Ventilation when printing at home

[juggler]

I suppose most of us will be using the toilet to do printing since there's water supply.
After I light-proof the louvered-windows and door, the place becomes more humid the longer I stay in there. And the smell of chemicals becoming a little unbearable...

How do you guys take care of ventilation?

[waileong]

Don't use the toilet.

You need water, but you don't need running water.

[juggler]

If doing it in a room, it would be more comfortable if there's air-con. But it would mean more effort to light-proof the room as the windows would be bigger and brighter from outside light.
But afraid of accidental chemical spillage and would be messy to clean up.

I thought of a ventilation idea in the toilet using a flexible hose and a small fan to suck out the air inside. Not sure if workable. Want to get more alternatives.

[iggy]

hmm, a portable air con with an exhaust fan might work

[fastshot]

No problem with using the toilet. Install a small electric fan to get some air circulation in there.
Assuming you're printing B/W, you will only need a few minutes in there for each print once everything is nicely setup. You need to close the toilet door just before taking the paper out of the box and up to the point when the exposed print gets into the fixer. After that, the door can be opened and you can switch on the lights. You can then take your time to finish the fixing and washing.

[student]

Originally Posted by fastshot No problem with using the toilet. Install a small electric fan to get some air circulation in there. Assuming you're printing B/W, you will only need a few minutes in there for each print once everything is nicely setup. You need to close the toilet door just before taking the paper out of the box and up to the point when the exposed print gets into the fixer. After that, the door can be opened and you can switch on the lights. You can then take your time to finish the fixing and washing.

Agree with that!

There are "odourless" chemicals around. I use Ilford chemicals such as the multigrade paper developer and their fixer. If you do not have continuous running water, it will make sense to have an acidic stopbath so as to "save" on your fixer.

But make sure that if you accidently spill chemicals on the floor (guarantee will happen!), you will be able to wash them away thoroughly!

[csisfun]

Originally Posted by student Agree with that! There are "odourless" chemicals around. I use Ilford chemicals such as the multigrade paper developer and their fixer. If you do not have continuous running water, it will make sense to have an acidic stopbath so as to "save" on your fixer. But make sure that if you accidently spill chemicals on the floor (guarantee will happen!), you will be able to wash them away thoroughly!

Hi student,

Where exactly can you get "odourless" fixers? I've heard of it but never seen it around the regular shops.

[student]

Originally Posted by csisfun Hi student, Where exactly can you get "odourless" fixers? I've heard of it but never seen it around the regular shops.

I use Ilford fixer. Freshly made, I can put my nose close to the tray without getting any "significant"smell. But please, do not spill it on carpets! I did that once, and it took me several days with all kinds of carpet cleaners to remove the smell!

[csisfun]

Originally Posted by student I use Ilford fixer. Freshly made, I can put my nose close to the tray without getting any "significant"smell. But please, do not spill it on carpets! I did that once, and it took me several days with all kinds of carpet cleaners to remove the smell!

I find that any fixer has a horrible smell when you actually smell it. It's worse when you get it on your fingers and don't wash with soap. Agefix or Ilford Rapid fixer, they smell equally horrible.

Sorry student, do you have any idea where to buy odourless fixers despite using your current fixer?

[student]

Originally Posted by csisfun I find that any fixer has a horrible smell when you actually smell it. It's worse when you get it on your fingers and don't wash with soap. Agefix or Ilford Rapid fixer, they smell equally horrible. Sorry student, do you have any idea where to buy odourless fixers despite using your current fixer?

I must be getting old!

Perhaps I am losing my sense of smell! Or perhaps I am so used to smells that I am not affected much by such smells!

First, let me tell you how I handle my chemicals. I actually put my hand into the chemicals, including fixer. I enjoy the sense of how the chemicals are acting on the paper! And all I do is just wash my fingers in running water. And there is no smell! And all this is done in my office. And nobody in my office ever complain of the smell!

Now, If you really want to have odourless fixer, you will have to get from the US. The website is www.photoformulary.com. The fixer is TF4.

[csisfun]

Originally Posted by student I must be getting old! Perhaps I am losing my sense of smell! Or perhaps I am so used to smells that I am not affected much by such smells! First, let me tell you how I handle my chemicals. I actually put my hand into the chemicals, including fixer. I enjoy the sense of how the chemicals are acting on the paper! And all I do is just wash my fingers in running water. And there is no smell! And all this is done in my office. And nobody in my office ever complain of the smell! Now, If you really want to have odourless fixer, you will have to get from the US. The website is www.photoformulary.com. The fixer is TF4.

That's what I do too, I do dip my whole hand into fixer when developing paper. I probably am younger than you and probably have a better sense of smell, so that might explain it. Also probably the reason why odourless fixer was made.

Thanks. Will check out that fixer, maybe I will get it too.

[student]

Originally Posted by csisfun That's what I do too, I do dip my whole hand into fixer when developing paper. I probably am younger than you and probably have a better sense of smell, so that might explain it. Also probably the reason why odourless fixer was made. Thanks. Will check out that fixer, maybe I will get it too.

Well, do you not enjoy the rather sensuous feeling of the developer on the paper, and how the "texture" changes when the paper is put into the fixer?

I had used the TF4 before, in a friend's darkroom in Colorado, for one week.

(Sorry, should be TF4)

[csisfun]

Originally Posted by student Well, do you not enjoy the rather sensuous feeling of the developer on the paper, and how the "texture" changes when the paper is put into the fixer? I had used the TP4 before, in a friend's darkroom in Colorado, for one week.

Oh yes. Real smooth and beautiful.

[juggler]

I am using Ilford stop bath and fixer. I also try to avoid contact with the solutions by using tongs. So far so good. But after a few hours (each day stretching over next few days) in the unventilated room, I feel the vapours irritating my throat. The place started to get more humid too.

Thanks for all suggestions and now I even know there's odourless chemicals.
I will try the suggested methods to ventilate the place.