Useful Accessories

The useful accessories are really essential for black and white film processing but several other items may be found in the well-equipped darkroom. Some workers for example, have adapted their processing methods to those used for color work. There are various ways of mechanizing the routine, some elaborate, some quite simple. With modern small tanks this is usually achieved by inverting the tank two or three times at the end of each minute or so, but there are various power-driven machines on which the tank can be placed so that it rotates and either rocks from end to end or reverses its rotation ‘periodically. Washing the film is an important part of processing and there are various accessories to aid that routine from a simple length of tubing to lead water to the bottom of the tank to various designs to increase the water force and to mix air with it. After washing, the film has to be hung up to dry. Film clips are supplied for that purpose. Drying can be hastened by directing a hair dryer or fan heater on to the film but that can be asking for trouble. Any dust, fluff or other foreign bodies in the air may be driven into the emulsion with sufficient force to make it irremovable. Various designs of film-drying cabinet are available, most based on tall cupboard like containers, with gentle heat (from lamp bulbs, perhaps) at the bottom, protected from drops and with screened air inlets at the bottom and outlets at the top.