I am a complete beginner at this can someone please tell me exactly what equipment I will need to develop my negatives and end up with photos. Pictures will be B/W (if that helps)and could you give me some idea of the cost and somewhere in the uk where I can purchase the equipment. All I know is that I need a camera and a darkroom, I have those. Thank you Scott.

-- Scott Thomson (scottthomson@btinternet.com), May 13, 2001

Answers

The only equipment you need is a phonebook to look up the address of the nearest photo dealer in your city. Go ask him that question! He has time [and the potential sale he might make] to justify the long response such a broad question would elicit.

-- Alec (alecj@bellsouth.net), May 13, 2001.

I'm about to start developing my own B&W negatives. I read a couple books from my local library on B&W darkroom techniques. I made a list and checked it twice. Then I went shopping. Hopefully, this week I will mail order the basic supplies and equipment (less than US$100). After I've done it for a while, I'll consider upgrading the equipment (bigger develoment tank, maybe set up for printing). The biggest hurdle is printing the photos. You need an enlarger in a darkroom. I solved this problem by finding a rental darkroom nearby. Good luck and remember, take little steps.

-- Jeff Polaski (polaski@acm.org), May 14, 2001.

Really all you need is a few important things... a thermometer, a timer, trays (11x14 are good to start out with), a film tank and reels, an enlarger with lens, developers, stop and fixer, and water... doesn't have to be running water just a place where you can change the water when needed. You might want an easel for your prints and a heavy piece of glass for your contact prints... and to make things easy... a safe light for printing. This is a simple list and you will ALWAYS be adding articles but this will definitely get you started. I have set up darkrooms for people in bathrooms to full blown darkrooms and everything in between. You can start out in your basement at night with a safelight... you really don't need to many things to start out. Hope this helps a bit... Cheers

-- Scott Walton (scotlynn@shore.net), May 14, 2001.

I'm afraid it's my experience that most dealers in the UK wouldn't know a darkroom from the proverbial hole in the ground, and you'll be advised to spend 4 times the amount of money that you need to.
Get yourself along to the nearest camera club, where at least you'll find someone old enough to remember when 'Photoshop' just meant the place where they sold cameras. Chances are that you'll get loads of free (and maybe conflicting) advice, and the opportunity to get some hands on experience in a darkroom.

-- Pete Andrews (p.l.andrews@bham.ac.uk), May 14, 2001.