My DarkroomTour, Build you own darkroom

[@wichersham]

This is my dream darkroom... nice setup!!

[@toddkorolphoto]

Thanks. It’s getting close to mine just need a tiny bit more space. But not complaining. ✌️

[@djleclair1320]

what a great tour - clever ideas for a tiny space

[@toddkorolphoto]

Thanks, gotta make a tight space work.

[@fotolookconde]

Thank you for sharing @Todd Korol! I managed to put an Omega Chromega 4x5 in my shed and it touches the ceiling!!! Hehehe

[@toddkorolphoto]

Ha so does mine ;-)

[@fotolookconde]

@@toddkorolphoto Too high machines or too low ceilings!!!

[@williamorford6966]

I’m in the process of building my own darkroom at the moment thanks for the video 👍

[@toddkorolphoto]

Perfect, post some photos when you're done, good luck!

[@StudentBoots]

Love seeing how others make do with small spaces. I try keep my work contained to the laundry table in the basement - hand-me-down vertical processor helps. And 11x14 is such a perfect print size too!

[@toddkorolphoto]

Thanks love 11x14.

[@klausmoritzpeitzsch690]

Thx for sharing! My current setup allows for up to 6x6 negatives but I saved an old enlarger for negs up to 4x5, maybe even 5x7, from going to the junk yard. I need to do some restoration and 3D print some parts.

[@toddkorolphoto]

I just had a lens mount 3D printed, I think 3D printing is going to be our friend.

[@AlejandroGonzalez-AGS]

Nice setup...have most of the staff boxed up...now, where to set everything up! Thanks for sharing...cheers.

[@markgoostree6334]

My sister has given me her equipment. I am still debating on the set up... I did this in 1972 but, in '73, when we moved into this house, we never tried to set up a darkroom.

[@stacker62]

Hey Todd, great vid.! Hope you have some ventilation in that little room, not so much for film, but open tray printing.

[@toddkorolphoto]

Yes I actually explained my ventilation is a comment. It's all good. Unfortunately I should have gone into ventilation more in my video, but mine in complicated.

[@tgchism]

Very nice equipment and well thought out use of space! At one time I use to set up a Beseler 23C with a color head in my small bathroom. I placed the enlarger on the toilet seat and had my trays in the tub. It worked well except having to always completely set up and takedown the whole thing every time I wanted to make prints! I was set up to print from negatives from 35mm to 6x9cm but sadly never could afford to make the dive into medium format. For a few years I did manage to convert a bedroom into a permanent darkroom and had a JOBO CPP2 with lift head. It was a great processor! Over the years I've kept a bit of my set up and have started to develop B&W film again. So far I've only scanned them with my Sony A7 III using a Sigma 105mm macro lens. Besides a couple of old 35mm cameras I recently purchased a Zero Image 2000 pinhole 6x6cm camera and an old Ansco (AGFA) Viking 6x9cm bellows camera and have shot a few rolls through each. I don't know how far I will eventually go back into film but I'm enjoying to so far. I'm really enjoying your videos too! I'm learning a lot! Thank you for sharing!

[@toddkorolphoto]

You bet, I remember those exact darkroom days myself! ;-)

[@maxfig4167]

Love this video, I'm planning to make a darkroom in my attic and this video give me a lot of ideas about how to plan for it. Thank a lot for this video

[@toddkorolphoto]

Perfect, thank you.

[@bthemedia]

Inspirational setup... well done! Thanks for sharing! 🎞

[@toddkorolphoto]

Thank you.

[@Moses_Kanneh]

Very cool set up

[@toddkorolphoto]

@@Moses_Kanneh thanks, it’s a special little place just for me.

[@CanoeToNewOrleans]

Hi Todd, I first heard about your work two years when I purchased your book Harvest. It captures agriculture in the 90s well. That was a good era despite some of the changes. Thanks for sharing your darkroom and for your other videos about photography.

[@toddkorolphoto]

Oh very cool, thanks for that. That was a special time for me. Thanks for coming along in the videos. Cheers!

