I bought a second hand darkroom set a year and a half ago. I never had a chance to use it as I needed to buy a lens for the enlarger and soon after I bought it, I moved into a house. Though I unpacked the enlarger I just shoved it in a closet and there it remained for a while.
Over the last year I have picked up various things so that I could print: black out curtains, trays, tongs, 50mm enlarger lens and a window screen to dry prints. The real gems I hadn't yet obtained were an easel and a lens for printing medium format negatives. Finally I was able to get these last two things. I bought a 75 mm Fujinon EX. I love the easel. I don't know if I love the lens yet.
I have printed some negatives that weren't so amazing to start with. They were things that I was really curious about but I can't say I love the image. It was really fun to print and quite relaxing. I listened to some tunes on the iPod and printed away. I think my set-up is working out okay. I'm using Ilford chemistry (I know it has a new name now but it escapes me). I don't relish the idea of mixing powders. Maybe when I get more confident with the whole idea. I have to say, I do like that I just measure out a few liquids. It was pretty easy to move around and the prints look clean at least.
I've decided I will probably never develop my own film. I suppose I could save money eventually if I did it myself. If I lived in Canada I probably would do it myself. I remember taking a roll of black and white film to Black's Camera and finding out it would cost me twenty dollars! I think contact sheet was extra.
I can go to at least one place in Tokyo where I can get the film developed for six hundred yen (about 6 dollars U.S.). Everyone assures me that I would no longer screw up my film if I did it often enough. However, I'm guessing it would take me several rolls of film and heartbreak during the transition period when I figure it's safe for me to try developing rolls of stuff I am really working on.
The second barrier for developing film at home is not easily overcome. I don't have anyplace to keep the film while it dries that is dust free. And I draw the line at spending more money on stuff like that.
I usually go to National Photo in Harajuku to get my film done. They are great. If something is wrong with the film, it's not something they did but they often chat with me to help me figure out what went wrong. Last time was a roll of old film I tried out that had x-ray clouding.
Anyway, the darkroom is up and running and I'm enjoying it. Another point on my to-do list taken care of!
