joke about opera:
One person complains to another: “Why is everyone so passionate about this opera? There people do not know how to sing. They have no musical ear, and they even stutter! The second asks: “Have you been to the opera?” - "Not. My friend sang to me. "

https://www.largeformatphotography....film-technical-discussion-with-example-images

p.s. Fuji HR-U (green sens.) is a very good film. I manage to bring its sensitivity to 160 - 200 E.I. With good contrast. Its only drawback is a very gentle emulsion (which is generally characteristic of x-ray films). And this film is quite suitable for portraiture.

mohmad khatab · Mar 25, 2020

bnxvs said:
I remembered an old joke about opera:
One person complains to another: “Why is everyone so passionate about this opera? There people do not know how to sing. They have no musical ear, and they even stutter! The second asks: “Have you been to the opera?” - "Not. My friend sang to me. "

https://www.largeformatphotography....film-technical-discussion-with-example-images

p.s. Fuji HR-U (green sens.) is a very good film. I manage to bring its sensitivity to 160 - 200 E.I. With good contrast. Its only drawback is a very gentle emulsion (which is generally characteristic of x-ray films). And this film is quite suitable for portraiture.

I agree with you
And I'm really about an opera story.
Yes, I understood the significance of the example.
But in general,
X-ray films are from the Ortho family and are not sensitive to red. Therefore, I find that they are not ideal for photography and will produce inconsistent images.
Just as it was said before, the Norwegian flag will become the flag of Sweden and vice versa, the accuracy of the details in the shadows and the accuracy of the details in the light are not present.
- There is nothing that forces me to have a picture like that attached.

Nokton48 · Mar 25, 2020

I am hoping straight Acufine in smooth bottomed plastic Cesco trays will work for me. There is a wonderful portrait in that thread, made in this way

bnxvs · Mar 25, 2020

mohmad khatab said:
I agree with you
And I'm really about an opera story.
Yes, I understood the significance of the example.
But in general,
X-ray films are from the Ortho family and are not sensitive to red. Therefore, I find that they are not ideal for photography and will produce inconsistent images.
Just as it was said before, the Norwegian flag will become the flag of Sweden and vice versa, the accuracy of the details in the shadows and the accuracy of the details in the light are not present.
- There is nothing that forces me to have a picture like that attached.

I can only advise you to see the posts of Jay DeFehr. He experimented quite actively with x-ray film, portraiture, and various developers. Very successful, in my opinion.

mohmad khatab · Mar 25, 2020

bnxvs said:
I can only advise you to see the posts of Jay DeFehr. He experimented quite actively with x-ray film, portraiture, and various developers. Very successful, in my opinion.

Yes sir ,,
I browsed this forum and was impressed by the efforts made in this context.
They are interesting pictures.
But at the end of the day, she feels something is missing, and no one knows what it is!
The image resulting from the emulsion (ortho) is impossible to be in the same splendor and luster as the image produced by the emulsion (PAN).
Thank you, teacher. Greetings to you ,,
God bless you.

Nokton48 · Apr 3, 2020

Darkroom Renovation Phase 2 No 8 by Nokton48, on Flickr

Phase II construction now complete! Two new sinks and plenty of new storage space. Just moving everything around and loving it. Plenty of room for future storage.

Darkroom Renovation Phase 2 No 10 by Nokton48, on Flickr

Two new big changes; Ventilation above trays now hooked up (added a new 1500 CFM ceiling fan to pull odors), and in the sink, I am setting up a Kodak 8x10 3 1/2 gallon hard rubber 3F basket line. A deep tank for developer, one for stop, one for fixer, and a Kodak 8x10 3F Wash tank. Want to install additional bracing directly under all four tanks (not filled yet).

On the right side of the sink, is my setup for 8x10 RC paper developing and washing. Hang everything on clothespins in the other room.