[@Nat.ImagesLarge.F.Photographer]

Fantastic Darkroom Todd!

[@toddkorolphoto]

Thanks. It’s small but functional. Wish I had a bit more space to make larger prints.

[@allthingsanalogue]

Awesome video! In the planning of setting up a new dark room. This video is so helpful. Cheers

[@toddkorolphoto]

Thanks glad it helped. Thanks for watching.

[@iantan6141]

What a well equipped darkroom! Love this video, definitely gotta build myself one someday!

[@toddkorolphoto]

Do it!

[@steveh1273]

Do you have an exhaust fan? I have a small room that has an air conditioning duct entrance into it that I use as my darkroom but I don't have a return. I've thought about installing a bathroom ceiling exhaust but haven't, the attic is too small to get above the room. As it is, and as far as I know, I haven't had any issues with working in the closed space.

[@toddkorolphoto]

I don't have a fan, but, it's because my celling is open and goes to the next room which is a bathroom that has a fan, it also goes to the storage room so there is a lot of air circulating. I can keep the door open as well when I print so it's small but no enclosed.

[@anthonydennis460]

Todd, Love your videos, style, equipment, cleanliness, efficiency, and plain English detailed explanations of everything you do. You inspired me to get out my 4x5 cameras, Rollie, Leicas and use them again. Went digital 9 years ago and forget how enjoyable working with the 4x5 is. Back to the basics. Did weddings with my 4x5 Crown Graphic and Linhoff Technika in the 1960s. I have 4 cases of Press 25 flashbulbs (I love the smell of flashbulbs in the morning) that I will get out and use again. My Leica IIF, M3, and Leicaflex have been in the closet for years and I will get them out and put them to use again. Time to put away the Canon 5D MII and start to mix the old D76 again. I do miss my 4x5 Kodak Super XX, Verichrome 120, and Kokachrome II 35mm films. Need to look into the b&w films available these days.

[@toddkorolphoto]

Hi Anthony that sounds great. Love your collection of gear. There is a soul to working with film and film cameras! Thanks for reaching out!!

[@johnrome5827]

Excellent video as always. Brings back many good memories for me. Thanks for the tour. Stay safe.

[@tonyparatore888]

Wow... That enlarger looks great... 8x10... Here in my house we have two bathrooms, and since I don't have any spare rooms I just use one of the bathrooms to set up a little darkroom... It takes me half an hour to set it up... I have an old durst 609 enlarger for 120 film and a durst M305 that I use for 135 film... It's a lot of fun... Keep printing... Cheers from Sicily...

[@toddkorolphoto]

It’s great you are still printing. Keep it going!

[@tonyparatore888]

@@toddkorolphoto yes... I hope so... That's my intention... You too...

[@silva-anderida7695]

Interesting.Thanks.

[@latrilife3444]

Great video thank you very much. Can you share the link where you bought the sink?

[@toddkorolphoto]

@@latrilife3444 Just at a Home Depot.

[@michaellong9526]

Setting up a darkroom nowadays sometimes requires some ingenuity Many of the tools are not as easily available or have become expensive I downsized when I retired and moved and left a fully functional darkroom to setting up a new one with no running water and cursing myself for leaving my darkroom sink at my former residence Big bucks for a true darkroom sink! The solution for the sink came to me observing the numerous ice fisherman around me who use large ABS sleds to tow their gear behind snowmobiles I bought one for about $100 CDN and it is deep enough to stop any spills and can hold 4 16x20 trays I just built a stand platform for it and can lay a sheet of ply over it for extra counter space when needed I also use a laundry tub draining into a large plastic water bottle and have a couple large water bottles with spigots. I've moved more to Ilfords multiple baths and replacing water 5x instead of using running water for washing prints and films. Its good to see a bit of a resurgence in interest in the darkroom Id be interested in your comparison between your 5x7 and 8x10 for contact prints vs ease of use etc Keep up the great work with your channel Hope to run into you some day I'm in Manitoba and plan some outings into Sask and Alberta hopefully next season

[@toddkorolphoto]

Yes indeed. Getting harder to find stuff I am so glad I never dumped any of my gear. Sounds like you have some great ideas. The De Vere is a beauty I got really luck a few years ago when a studio guy was getting rid of it. Picked it up for very cheap. Yes let’s try and connect.

