Darkroom Safe Lights

eeyore

eeyore

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eeyore
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I'm setting up a mini darkroom but i'm stuck on which light to get. I've read people use anything from red bike lights to special lights costing ££££
Can anyone recommend a decent light for use in a black and white darkroom?

Ideally id like a portable battery operated light the reason being i'm going to at some point end up changing 5x4 film out in the back of my van and i'm hoping its going to be cheaper...
 
Normal film is probably going to be fogged by any light.

I used a darkroom that had a green light once. Which confused me. But I did a coin on the print test, and it was perfectly fine.

For black and white paper processing, give a cheap bike lamp a try. Maybe need to tape it up a bit.
 
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Thing to be aware of is that lights which arent for darkrooms but are red (bike lights etc) often have white/clear parts that will obviously ruin your prints. Alternative just get a red bulb and make sure no white light is emitted, by taping or painting the offending part. Check by exposing some unexposed paper to the safelight and process to see if the safelight has leaked any white light.
No need to spend a fortune on a special light in my view.
Matt
 
I take it you're thinking of printing paper and not just developing the film? If you're just looking to develop film a large changing bag might be a better option.
 
At the moment i'm only going to develop film. Small steps and all that :)

I do have a bag to change film in my 5x4 holders.... But using the MOD 54 holder for developing I'm not sure i can get the unprocessed film in the holder in a bag.
(My fumbling in the dark is usually a lot more simple and usually with someone else helping....:exit:)
 
I've already invested in a new 5x4 developing tank from Kickstarter before I sold the Polaroid. It uses drop in holders that should be much easier to mount the sheets into. It's due to arrive some point in March so I'll see what it's like when it arrives.
 
A red safelight is pointless for processing film since loading reels need to be loaded in the dark, you'd be better off buying a changing bag/tent then you can use it wherever you feel the need to load a reel.
 
eeyore said:
At the moment i'm only going to develop film. Small steps and all that :)

I do have a bag to change film in my 5x4 holders.... But using the MOD 54 holder for developing I'm not sure i can get the unprocessed film in the holder in a bag.
(My fumbling in the dark is usually a lot more simple and usually with someone else helping....:exit:)
Click to expand...

Many a time I've fumbled under the bed covers on my own, but with the honourable intention of loading a film onto a reel. Don't underestimate what you can manage in a darkened room at this time of year, although you have to sit for a while to be sure it is properly dark. Keep your eye open for a changing tent rather than a bag, as they keep the material lifted away from your hands. The linked one is the same as or similar to the one I've got, but obviously it's an expense you might not want at this time.

http://www.ag-photographic.co.uk/pop-up-changing-tent-2575-p.asp
 
If you have a large enough changing bag, simply obtain à box made of strong cardboard.
Cut off one side of it....the side that will face towards you.
Put tank, film, scissors etc etc in box.
Put box and contents into bag with open end facing the arm sleeves of the bag.
Securely close bag ZIP/ velcro
Place hands through arm sleeves
Load film etc with simplicity.....excess bag material is held away from "working area" by the box!
 
Well i've just tried to use the bag i have... hopefully i've loaded film in the holder right..
 
Certainly try what Asha suggests, especially when you are using it in the house. The tent I mentioned is collapsible and folds flat for use in the field. It's quite big when it's erected and here are a couple of photos of it in use with the Ilford Obscura 5x4 pinhole. It only takes a single sheet of film without a holder, so has to be loaded/unloaded for each shot.

Obscura River Beauly filmtent.jpg Obscura filmtent car.jpg
 
Asha said:
If you have a large enough changing bag, simply obtain à box made of strong cardboard.
Cut off one side of it....the side that will face towards you.
Put tank, film, scissors etc etc in box.
Put box and contents into bag with open end facing the arm sleeves of the bag.
Securely close bag ZIP/ velcro
Place hands through arm sleeves
Load film etc with simplicity.....excess bag material is held away from "working area" by the box!
Click to expand...

You just saved me £50 :-)
 
i got the calumet changing tent in a sale for £35 i think, and it is much nicer than a bag

paper is easier to deal with than film, i think, as you can use a redlight and see what todo :)
 
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