Changing Up My Darkroom and Home Studio

[Nokton48]

Omega DII Modification 3 by Nokton48, on Flickr

I found an article about modifying the DII so that the neg stage becomes adjustable. I bought a box of thumb screws from McMaster Carr, and washers and bolts too. Now my neg stage is adjustable.

url=https://flic.kr/p/SYUCbf]

[/url]Modified DII lensboards 2 by Nokton48, on Flickr

I also modified my DII lensboards, so that the lens planes of each are adjustable. I drilled and tapped each board, and put a layer of computer mouse pad between each top and bottom of each finished board. Used thumbscrews from McMaster Carr. So now I will use the Versalab Parallel Laser Alignment Tool to set the enlarger completely parallel each time I set enlarger height. Only makes a minute to do this each time.

Modified DII lensboards by Nokton48, on Flickr

Here are all the finished adjustable lens boards. I like the original silver Schneider Componons, I find them entirely adequate for my uses. I do have one much more modern black 180mm Rodenstock, which I have always used for printing 16x20s from 4x5

 

[Nokton48]

My New Delta Six Foot Darkroom Sink by Nokton48, on Flickr

Just drove all the way across town, and bought this Delta 6 foot Darkroom Sink for Fifty Bucks It sells new at B&H for almost $800, when you figure in the freight. I think it will hold three 16x20 Patterson trays so I think I am good to go. This will work well with the Kreonite 4x4' Sink to it's left, and the Calumet 16x20 print washer in between the two sinks.

Not too shabby! Needs to be pressure washed thoroughly, though Yuck! No cracks I can see, soon will be as good as new.

 

[Nokton48]

Delta Drain Faucet Set by Nokton48, on Flickr

This is the Delta Faucet/Drain set that will restore my new sink, I ordered it today. There was one on my new to me sink but it was completely rotten and I removed it. Might as well replace all with new. When you total everything up at the Lowes or Home Depot it's prolly cheaper to buy this from B&H!

 

[Neal]

I love your lens plate mod. I use the same thumb screws (also purchased from McMaster-Carr) on my D5.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

where is the fridge for the beer?

 

[Nokton48]

where is the fridge for the beer?

Upstairs!

 

[Nokton48]

Work is proceeding at a good clip. We are about half done installing the new drop ceiling. I'm getting very confident with the vintage Mitre Saw on the new Harbor Freight saw stand. Making lots of sawdust and vacuuming it up right away.

 

[Nokton48]

Plans Matte Print Dryer by Nokton48, on Flickr

Here's the Petersons Photographic article from the 70s, that I've been thinking about. I have fresh blotter sheets from Freestyle (25 of them 20x24), and I've ordered corrugated cardboard sheets same size (a carton of them), which will dry a pile of 16x20s in a couple of days time. By building this matte print dryer, it would speed up the drying process to just a few hours.

When I get more of the major darkroom building tasks completed, I will start to accumulate the materials to build this project.

 

[Nokton48]

"I love your lens plate mod. I use the same thumb screws (also purchased from McMaster-Carr) on my D5."

Thanks Neal Actually you're the one that gave me the idea to do these modifications.

 

[Nokton48]

Fred Picker Signed Prints by Nokton48, on Flickr


I'm framing these two original Fred Picker prints, and hanging them in my darkroom as reference prints. Fred ran Zone VI Studios for many years and he was early inspiration for me.

 

[Nokton48]

Vintage Delta Miter Saw Harbor Freight Miter Stand by Nokton48, on Flickr

My Father in Law just gave me this vintage Delta Miter Saw. I bought a heavy duty Miter Saw Stand at Harbor Freight, just put it together. I am going to learn to make darkroom work tables and storage and legs under darkroom sinks. This is a badass miter saw.

I also bought a laser to modernize it, and an extra Irwin 10" 200 teeth fine cutting blade. Almost good to go.

 

[Nokton48]

Ilford Multigrade 6x6 Set NOS by Nokton48, on Flickr

I grabbed the NOS set of 6x6" Ilford Multigrade filters. I think I can just lay the gel on top of the neg carrier, should be far enough out of focus? My Omega heads to not have a filter tray, although I suppose I could build one out of metal? Or just lay the gels on top. What do you Guys think?

I have a bit of VC paper in house.......... But mostly old frozen graded

 

[Nokton48]

Plans Matte Print Dryer by Nokton48, on Flickr

Here's the Petersons Photographic article from the 70s, that I've been thinking about. I have fresh blotter sheets from Freestyle (25 of them 20x24), and I've ordered corrugated cardboard sheets same size (a carton of them), which will dry a pile of 16x20s in a couple of days time. By building this matte print dryer, it would speed up the drying process to just a few hours.

When I get more of the major darkroom building tasks completed, I will start to accumulate the materials to build this project.

 

[Nokton48]

Build Dry Mount Press by Nokton48, on Flickr

There's this, too.................