[@jakeward9858]

Nice space Todd, that 5108 is a rare beauty!

[@toddkorolphoto]

Thanks the De Vere is amazing I got so lucky finding it. Cheers

[@DannerPlace]

Enjoyed your vid. Nice darkroom set-up for use. $200 for the Leitz, I'm jelly. LOL

[@toddkorolphoto]

The Leipzig is great 👍

[@DrJRaven]

Absolutely fantastic

[@marvindroz2400]

Awesome video, as always! Great idea for storing the D76. Is it a water cooler? Brand? Size? Paper developer type? Favorite papers?

[@phillipP8848]

Thank you for the tour.

[@wetpossum]

So jealous of all you DeVere 5108 guys. I just converted my Durst 138 to 8x10, but if I ever come across a DeVere it's gone in a heartbeat.

[@daveppluk]

hi todd just came across your blog love the videos i live in nova scotia i have been into darkroom for years .i notice you use a g70 i have a friends vr70 at home my question is do you use a negarom with your g70 or can you use the enlarger/ analyzer without one thanks dave

[@toddkorolphoto]

The negarom is for printing colour I think., I just use the enlarger for b&w prints. I do not have one.

[@amyli9534]

hi todd - great video! I'm in the process of building my own darkroom and was wondering what your ventilation system is like? any tips/advice on that matter? :) thanks

[@toddkorolphoto]

I'm lucky because I have a little fan for ventilation as my darkroom is next to an outside wall. It's defiantly a good plan to bring an electrician in to install a ventilation fan, it will help with some fresh air.

[@jameskyle4807]

Very good Vid... As always. I use my spare bathroom. (Especially now for a year, because of COVID-19. I really do not have that many visitors... AND I do not have a basement.) OH! BTW= We both use the old Kodak "wind-up" timer ;-)

[@toddkorolphoto]

Those are great timers.

[@hammychannel9306]

you have my clock, oh and lovely video

[@toddkorolphoto]

Oh that’s cool! Thank you.

[@Esau_Garcia]

Thanks for sharing!! I would love to build one someday! Cheers!

[@steveaustinhurst]

What song is this in the beginning?

[@xpost92]

Awesome. I’ve got a darkroom fetish. I’m looking at getting a De vere, do they still make them?? I’ve got a Beseler 45 but want a second enlarger and the Devere is pricise and the focus knobs on the board are awesome

[@toddkorolphoto]

I don't think they are making them anymore, but they really are the best enlarger you can get, everything about them is amazing! You can't go wrong. You can still find them used though.

[@xpost92]

@@toddkorolphoto yeah I think you’re right. There is another one I believe in Germany that are very good they are called Kienzle. I can get a De vere in UK but shipping to australia is a pain….

[@wybevanbrakel4306]

Doesn’t the thermostat of your cpe2 break down when you don’t fill it with water?! Grtz

[@toddkorolphoto]

No I have a setting that if you turn it all the way off it doesn’t heat up.

[@martykimble9999]

Hey Tod. Have you had to modify your uniroller to work with the jobo 3005 drum?

[@martykimble9999]

Sorry I meant Todd

[@toddkorolphoto]

I have not, for sheet film I turn it a 1/4 turn every 15 seconds. I’ve done it for so long it works but I wish there was a way to modify it so it did a full rotation with my pro drum.

[@russellsprout2223]

Todd, I'm interested to know which lens you're using on the DeVere for printing from 4x5 please? Thank you.

[@toddkorolphoto]

I use a 135mm F/5.6 Componon-S, a 150mm F/5.6 Rodagon and a 10" Ektanon F/4.5 Kodak lens. I use the 135 mostly for 4x5 sometimes the 150, 135 is slightly wider and I don't have to go up as much. The Kodak is a beautiful lens for 5x7 and 8x10, has a real nice look to it.

