Info for members

Welcome to The Fix Community Darkroom community! 

Please review this manual to ensure a smooth working environment for using the darkroom.

This is your space! Please feel free to make suggestions and share your ideas!

Contact Meredith with any concerns by email at thefixcd@gmail.com (non-urgent) or text Meredith (urgent).

Enter the Darkroom

·      We’re fortunate to have a revolving darkroom door so it is easy to enter and exit while others are working. 

·      When you first arrive, knock to let anyone working know you’re coming in.

·      The overhead light and fan switches are to your left when you enter.

·      The safelight switch is across the room. The safelights were tested, but if you have a special material you may want to test.

·      Best practice is to keep phones and smartwatches out of the darkroom. 

Sharing space

·      As a member of the darkroom, you have 24/7 access. However, the darkroom is a shared space. To ensure availability, book in advance here: https://tinyurl.com/mr3uzzhs. There are 4 printing and developing slots each hour. All slots are for the whole hour (eg If you want to work from 9:00-10:00 you could choose any of the 4 slots in the 9 o’clock hour). If you have a change of plans, please unscheduled yourself so that others know the slot is open. If no one is signed up, feel free to drop-in. 

·      The light room (scanners, light boxes etc) is first come, first served.

·      Please be considerate and community-minded when working with others in the space. When there are multiple users in the darkroom it may be necessary to share chemistry trays.

·      If you’re working alone, you can remove the light baffle/divider between enlargers to use the extra space (put it back when you’re done). There is a folding table that can be set up in the middle of the room to extend workspace when multiple people are printing.

Storage

There is limited space available for storing personal darkroom items under the enlarger counter. I suggest getting a rubbermaid type tub and putting your name on it. There is some space to store personal chemicals on the chemical shelf. Label your items. If your item is out and not labeled it will be considered community property. Don’t use other people’s personal items without permission.

Film Developing

When the safelights are off, the darkroom is light tight so you can load your film. If others are working with the safelights on, there are dark bags available for film loading. 

·      Use the film sink for developing film.

·      The thermostatic mixing valve doesn’t work so mix to your desired temperature. There are thermometers.

·      Film chemistry is available by the film sink. 

·      Mix the sprint developer 1:9

·      Use the working solutions of stop and fix.

·      Filtered water from the print sink or mineral water are available for final rinse.

·      Rinse all tanks, reels and containers and leave to dry in the film sink drying rack.

·      When dry, all film accessories can be put away in the storage rack below the film sink.

·      Film can be hung to dry on the rack to the right of the film sink. There is a plastic garment bag available to protect film while drying but it’s a bit unwieldy and so far it has not been necessary.

Printing

Four enlargers, described below, are available. 

·      Each enlarger is equipped with the capacity to print multiple types of negatives (lenses, negative carriers, mixing chambers). Please acquaint yourself with the enlarger you want to use and ask questions if you don’t understand how to work the machine.

·      Each enlarger has a set of variable contrast filters, grain focuser and other accessories. 

·      An array of easels is available (up to 11x14).

·      Try not to get the filters and negative carriers mixed up because they are specific to each enlarger.

·      The print chemistry is on the wire rack to the left of the sink. Mix the developer 1:9 in the tray and use the stock solutions of stop and fix. Hypo clear is available for fiber printing.

·      Several washing options are available. There is an archival print washer and a tray siphon. Use your preference.

·      Multiple print tray set ups or larger print tray runs can be set up across the counters and sinks (extra counter across film sink available). You may need to get creative.

·      Prints can be dried hanging from the drying arm or on the metal print dryer.

Enlargers

Omega D5 Super Chromega Dichronic II- for 35 mm, medium format and 4x5 negatives

·      50 mm lens and board

·      80 mm lens (no board)

·      135 mm lens (no board)

·      Neg carriers: 6x6, 35 mm, 4x5 glass, 6x7

Super Chromega video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cs8rpaBhIqA

Omega B22 -For 35 mm and 6x6 negatives

·      75 mm lens w/lens board

·      50mm lens w/lens board

·      Negative carriers: 35 mm neg, 35mm (full frame), 6x6

Omega B22 video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieyGJHON5OE

Beseler MX- for 35mm, medium format and 4x5 negatives

·      50 mm lens w/board

·      75 mm (no board)

·      105 mm lens (no board)

·      150 mm lens (?)

·      Negative carriers: 35 mm, 6c6 and 4x5

Besler M(x): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Up-0AFKavIE

Beseler M (blue)- for 35mm, medium format and 4x5 negatives

·      50 mm lens w/board

·      80 mm lens w/boars

·      105 mm lens w/board

·      negative carrier: 35 mm, 6c6 and 4x5 glass

Besler M(x): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Up-0AFKavIE

Disposal of Chemicals

·      All chemistry OTHER THAN FIXER can go down the drain. Pour directly down the drain to make sink clean up easier.

·      Developer is used as one-shot and disposed of after use. 

·      Stop bath can be reused (poured back into the stock container) unless it is exhausted (purple).

·      Fixer can be checked with the hypo check and poured back into the stock container to be reused.

·      Old or exhausted fixer should go into the recovery bucket (green with black lid). Take care when pouring fixer. 

Before Leaving the Darkroom

·      The darkroom is a shared community space and relies on each member to clean and shut down the darkroom properly.

·      Dispose or replace all chemistry (see above).

·      Thoroughly clean and rinse all trays and containers and leave to dry.

·      Rinse out the sink.

·      Clean up the enlarger area: remove your negative, return filters to their place, turn off timer, tidy up.

·      Last one out MUST turn off:

o   All water taps

o   The safelights

o   The overhead lights

o   The fan

The Light Room

·      There are two scanners available for member use.

o   Nikon Coolscan IV ED LS-40

o   Epson V600

·      You’ll need to bring your own laptop to hook up.

·      Other available items:

o   Lightbox with loupe

o   Drymount press (for dry mounting or flattening prints). *needs minor tweaking to be ready for use.