Darkroom Renovation Phase 2 No 6 by Nokton48, on Flickr

Also my Contractor built this Omega Automega E3 5x7 Enlarging table to my design and specs. This is similar to the Omega E3/E4 tables that I have seen in the internet. I am pleased, also note the storage underneath

gorbas · Apr 3, 2020

Is this nuclear submarine interior or Aladdin's cave? Well done Dan! Congratulation!

Nokton48 · Apr 5, 2020

Hi Goran,
I got a laugh and a smile from your comments above.
Stay safe and stay well in these tough times.

Nokton48 · Apr 5, 2020

Hill Rd Statue Makiflex Auto 360mm f6.8 TeleXenar by Nokton48, on Flickr

Plaubel Auto Makiflex with 360mm f6.8 Schneider Tele-Xenar in Plaubel Makiflex auto-iris mount. My first test of this new to me lens. A nice compliment to my 360mm Tele-Arton, which is bigger and faster.

Ilford FP4+ in 120 Plaubel 6x9 Makina Back, ADOX Borax MQ Dev Aristo #2 5x7 RC Multigrade dev

gorbas · Apr 5, 2020

Nokton48 said:
I got a laugh and a smile from your comments above.

What else is left Dan?
Be safe too! Thank you

Nokton48 · Apr 6, 2020

Minolta Autocord Test Roll 1 by Nokton48, on Flickr

Minolta Autocord Test Roll 2 by Nokton48, on Flickr

Minolta Autocord Test Roll 3 by Nokton48, on Flickr

Minolta Autocord HP5+ ADOX Borax MQ Arista 5x7 RC #2 Multigrade dev

Nokton48 · Apr 10, 2020

gorbas said:
What else is left Dan?
Be safe too! Thank you

His Goran,
Well, this......................

Retro 70s Studio Storage Space by Nokton48, on Flickr

I'd like to finish this space so it is more comfortable to work in. A 60s-70s era commercial studio with plenty of shooting and storage space.

gorbas · Apr 10, 2020

Lots of interesting toys Dan! Is that top secret part of Aladdin's cave?

kreeger · Apr 10, 2020

Nokton48 said:
Phase II construction now complete! Two new sinks and plenty of new storage space. Just moving everything around and loving it. Plenty of room for future storage.

Darkroom Renovation Phase 2 No 10 by Nokton48, on Flickr

Dan, thanks for allowing us to live through the evolution of your spaces. You certainly have an esoteric group of tools, I have gear-envy for lots of your items. Looking around in the above image, I recognize two of Fred Picker's prints from the Print Club days on your wall.
I also keep one of his well known images in my print finishing area, right next to one of my own. After reading, and internalizing his Zone VI Workshop book, that image, I felt changed my approach to exposure, development and printing...
I felt lucky to obtain some of his prints back in the day.

Keep the progress photos coming...

Nokton48 · Apr 11, 2020

gorbas said:
Lots of interesting toys Dan! Is that top secret part of Aladdin's cave?

Yes Goran! Very Top Secret LOL

Nokton48 · Apr 12, 2020

kreeger said:
Dan, thanks for allowing us to live through the evolution of your spaces. You certainly have an esoteric group of tools, I have gear-envy for lots of your items. Looking around in the above image, I recognize two of Fred Picker's prints from the Print Club days on your wall.
I also keep one of his well known images in my print finishing area, right next to one of my own. After reading, and internalizing his Zone VI Workshop book, that image, I felt changed my approach to exposure, development and printing...
I felt lucky to obtain some of his prints back in the day.

View attachment 243674
Keep the progress photos coming...

Kreeger,
Thanks for your encouraging response. Since we are all "hunkered down" this is the perfect time to make some progress with these projects. Today I've been reforming some old Broncolor Monolights, and trying to make a bit of room to work. It's good fun and keeps me going forward, as my close friend said recently, I'll have complete control of the entire process from beginning to end.

