Expert: Martin Seymour - 7/15/2009

Question
Hello
It's been many years since I used a darkroom, but I use 5x4 regularly (or would do if the cost of processing wasn't so high!) I'm thinking of processing b&w 5x4 in a tank in the utility room attached to the kitchen. We do have a member of the family who suffers allergies, and I am anxious to know how toxic/lingering modern b&w chemical smells are. We also have a dog who lives in this room. I just can't remember how pungent the chemicals are, and whether they will be easy to clear with an open window! I'd like to use LF more, and this seems the best way to get round the prohibitive £2 min cost per sheet for commercial processing!

Answer
Hi Russell
How about that 5x4 great stuff real photography. It would certainly pay you to process you own opening the window could be difficult as to security and temperature etc also keeping it dark inside!!!.
As to smell I cant honestly say how strong they are as I have got used to them over the years.BUT ITS NOT MUCH IAM SURE.

Have you considered an extractor fan in the window itself the kitchen type may do the trick? Or you could make a wooden panel that fits in the window aperture with the fan fixed to it, open the window a bit. And switch on the fan
Do you have your own 5x4 tanks etc should be able to pick these up cheap as most people have gone digital!
Or you could consider using roll film backs on 5x4 camera! To bring down the cost. 9x6 format!
good luck.
Martin