Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/10/20
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Francesco- I saved some chemical bottles from out Kodak processor- if you are on good terms with a minilab person, they should be able to save some- I got some really nice 2 liter and gallon sizes with heavy duty plastic caps- they aren't brown, but if white HDPE is good enough for Kodak, it's good enough for me! And they were FREE. Next, you need a decent thermometer, stem type in stainless- about $20 A plastic funnel- I got several at the supermarket for about $2 Then you need a developing tank- you can get a cheaper Kinderman with plastic lid and stainless steel reels for about $30 for a four roll tank, 1 quart size. If you want a more expensive model, check theHewes- the reels are about $20 apiece, but some people swear by them rather than swear at the cheaper ones! You'll need your chemicals- there your can spend $15-20 for a basic set of Developer, stop bath, Rapid-fix, and Photo-Flo 200. A nice sturdy cardboard box- I got mine from the liquor store- to carry the stuff to and fro will be-FREE. That's about all it takes! No big deal, no major expense. As far as darkroom stuff? I bought a Beseler 23C Dichroic enlarger that was like new for $350 in the used section of my favorite camera store, for another $50 they threw in an easel, trays, Falcon roller squeegee and drying rack and an Omega Color analyzer! Look for situations where someone sinks a wad on the stuff, and becomes disenchanted, and wants to unload it so they can go get a skateboard or jetski, and you can come out with some nice equipment at a good price. The enlarger lens? get the best you can, since a crummy lens will negate any advantage you accrue using Leica lenses. I have some Vivitar VHS lenses I got 25 years ago- they were made by Rodenstock, I think, and they have done great by me all these years- I have gone through 3 enlargers, but I have kept these lenses! You can set up a really nice darkroom for under a grand, if you shop around. Cheers, and, in this case, Bask in the Dark! Dan dwpost@msn.com