New here and looking to buy some gear

[tekguy22]

Good afternoon all. As this is my first post allow me to introduce myself. My name is James, from guelph Ontario. Have been away from photography for some years now but want to get back into it. I took classes in highschool and in college in black & white photography and darkroom. I loved developing my own negatives and prints and I am trying to slowly build a home darkroom for myself.

That's my main reason for seeking out this forum, and I do apologise if this isn't the place for this, is I'm looking for a used enlarger for my darkroom. doesn't have to be fancy, have a lot of bells and whistles, or even be shiny and new. All I want is something basic, not too expensive, and that works. If anyone knows of a good place I can get one in the Guelph/Kitchener/Waterloo/Brantford/Hamilton area, or if you have something that is in your garage that is collecting dust or know someone who does could you let me know.

Any help/suggestions would be great

[tegan]

Welcome to the forum, but I have more questions for you, than answers. Surely you are aware that almost no one uses darkrooms anymore. Why would you want to be back in a time warp? :) Darkrooms have become computers and software and digital photography has caught up with the quality of most film cameras and even surpassed them.

Black and white photography is also history in the sense that the quality that used to be there several decades ago is no longer present. Tones and grey scales are just not there and that is despite the technology. Moreover black and white suggests very old which is inappropriate for a lot of content.

Have you taken a serious look at digital photography?

Tegan

[w3rk5]

Hi James. I think it's great that you still have a interest in developing your own negatives and prints. I use to develop my own b&w too but never got to doing traditional prints. One day, I would love to set up my own darkroom also. :)

In regards to the enlarger my best suggestion is to look at ebay. Good luck with it.

[tekguy22]

Welcome to the forum, but I have more questions for you, than answers. Surely you are aware that almost no one uses darkrooms anymore. Why would you want to be back in a time warp? :) Darkrooms have become computers and software and digital photography has caught up with the quality of most film cameras and even surpassed them.

Black and white photography is also history in the sense that the quality that used to be there several decades ago is no longer present. Tones and grey scales are just not there and that is despite the technology. Moreover black and white suggests very old which is inappropriate for a lot of content.

Have you taken a serious look at digital photography?

Tegan

hi tegan,

To answer your questions, it's two things..first I love to work with my hands, I love to build and create stuff. One of the big draws to a darkroom for me is the hands on, make it from pretty much scratch feel of it. I used to do this while i was in highschool and college (graduated around 10 years ago from college so I'm still pretty young) and I kinda miss it. I just love it and even though the process is dated with computer and digital technology what it is today, I still love the entire process of developing the negs, and printing/developing the finished product. Call me nostalgic or a romantic but it's just something that appeals to me.

Second is simpler, money. I have gotten most of the equipment now that i need (enlarger yesterday too) all for around 200 dollars (enlarger-112, trays and accs for 20, timer for 60) all I need is a safelight and a chemicals and I'm set. so all told I'm going to be spending around 300 dollars on everything...far less than the 1000 or so I'd need to spend on a digital slr,memory cards and lenses.

So bottom line, I love working in a darkroom. and I can't afford the equipment to go all digital

[Marko]

Welcome!

I think that's totally cool tekguy22.

I've said this MANY times. There's 'something' about creating a print in the darkroom that feels more special than digital manipulation.

I would suggest craig's list. Just write up an ad for your area. I've had good success with craigslist.org

Marko

[w3rk5]

I've said this MANY times. There's 'something' about creating a print in the darkroom that feels more special than digital manipulation.

I hear the same thing many times myself.

Anyway, congrats on getting enlarger James. I knew you would get it sooner than later. :)

[w3rk5]

I've said this MANY times. There's 'something' about creating a print in the darkroom that feels more special than digital manipulation.

I hear the same thing many times myself.

Anyway, congrats on getting the enlarger James. I knew you would find one sooner than later. :)

[tekguy22]

Yup..good ol' Ebay