 

[Pieter12]

ford Multigrade 6x6 Set NOS by Nokton48, on Flickr

I grabbed the NOS set of 6x6" Ilford Multigrade filters. I think I can just lay the gel on top of the neg carrier, should be far enough out of focus? My Omega heads to not have a filter tray, although I suppose I could build one out of metal? Or just lay the gels on top. What do you Guys think?

I have a bit of VC paper in house.......... But mostly old frozen graded

Ilford makes a below-the-lens filter kit. Easier than having to put a filter on top of the negative carrier, something that won't work anyway if you want to do split-grade printing.

 

[MattKing]

Ilford makes a below-the-lens filter kit. Easier than having to put a filter on top of the negative carrier, something that won't work anyway if you want to do split-grade printing.

+1
The below the lens filters work well.

 

[Nokton48]

Thanks! I'll look into it. The below the lens kits are cheap and easy to find.
Still want those 6x6"s though..............

I want to build a simple hang lamp with filter frame for contact printing.

 

[Nokton48]

Here you can see the drop ceiling starting to go in. You can see the 2x4's we ran around the perimeter above the concrete block walls. We need to rearrange some ductwork; will finish that hurdle on Monday. The gas pipe will run below the drop ceiling; don't want to mess with it, and if we ever decide to sell the house (which I seriously doubt!!), want to have it still hooked up (used to have a gas fireplace and it could be easily hooked back up). In the near right corner ducting will hang down, then go up into the drop ceiling. Easiest way to deal with it. Also this plan preserves the extra tall ceiling height.



I am pleased so far! When we finish the ceiling the real photo fun will begin.

Darkroom Drop Ceiling by Nokton48, on Flickr

 

[AgX]

Now my neg stage is adjustable.

I also modified my DII lensboards, so that the lens planes of each are adjustable. I drilled and tapped each board, and put a layer of computer mouse pad between each top and bottom of each finished board. Used thumbscrews from McMaster Carr.

So now I will use the Versalab Parallel Laser Alignment Tool to set the enlarger completely parallel each time I set enlarger height. Only makes a minute to do this each time.

Why do you have to adjust the lens cones each time again? More so the negative stage?

 

[Nokton48]

Once everything is set parallel, it might not need to be checked each time. But it is a quick easy process to do so, so why not? Time will tell.

 

[Nokton48]

Drop Ceiling about half done by Nokton48, on Flickr

Today's progress, the drop ceiling is about half done! The difficult part of the work is over. Rerouting ducts, cutting around disconnected gas pipes, and various interesting construction roadblocks. The other half will be easy-peasy, and go quickly! Then on to installing the sinks, new electricals, and plumbing. Much more fun and interesting than this part of it. But WOW I'm glad I went for the drop ceiling. Really finishes the space!

I hope to have EVERYTHING completed by middle of spring.

 

[Nokton48]

Drop Ceiling Getting There 1 by Nokton48, on Flickr

Drop Ceiling Getting There 2 by Nokton48, on Flickr

As you can see, we are making progress with the drop ceiling. Note the new heat duct in the ceiling, and we relocated the overhead light so now it fits into the drop ceiling. Also the black wire shelving is gone (and all the construction stuff that was on it!), which makes a lot more room for everything darkroom related.

Between now and Monday I need to decide where I want everything to go (equipment placement), including the electricals. Lots of cleaning and planning between now and then.

 

[M Carter]

I also modified my DII lensboards, so that the lens planes of each are adjustable. I drilled and tapped each board, and put a layer of computer mouse pad between each top and bottom of each finished board. Used thumbscrews from McMaster Carr. So now I will use the Versalab Parallel Laser Alignment Tool to set the enlarger completely parallel each time I set enlarger height. Only makes a minute to do this each time.

Minor note, but why 4 screws instead of 3? I adapted all my boards as you did (I have the Parallel), but 3 screws seems like the optimal arrangement... get it aligned left/right, and then 1 screw to center the dot fore and aft.

I've only seen adjustable boards with 3 screws until now, seems like it could be a pain.

 

[Nokton48]

I think I will need to finish the wall to the right of the door, there is room to spare to put the six foot long Delta darkroom sink there. Electricals already in there (to a point), water lines already run just on the other side of the same wall, also the Kreonite Water Board is right there, just needs to be flipped into the new work space. And the Kreonite CPT16 drain line is right there too. I think this is the easiest way to get the new long sink up and running. Next to the new sink on the white concrete wall will go the 4x4 foot Kreonite Plate Washing Sink, and the Calumet 16x20 Archival Print Washer.

Plenty to consider this weekend. Start again on Monday.

 

[Nokton48]

The Kreonite CPT16 color paper processor is in the process being stripped down, as it warms up, it will go into the garage. It has been sold, so that that will give me some extra operating funds.

You can see the water lines and the Kreonite Water Board right there.

Kreonite CPT16 Stripdown Removal Water Board Flipped by Nokton48, on Flickr