Traditional photography is a relaxing hobby, as well as a way to provide framed personal art for your enjoyment. A darkroom requires a few pieces of basic equipment to produce beautiful black and white enlargements. Color darkrooms need a few more items. If money is not a factor, consider purchasing items form the list of optional items. These can make the film and print developing process easier.
While photographic supply houses offer thousands of unique and specialty items, it is a good idea to begin with the basic equipment to develop and print at least a dozen rolls of film and the same number of prints. Each photographer develops a personal technique in producing prints. Rather than spend a large amount of money on equipment that is never used, it is a better idea to determine what specialty items make your job easier and then shop for those specialized items.
Required accessories for photographic development include:
Extra enlarger bulbs
Household bottle opener to open the film canisters
Developing trays or tanks
(separate trays for developer, fixer, and the stop bath)
Plastic or stainless steel washing tank
Wire or plastic rod for retrieving reels from the water tank
Chemicals (developer, stop bath and fixer)
Storage bottles for mixed chemicals
Large-faced timer
Safe light
Plastic or cardboard holders for slide film
Graduated measuring flask
Plastic or stainless steel developing tanks (single reel or multiple reel)
Plastic or stainless steel film reels
Bottled distilled water
Bottled spring water (without salt)
Plastic gloves for mixing chemicals
Goggles or safety glasses for mixing chemicals
plastic hose for wash tank
Optional items for developing:
“Safe bag” for loading and unloading film from the canister
Light box to view negatives and slides (with extra bulbs)
Can of pressurized air
Small sable brushes to clean lenses and equipment
Magnifying glass
Sharp scissors for cutting the film
Storage boxes (metal, plastic or acid-free cardboard)
Electric extension cords
Computer negative analyzer
Developing color film and prints requires additional items:
Thermometer
Small refrigerator for chemicals and developer
Color paper
Color chemicals for film and paper
Printing Equipment:
Enlarger with base for enlarger
Lens (multiple for various size developing)
Slide carriers (35 mm, 4 X 6, passport size)
12 X 12 piece of glass plate for contact printing
Timer
Plastic or wooden “safe box” for the photographic paper
Separate safe boxes for each type of photographic paper
Cotton gloves
Tongs (either bamboo, plastic or stainless steel)
Pressurized can of air
Lens cleaner with soft cloths
Photographic papers (boxes or envelope)
Goggles and safety glasses (face shield)
Optional Printing Accessories:
Antique-style cabinet cards
Silver, wet plate, platinum or palladium developing chemicals
1950s-style ruffled edge trimmer
Pens and pencils for retouching negatives
Watercolors or oil paints for hand tinting
Storage boxes (acid-free paper or plastic)
Photo albums (acid-free paper or plastic)
Large bed paper cutter
Plastic or cotton-coated apron or lab coat
Equipment for Drying Film and Prints:
Tongs (stainless steel, plastic or bamboo)
Small tabletop print dryer (optional)
Film coater (foam or fabric)
Plastic or steel line for hanging film or prints
Hang clips (stainless, bamboo or plastic)
