Any darkrooms in SG for rental and to print images from MF negs?

[sprewell]

Haha you guys have to to thank for bring up this topic

[Nikkornos]

Right place and right time!

[Scandiacus]

Sounds awesome! Can't wait to see the master(s) at work!

[Nikkornos]

Sounds awesome! Can't wait to see the master(s) at work!

Masters at work no fun to see.

Students at work making mistakes more fun to see. I will be one of them (lost all skills over ten years, now back to Student).

[hawkzeng]

Great news, I also would like to be volunteer and offer my help.

[Nikkornos]

Loshen, please say something to the potential users here.

[losheng]

Loshen, please say something to the potential users here.

Hey, guys, I'm surprised with the enthusiasm! I have been mulling over how to run this in a co-op style. The closest thing I have done is the beer fridge next to my desk in the office. There's only one rule for the beer fridge - "always put in more than you take out". As long as all drinkers abide by this rule, the fridge gets to be kept full, and anyone needs a drink can grab one anytime. So far this rule has worked well for several years.

I have just finished negotiating with the landlord to let me run a inlet water pipe, and an outlet. This went on for several months and finally he has agreed. At this point, I'm waiting for the quote from a contractor regarding the cost of laying several tens of feet of pipe, installing 2 ball valves, drilling a hole in the wall to run the outlet pipe. This is a difficult point in the project because this is where real money has to be spent. I don't wish the darkroom to be a bigger version of the make shift HDB store room that I had. It should be well fitted, so that the very process of making the prints is enjoyable. More importantly, it should be something that is able to inspire interests in wet darkroom.

To that end, it needs the following:

1. a stainless steel wash basin (a used version identified, costing approximately $450)
2. a stainless countertop with drainage - the top that the coffeeshops use to make coffee is great. (a used version identified, costing around $600)
3. a solid workbench for enlarger. (a brand new one cost around $600)
4. an exhaust fan with duct. (brand new set cost around $300, with installation)
5. a 12,000 btu portable aircon. (brand new set cost around $800)
6. bolt-less stainless steel shelves (brand new sets costing around $300 each)
7. plastic sheets to air seal the false ceiling and partition wall. This is needed because the room is next to a canteen, and it currently has a greasy smell. (Cost is cheap, but plenty of manual labourl to install it)
8. wires and sockets (cost is cheap, but needs labour for installation)
9. new coat of under-coat, and a fresh layer of paint (cost is cheap, but needs labour for installation)
10. rental and utility cost
11. piping cost, with a water meter installed (awaiting quotation)
12. a small electric dry cabinet to keep enlarger lens
13. additional daylight lighting
14. a frost-free fridge
15. various processing equipment (I have quite a number, but definitely the more the merrier).

Putting things in perspective, all that is going to cost less than a top of the line digital SLR. But it is still a substantial investments nonetheless.

Now, if any of you are willing to step forward to sponsor any of the above items, please let me know. The least I can do is to have your name tagged to the item, for all future users of the darkroom to admire and respect. :-) At the very least, if the venture should fail, we know who to return the items to :-) But we can't have the place as a garang guni junk yard, so if you prefer to donate a used item, please check with me for suitability first.

The lease for the space started this month, so money has started burning. Just like you guys, I look forward to getting the darkroom in operation as soon as possible! Stay tuned!

[Nikkornos]

You need more $$$$ in summary. Do get all of us for a mass E6 development. Let us discuss in details.
Those who need E6 will make it happen. First, we need to meet.

1. a stainless steel wash basin (a used version identified, costing approximately $450)
2. a stainless countertop with drainage - the top that the coffeeshops use to make coffee is great. (a used version identified, costing around $600)
3. a solid workbench for enlarger. (a brand new one cost around $600)
4. an exhaust fan with duct. (brand new set cost around $300, with installation) ** KDK I can do.
5. a 12,000 btu portable aircon. (brand new set cost around $800)
6. bolt-less stainless steel shelves (brand new sets costing around $300 each)
7. plastic sheets to air seal the false ceiling and partition wall. This is needed because the room is next to a canteen, and it currently has a greasy smell. (Cost is cheap, but plenty of manual labourl to install it) ** This one I know.
8. wires and sockets (cost is cheap, but needs labour for installation) ** Wiring technician
9. new coat of under-coat, and a fresh layer of paint (cost is cheap, but needs labour for installation) ^o^ once painted 7 days out of action.
10. rental and utility cost $$$$
11. piping cost, with a water meter installed (awaiting quotation)
12. a small electric dry cabinet to keep enlarger lens ** $280
13. additional daylight lighting
14. a frost-free fridge ** $180
15. various processing equipment (I have quite a number, but definitely the more the merrier). 4X5 enlarger. 6X6 enlarger. 6X6 projector.

