starting

[MattPC]

Buy box-lots of 'darkroom stuff' off online auctions and be brutal with how much you are prepared to pay. I bought 2 box-lots for $50 and $40 respectively and had everything (except consumables) I needed to get going, plus a pile of spare stuff. (within the last 18 months). My 50mm lens is not one of the big names mentioned here, but i can make 12x16 enlargments from 35mm with it and the limiting factor is presently the quality of my negative capture/processing not the enlarger lens.

Don't overlook the cost of consumables and black-out materials in your budget. Builders paper is effective and cheap, but makes humidity/damp an issue (I just put up with it, and store my lens (with cameras) in a cupboard with some dessicant) Do your printing at night and black-out is much less critical.

Once you are printing you can think about what items you'd like to change/upgrade to make it easier/more fun. For example: I fairly quickly 'exchanged' my first enlarger for one with a filter drawer and longer column (cost of 'exchange' was another $60). But (to date) most of my improvement has come simply from learning.

MattPC.

[Alexis M]

thank you all for your advice , links, ideas etc.

I will get some equipment and just start and learn while i go...like i did with photography developing film etc...the trial and error part seems to be the best part anyways.

[Alexis M]

so a little update i'd like to share. I got myself the basics, a saunders/LPL D6700 with a 50mm nikor 2.8, it came with an easel a gralab timer and a set of trays. 85$ there was a Beseler 23 for sale but i saw it too late...regardless, i'm happy with this.

I got some dektol and i made myself a safelight...it's safe i tested it. Got some ilford multigrade deluxe..

I developed my first 2 prints today after work...man time flies in there.

It's pretty much what i expected, a very absorbing and satisfying experince....i''m hooked!

Now time to get a lens and holder so i can print my medium format stuff.