Safelights

Posted on Posted in PrintsTagged

Safelights aren’t always safe. They are not safe for all materials, nor are they safe for unlimited time.

Safelight Safety Factor:

not closer than 4 feet.not longer than 4 minutes — 4×4 rule

The chart we use from a 1999 Kodak publication. We have the OA, OC, OO, 1A, 2, 3 10, 13 filters. They can be selected by switch, when needed. The approach we take to using safelights is to limit use. Our lights are located lower than most other darkrooms. The lghts are located lower than work tables, and are directed toward floors.

In addition, we have deep red flashlights for locating items just out of reach on work tables. Even our white lights are low power, or are very narrowly directed for their few purposes. The main use of white light is select, and clean, and make notes; even then, most of our notes are made on the back fo the print, or on recorder.

in the dark, you learn to grope your way, and talk to yourself

PranksterNotes safelights

RH Designs via SDS Arrived

Posted on Posted in the Lab

After a short search, and added reflection, I decided to buy some new darkroom electronics.

The darkroom ages are alive in Europe, certainly in the UK. I don’t know how strong they are, but they do still have prodcut to ship, and they do ship promptly. So, last weekend I ordered several products from SDS, almost because of their name, but really because they are the resting place for RH Designs products.

A — SAFELIGHT TORCH COLOUR OR B/W: Back&white;-bright red LED
B — RH DESIGNS ZONEMASTER II
C — STOPCLOCK PROFESSIONAL 220V,110V option: 110V-USA,Canada,Japan
D — PAPER FLASHER II

The Journey Here

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UPS got it here quickly enough. And it was nicely packed. Boxes with peanuts, inside boxes with peanuts.Digital00521prankser
Of course, it doesn’t cost peanuts, either to buy, or to ship. Nor peanuts to dispose of those bitzy plastic bits….
But it is as easy as buying from Freestyle, or Roberts.

Unboxed

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Unbagged

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Some Assembly Required

It isn’t plug and play, you will have to play with plugs — even do some screwdriver work, before the timer will control your enlarger. In my case, I am hooking to a Beseler Dichro45 head.

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Most enlarger plugs, particularly of old enlargers, look like this one, which is the timer end of a Dichro45 head. This will have to be cut off, and replaced before it fits the new timer. So that is what we will do. Included in the RH package are two plugs provided so that you can connect enlarger and safelight. They also have instructions, after a manner. Digital00525prankser

After The Snip

With the knife work done, we just have to plug everything together. So, to the darkroom, whcih is where it all leads to, doesn’t it?

first in series.

links:

RH designs information. with link to
beyond monochrome