[Shadowleong]

Very nice plan there losheng! kudos to you

As a student, it may be difficult to help out financially but will do all that I can

Will also spread the word to more analog folks, I believe its gonna be a boon for everyone be it doing LF or not,

A space to do printing is only limited to safra right now,

[sprewell]

I don't mind hunting around for a used dry cabinet online and contribute to this effort.

[sprewell]

Is 36L big enough?

[sfoto100]

Actually can take my dry cabinet, it is now too small for all those mindless purchases..

[losheng]

Hi, guys, thanks for all willingness to help! It looks like we will have be able to get a sponsored dry box.

Just to report on the progress - Ernest and I have been working very hard this week to get the place in shape:



Of course, the first thing one needs to do for the darkroom is to darken it. So here we go:


And then you move in the basic furniture, added an exhaust fan, and call in the calvary to hook things up:


Next up, we'll need to get a TCL 12,000 BTU aircon to cool things down. This is the only solution that the management allows - I would have preferred a single split unit, which an used version will cost only $500 with installation. But I couldn't get the management to agree to this.

On top of that, we need to install an electricity meter, like this one, to report on the aircon usage monthly, which will be separately billed. Anyone heading to China soon, that can pick one up?

Lastly, to get streak free negatives, a home use water distiller will be handy to prepare the final rinse. Again, if any of you can bring a set back from China, or knows a cheap place to get one locally, that will be great!

And to keep all the paper, chemicals and bottles organized, a few Fami shelves are needed. If you guys have similar boltless shelves, or used ikea ivar systems, or equivalents, that you are willing to sponsor, please do let me know as well!

Oh, of course, and a 800kg rated Fami workbench to be used to hold the enlargers :-)

As soon as the aircon is installed, the darkroom is operational. I'm planning to do the move the film processor and enlargers next week. I will need to borrow a goods vehicle, and if I can't get one, I may have to seek help from you guys!

So, we are getting there! Stay tuned!

[pikapig]

Hi Losheng
Great to c de progress of de darkroom..

Just a suggestion, i think it will be easier to ask for a willing contribution amount from the guys rather than sponsoring an item by an individual..some are a little exp for an individual to fork out.
Since its a willing contribution, and it isnt for some sort of club or association plus not a donation, don really need to account for them..

I guess things shld get started with this method?

[ahhong]

if i've seen this earlier i would have brought some useful stuffs listed here from china....

Hi, guys, thanks for all willingness to help! It looks like we will have be able to get a sponsored dry box.

Just to report on the progress - Ernest and I have been working very hard this week to get the place in shape:



Of course, the first thing one needs to do for the darkroom is to darken it. So here we go:


And then you move in the basic furniture, added an exhaust fan, and call in the calvary to hook things up:


Next up, we'll need to get a TCL 12,000 BTU aircon to cool things down. This is the only solution that the management allows - I would have preferred a single split unit, which an used version will cost only $500 with installation. But I couldn't get the management to agree to this.

On top of that, we need to install an electricity meter, like this one, to report on the aircon usage monthly, which will be separately billed. Anyone heading to China soon, that can pick one up?

Lastly, to get streak free negatives, a home use water distiller will be handy to prepare the final rinse. Again, if any of you can bring a set back from China, or knows a cheap place to get one locally, that will be great!

As soon as the aircon is installed, the darkroom is operational. I'm planning to do the move the film processor and enlargers next week. I will need to borrow a goods vehicle, and if I can't get one, I may have to seek help from you guys!

So, we are getting there! Stay tuned!

[mamypoko]

I can help with my car during the big move! Just let me know in advance!

[lkkang]

I don't know what happened... I am crying...

[pikapig]

i got some strength n can do some cleaning..haha

[sprewell]

Can I just volunteer to buy the electricity meter as my contribution to the darkroom?

All I ask for is better rental rates of the darkroom

[Nikkornos]

Fridge, exhaust fan.