The Dark Room - Processing Film for Amateurs

By Arthur Pereira

Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Read Books Ltd.
• Release date: Sep 9, 2016
• ISBN: 9781473358331

Book preview

Printer

The Dark Room

GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS

SOONER OR LATER the worker using substandard film is almost certain to ask, ‘Is it possible for me to do my own processing fairly easily and economically?’ The answer is in the affirmative; in fact, where the film is of a character benefiting by personal attention, as in the case of experimental tests and such short inserted sections as lap-dissolves, close-ups of special difficulty, model shots and the like, his results will probably be an improvement on those obtained by the busy commercial laboratories whose staff and energies are perforce concentrated on quantity production. Additional advantages hardly need stressing—prompt news of the degree of success attained, plus an experience beyond price of a given film stock’s behaviour under varied conditions. On this account, although their first cost already includes processing by the manufacturers, full instructions are given for dealing with films of the reversal type as well as those on straightforward negative material.

Although it is reasonably certain that anyone bent on doing his own laboratory work will already possess some acquaintance both with darkroom practice and the basic facts of photography, a book of this character demands, in the interests of completeness, the mention of many elementary matters already familiar to the seasoned photographer, whose indulgence is hereby sought.

Almost any room can be adapted to the varied needs of the task, provided that two main conditions—complete freedom from dust, that arch enemy, and the exclusion of unwanted light—can be observed. The general installation will depend largely on the space available and the nature and volume of the work contemplated. Not everyone will be able to dedicate permanently an entire room to such uses, but where this is possible the walls and ceiling should have a coat of glossy white or cream-coloured paint, to be wiped over frequently with a moistened cloth. Failing this, one of the anti-dust preparations can be applied and the regular use of a vacuum cleaner arranged for.

Linoleum is the best covering for the darkroom floor. If the latter is of cement instead it must receive a coating of one of the easily washable preparations sold for the purpose, otherwise, any spilt hypo will speedily start to disintegrate the concrete with unpleasant results.

A bench (the longer the better), preferably impregnated with paraffin wax, worked in with a hot iron, should have a small window of opal glass sunk in level. Lit from below, by a small incandescent globe, it will be invaluable when blocking-out, etc., and in the speedy examination of film on a rewinder fixed on the bench above. Cupboards are preferable to shelves, on which bottles and utensils accumulate dust. Although many of the chemical preparations which may be required can be obtained in ready-weighed packages from various supply houses, scales are almost indispensable. Two pairs should be acquired; a larger one, weighing up to a pound or more, and a light balance (preferably with glass pans), furnished with a supply of grain and gramme weights. Weighing should never be done directly on the scale pans, but always on a piece of plain or waxed paper, counterpoised on the weights’ side by a similar piece. Conical glass measures for minims and c.c.s., and enamelled iron ones for larger quantities, together with glass or ebonite stirring rods and a small pestle and mortar will all be in frequent use. Stainless steel or enamelled funnels are preferable to glass ones and solutions in quantity are best mixed in white-enamelled buckets. Specially quick-acting thermometers are made for immersion in developer baths and one or two of the slender laboratory type should also be procured for measuring higher temperatures. Filter papers, absorbent cotton wool and fine muslin for straining purposes, a length of flexible tube for syphoning-off fluids from sediments, and a piece of very carefully selected chamois leather, uniformly soft, for wiping films (and kept for this sole purpose), about completes the list.

Winchester Quarts are convenient for storing stock solutions. Painted lines or other marks to indicate the 20 oz., 40 oz., and other levels will save much trouble in making up to quantity. Corks should replace glass stoppers with alkaline fluids, and water for adding to the latter, if at all hard, should previously be boiled and cooled, to prevent unwanted deposits.

A deep earthenware sink with running water is a boon though not entirely indispensable, and the inclusion of some form of water-heater will be a subject for future thankfulness, especially in winter. Bottles containing concentrated acids may well stand in shallow saucers to collect any drippings that might spoil the shelves.

Access to daylight and fresh air when cleaning-up should be