Ilfords popup Darkroom tent

[MrDrizz]

I believe Ilford showcased their new popup Darkroom tent at the Photo show.

Have to admit to being intrigued by this, might be an option for those with limited space or where setting up a darkroom is just not possible.

Might even work better for me than converting the bathroom every time.

Ventilation might be a consideration.

New Product Announcements

ILFORD launch three Exciting New Products for film photographers and darkroom printers. Experience the magic of darkroom printing

www.ilfordphoto.com

EDITFound an article that gives a bit more detail. There are vents, one at the bottom for a fan (inlet) and one near the top to vent out.

Ilford Pop-up Darkroom is perfect solution for developing analog photographers

Tent-like darkroom can be put up anywhere for lightproof processing of film and photographic paper

www.digitalcameraworld.com

 

[VirtualAdept]

I was very impressed with what I've seen of it, though I'm wondering how much space there is for someone like myself, six foot one in all directions...

 

[MrDrizz]

I was very impressed with what I've seen of it, though I'm wondering how much space there is for someone like myself, six foot one in all directions...

I'd imagine it's only for the most compact enlargers.

 

[lindsay]

When I saw it at the Photography Show, it looked to me like it would be fine height-wise but a little restrictive if you've been rather a pie-eater. Also given the size, it would be worth thinking about the working height of the table you put in it, either you'll want a height you can work at without bending over, ie standing for however long a session, or maybe a height that works with a stool. I'd say you could operate any enlarger that puses upto 120 size negs and 8x10 / A4 prints but probably be pushed doing 16x20.

 

[AndrewFlannigan]

I'd imagine it's only for the most compact enlargers.

You might be surprised.

I made something like that many years ago. It took up 4 foot by 4 foot of floor space and I could make prints up to 16x12 from a 5x4 enlarger in it, processing them in a Nova slot tank. Here are the innards ready to use...

 

[Harlequin565]

My interest was around being able to do my film workshop and have something other than a dark bag to get films onto the reel. It'd be a snug fit for 2 people in there with a (very) small table. I don't think I'd want it for print enlarging through as I like pies and am 6'1. The sample I saw at the show had an Intrepid enlarger installed which obviously made it look like there was loads of room. I think the max enlargement size anyone would reasonably be able to produce would be 8x10. Anything around the A3 size would be very tricky, if not impossible. (Edit to reply after Andrew and it looks like maybe 16x12 might be possible)

They did mention selling an extractor type thing to take out smells & fumes which was all very cool but I would imagine it to be pricey.

 

[MrDrizz]

You might be surprised.

I made something like that many years ago. It took up 4 foot by 4 foot of floor space and I could make prints up to 16x12 from a 5x4 enlarger in it, processing them in a Nova slot tank. Here are the innards ready to use...

View attachment 334593

A slot tank would be great for it but it's not a budget option

 

[AndrewFlannigan]

A slot tank would be great for it but it's not a budget option

It depends how lucky you are. My 3 slot Nova cost around £100 and the Prolab 54 was about £200 - both second hand, of course. The tent itself was just some 2x2 timber, some screws and about 20 yards of heavy duty black PC sheet.

 

[andyc64]

Haven’t Nova sold a darkroom tent for years?
I don’t know if the Ilford one is a different design or a rebrand, but I imagine they’re pretty similar.

 

[MrDrizz]

Haven’t Nova sold a darkroom tent for years?
I don’t know if the Ilford one is a different design or a rebrand, but I imagine they’re pretty similar.

Yes they do, only found that out after looking into the Slot developer tanks.

It's £650.

Ilford one is reported to be a third of that.

 

[Sky]

I looked into these a couple of years ago (the older one) and found a couple on the evil bay. In both cases the fans were broken, so I wonder if this is a weakness that has been addressed?

 

[Karl.t1965]

I am considering it as I would like to do wet plate while out and about and can see me setting this up out the back of the car