[@russellsprout2223]

@@toddkorolphoto Many thanks for taking the time, Todd. As I said previously, I love your vlogs - please keep up the great work. Atb 👍

[@jacovanlith5082]

Make your darkoom wide and bright have the walls paint white !

[@seanyonstreet4260]

Hi Todd, Thanks for showing your set up. I always wondered why photographers have multiple enlargers, I am guessing that 135 enlarger will not able to enlarge large format films but how about the other way around? Can 5x7 or 4x5 enlarger can enlarge 135, 120? If they do, what is the reason to have a multiple enlargers? I want to get an enlarger in near future and I have a very small space. I shoot 35mm film and 120 but want to shoot 5x7 or 4x5 eventually and quite not sure which film format enlargers I should get. Thanks again

[@carlhem4463]

Hi Todd, I,ve found a Linhof Technika at a very good price . I’s a 6x7 but I was looking for 4x5 so what can I do to go to 4x5, what else I have to buy. 👍 I’m learning a lot , nice and well done videos.

[@toddkorolphoto]

I think they are built just for medium format. You need to find a proper 4x5.

[@glenmoralee3]

Loved that thanks

[@a.arsenicz]

Great video! Thank you very much.

[@toddkorolphoto]

Thanks glad you enjoyed it.

[@fbraakman]

Great Tod, love your videos. Where did you get your DeVere?

[@toddkorolphoto]

Thanks. I picked it up a few years back from a studio photog getting rid of all of his stuff. It’s amazing and got it for a great price.

[@camerachica73]

@@toddkorolphoto We had DeVere's at my university - I absolutely loved them.

[@toddkorolphoto]

@@camerachica73 They are amazing.

[@jespersf]

What is the meassurments of your doarkrrom?

[@toddkorolphoto]

Approx 6 feet wide x 16 feet long.

[@jespersf]

@@toddkorolphoto thank you so much.

[@vangstr]

Awesome video!

[@toddkorolphoto]

Thanks!!

[@prajeethk4348]

Hi Todd, I liked the video and subscribed to your channel. Great video. Surprised to see the gigantic DeVere that you have. Please keep posting videos. I have one query. If you are preparing large volumes of developer in cans that you have shown in this video, doesn't it become week and useless with lots of air to oxidise the developer? After 2 months, I had to scrap almost half a litter of film developer everytime as developer looses ability to give dense negatives. I use Ilford Perceptol. Hope you find time to my query. Thanks, Todd

[@toddkorolphoto]

Thank the DeVere is great. That can be a problem with your developer if it’s not air tight. That tank I use also has a floating lid that floats on top of the developer as well as the lid. So my developer gets very little oxygen and it will last pretty much up to 6 months. But since I shoot through so much film I rarely go past two months and it runs out so for me not a problem.

[@prajeethk4348]

@@toddkorolphoto thanks Todd for you reply. I should also look for a floating lid container then...

[@krishnansrinivasan830]

Thank you so much Sir :)

[@alycortesmilan1850]

Where have you been, great video, I stated in the 80's but if you know any that wants to give away any I mean anything for b/w film/prints I am from Puerto Rico and these hurricanes are killing us. I hope 🤞 to see more of you in the future, mean while I subscribed to watch more videos, thanks, Aly

[@toddkorolphoto]

Thanks for watching, so sorry about the horrible weather down there, I hope you and your family are all safe! Peace✌

[@tonymonaghan5993]

Ahhhhhh why the music. Can't watch this. No need for music. What you saying is interesting. It doesn't need jazzing up!

[@toddkorolphoto]

Well a couple of reasons. Because of the space a little music hides the flaws in audio and the echo in the room.

[@caitlinfuller8317]

@@toddkorolphoto I love the jazz Todd

[@toddkorolphoto]

@@caitlinfuller8317 Thank you!!

[@mabellerose1171]

Have to remind myself that i am broke

[@toddkorolphoto]

I tell that myself everyday 🤦‍♂️