Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1999/08/22
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]I have nothing much to say. But I sure would like to see what YOU have to say on this topic ... A starting point could be one of these: Would you prefer a solid plastic laminate counter top or a granite one ? Does you air management system make you wish you had given more attention to noise levels ? What about dust management? Positive air filtration? Anti-static sprays everywhere? Or better ? Would you consider hanging your enlarger from the ceiling rather than the traditional weighed base approach ? Would you then place the enlarger against a wall or develop some island work area in the middle of your dream darkroom? What's your reference height for your dream darkroom: waist level, or higher up so as to limit bending positions over the years ? What's your favorite photo paper and chemicals storage solution ? Versus the best you've seen anywhere? Have you found a cheap way to heat / recirculate / recondition water as part of your private water saving program? Would you use shiny surfaced materials to help gain a sense of direction, if but as a eye level band around the darkroom lab, for instance? Or is anything shiny or reflective a most definitive no-no? What's your favorite enlarger ? A Leica model or one from another manufacturer? How about: what's the ultimate enlarger lens ? Are your 16" x 20" really awesome? What's the secret? Do you enjoy Zone System black & white ? Preferred film? Preferred chemicals? Preferred paper(s) ? Preferred chemicals? What's the one chemical you've found you would never do without again in the darkroom? What's your secret for that incredible gloss of your most prized prints ? OR, do you stay well away from glossy prints altogether? Do you find any merit in toning some prints for a specific impression you are looking for sometimes ? What's your idea of state-of-the-art where enlarger illumination schemes are concerned ? Are you considering E-6 : manual or automated machine? Do you manually mount your slides or is there a semi or automated unit you'd like people to try for its excellence? Do you get really great results with color negative prints? Any inside... ? Preferred supplier(s) ? Do other people have access to your lab or is it a private garden, more or less ? Do you use automated color correction? Which system was the worst for you? The Best ? What approach does the best justice to your Leica originated negatives ? Well, I can't believe I'm doing this. Better have some breakfast... ;+) AJQ