Thinking of building a darkroom.

[Ammo 7]

Last year at the end of March I closed my business and in October I sold my house. I've been bumming around for almost a year. I'm currently in Spain but have also been in Belgium, Portugal and Italy. I have just put in an offer to buy a flat in the UK so I can have a base to come back to. It has a large 3ft 6in x 5ft 6in totally dark cupboard with electrics and it occurred to me that it would make a nice darkroom. No running water but I can probably get around that and rinse film and prints in the bathroom.

I have a large archive of 35mm and 6x6 negatives dating back to the mid 70s that need printing. I have a friend who is a professional printer that prints for me occasionally but with 8x10 prints at £25.00 each costs can soon mount up. The last time I had a darkroom was back in 1979 but even if I do say so myself i was a pretty good printer. I think I should be able to get back up to speed pretty quickly

I'm looking at second hand enlargers and thinking of going the whole hog and getting a 5x4 enlarger and maybe dabbling with some large format photography. On the other hand I have my hands full with the negs I already have so maybe I should be sensible and just get a 6x6 enlarger. Durst used to be the brand to have in my day. Any other brands worth considering? Anyone got any darkroom equipment for sale?

[Ammo 7]

Hi Droopsnoot, I really need to be able to do 6x6 as well. But thanks very much for the offer.

Hi ptj. That's exactly the sort of thing that I am looking for. I'll drop you a line with my details so you can email me the photo.

[Ammo 7]

LongQ. Definitely interested to hear what your neighbour has. Let me know please.

I used a Bronica S2 back in the old days. I have a hankering to get a Pentax 67 as I've never owned one. I bought a Rolleiflex for a friend in Berlin recently, a 2.8F. I hadn't picked one up for the best part of 30 years yet all the controls came to hand as if it were yesterday. I'd forgotten how well made they are. Might have to put one on my wish list.

[Ammo 7]

Julian, I will take anything you have. I'll use any bits and pieces that are useful to me and dispose of what I don't need.

[Ammo 7]

Nice to know that your neighbour's darkroom gear will be put to good use Long Q. Since deciding to build a darkroom I've got a bit carried away eyeing up (and buying) nice film cameras. Should be moving in to the new place around the end of next month. Can't wait to get set up and start printing again.