Printing the negative...

[karmagarda]

Righty, so, I've developed both colour and B&W negatives with somewhat success, I suppose I might as well go the full bloody hog and print the buggers! I'm going to do a proper search on this later when I have more time, but I thought before I do that I'll pop a post up to you insightful film users on here!

So, I have no idea what's involved. Can you even do this at home? Will I need a crane to lift the equipment in? Or is there a straight forward way to do this? Or is this rediculous to even attempt? Even just give me the low down and call me a crazy bleedin sod! In fact, my girlfriend just told me so yesterday. I ran into the sitting room with my pants on my head and she said "I can clearly see your nuts".

Anyway, has anyone successfully printed at home without much complexity or difficulty?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Ambermile]

BW is reasonably easy as it only needs a couple of chemicals and no special filters in the enlarger. Colour is a bit more involved as the colour goes in by layers and you do each layer at a time. However, pretty sure that if you can survive C41 at home you shouldn't be too fazed by printing.

Start with BW as it's much easier and you get the techniques nailed much quicker then if the enthusiasm spills over into colour that'll be your next step... Personally though, colour holds no interest print-wise for me, BW printing is more fun, more creative, and more forgiving too.

Arthur

 

[joxby]

You need an enlarger........

or....if you shoot 5x4 or better still 8x10 film, you can contact print, for which you don't need an enlarger...

 

[Kev M]

If you're anywhere near Ashby in Leicestershire you're more than welcome to come round and try out my printing gear to see if you like it and see what is involved before you shell out for more gear (that offer is open to anyone here BTW).

 

[Carl V]

I haven't done any printing in colour - only in black & white. In case you haven't come across this, I always recommend these Ilford fact sheets for first timers. This one goes through the printing process step-by-step and tells you what you need to get started:

http://www.ilfordphoto.com/Webfiles/200629187211322.pdf

You won't go wrong with Ilford's multigrade resin-coated papers to start off. With a black & white enlarger, use the multigrade filters which allow you to alter the contrast. These are available either to slot into the filter drawer (you may have to trim them slightly) or to be placed below the lens. This other fact sheet will explain a little about variable contrast (multigrade):

http://www.ilfordphoto.com/Webfiles/2006130201152306.pdf

If you've gone to the trouble of processing the film, you really need to print them yourself as well - it's all part of the enjoyment.

 

[john-oh]

Personally though, colour holds no interest print-wise for me, BW printing is more fun, more creative, and more forgiving too.

Yes, agreed. Although I did play briefly with CibaChrome back in the day...

You will need a lot more room / kit to print,
a blacked out area,
safelght,
enlarger,
trays

However, it's fantastic fun watching the print come up in the dev.
plus, you can't beat the smell of the hypo !

 

[mustanir]

White is a better colour for a darkroom, provided the room is light tight and you can be sure the only light source is your safelights.

 

[john-oh]

Yes :

a blacked out area

I really meant a light tight area.

White is the best colour although I usually like to have the enlarger area black in case of any light spill from the enlarger.

All a bit academic if you are just temporalily converting the bathroom !

 

[karmagarda]

Cheers for the feedback! Instead of searching up on this last night I decided to drink beer instead :bonk:. Any, must do over the weekend.

Thanks for the offer Kev. I would take you up on that only for I'm in London

From the sounds of it I may wait until I move to a slightly bigger place before starting on this. Space is tight as it is where I am.

 

[Kev M]

I'm sure I read that silverprint or one of the other shops had a darkroom space you could rent in london. Might be worth looking into. Alternatively have a look at weekend/evening college courses, they're a bit noddy but at least you'll be able to use their darkroom gear.

 

[Carl V]

Instead of searching up on this last night I decided to drink beer instead

Nothing wrong with that.

I only mentioned the Ilford sheets because they are a very good starting point for anyone wishing to develop a film or make prints for the first time. Ilford used to issue these in printed form back in the 1980s and these 'pdf' versions which have been updated slightly, are still excellent reference notes.

I'd go along with Kev's advice and see if there is a college near to where you are which can allow you to have a practice. This way, at least you can gain some experience and see if you enjoy printing without going into the full expense of creating your own darkroom.