I have four of Picker's original 8x10 prints (bought them recently), and all the ZVI books too. Having reference prints of good quality is very important to me, Fred was right about that.

Recently I bought a beautiful Tim Layton 8x10 contact print and that is on display in the darkroom as well.

Nokton48 · Apr 24, 2020

Darkroom Reno II No 5 by Nokton48, on Flickr

Darkroom Reno II No 4 by Nokton48, on Flickr

Darkroom Reno II No 3 by Nokton48, on Flickr

Darkroom Reno II No 2 by Nokton48, on Flickr

Darkroom Reno II No 1 by Nokton48, on Flickr

Moving things around............

scheimfluger_77 · Apr 24, 2020

Pretty nice lookin’! Git to-it!

Nokton48 · Apr 24, 2020

Yes Sir! You betcha!

Nokton48 · May 7, 2020

Next Big Project. Studio Reorganization and eventual renovation.

Studio Renovation 1 by Nokton48, on Flickr

I've been cleaning and organizing things. Lots of progress but a ways to go. Just bought a 1500ws Broncolor Strobe Pack, and another Plaubel Peco Profia 4x5 technical camera.

On the FOBA DIMIL Sweep Table, I have set up a copy stand, using one of my Plaubel Makiflexes, which are vibration-free cameras perfect with SLR reflex viewing.

Studio Renovation 2 by Nokton48, on Flickr

Full size background and storage of lighting

Studio Renovation 3 by Nokton48, on Flickr

FOBA Mini Tripod and light stands made from Combitubes, and FOBA Clamps and Acessories. This works on the DIMIL Sweep Table.

Studio Renovation 4 by Nokton48, on Flickr

Here's my lighting stuff now neatly stored away, and I can now find what I need quickly!

Nokton48 · Oct 2, 2020

Kodak 3F Basket Line 1 by Nokton48, on Flickr

8x10 Kodak hard rubber deep tanks I am setting up. At least this is where I want to put them.

Kodak 3F Basket Line 2 by Nokton48, on Flickr

Detail on 3F basket line. Thinking I will either run replenished D23 or maybe Harvey's 777 if I can mesh with those guys in Kentucky
Can do 54 4x5s in one run

CMoore · Oct 2, 2020

Nokton48 said:
Kodak 3F Basket Line 1 by Nokton48, on Flickr

8x10 Kodak hard rubber deep tanks I am setting up. At least this is where I want to put them.

Kodak 3F Basket Line 2 by Nokton48, on Flickr

Detail on 3F basket line. Thinking I will either run replenished D23 or maybe Harvey's 777 if I can mesh with those guys in Kentucky
Can do 54 4x5s in one run

“The secret of getting ahead is getting started.”
― Mark Twain

...... Love your quote of Twain

Your facility look like The Real Deal.!

I am, or will be when out house sells, involved in a garage conversion.
I will have quite a bit of work to do, much more than i am capable of doing by myself.
But when it is finished, i hope to have a decent darkroom, small "studio"..... and a full bath.
I will have to stub over a toilet and install a New/Modern water heater to replace the old unit......then i can also make room for a walk-in shower.

I have not participated in so much as developing a roll of 35mm in almost a year.
I am ready to get back into this stuff.

Time will tell

Nokton48 · Oct 6, 2020

Thanks CMoore! This will always be a work in progress, I guess.

New Backgrounds in Studio 1 by Nokton48, on Flickr

I've picked up a nice seamless paper background system from B&H, which uses three plastic chains to raise and lower the paper at will. Very cool good working system. So far I have black, super white, and blue jay colored paper. Rolls right down, neatly and super quick rolls back up out of the way

I also hung up two painted James Bright canvas backgrounds, which are quite cool. And I have two more narrow hand painted backgrounds out in front, fairly easy to raise and lower.

This is a work in progress but I am getting where I want to be with this. I do have more parts coming from B&H.

Every studio needs a good background system.

Changing Up My Darkroom and Home Studio

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