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Similar to red room photo labs seen in movies and on TV, a darkroom is a completely dark, light-sealed room that's used to process light-sensitive photographic film and paper. Samy's Camera has everything you need to keep your darkroom setup fully stocked and ready to make prints from your best negatives. We carry a wide selection of film, photographic paper, and film-developing equipment from trusted brands, like Kodak and Ilford, so you always have what you need for any darkroom photography project.

Film Developing Equipment

Samy's knows how important it is to keep a well-stocked darkroom setup for developing film and prints. We have photo-developing chemicals to help process your negatives from start to finish, with a wide assortment of developers, fixers, and stop baths to choose from. We also have all the darkroom equipment needed for the darkroom process including developing tanks, film reels, film changing bags, trays, tongs, graduated cylinders, film chemical storage containers, and more.

We even have enlarging equipment for darkroom printing, including enlarger lenses, film holders, filters, and timers to help you get your best print every time. And when you're all done, you can get film archiving supplies, like film negative storage sheets and print holders to keep your images safe until you're ready to use them again. If you'd find it in a film darkroom, you'll find it at Samy's Cameras.

Film and Darkroom Reviews

Kodak Tri-X 400 Black and White Negative Film (35mm Roll Film, 36 Exposures)

"Samy's price is better than even the big NYC stores. My order was shipped quickly, and the film I received doesn't expire for another two years. I'm looking forward to being a repeat customer."

William R. Blytheville, AR.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Do You Need A Darkroom To Develop Film?

Actually, no, you do not need a darkroom to develop film. The film is extremely light sensitive and requires total darkness at certain points in the darkroom process, like when transferring the film in the film development tank for chemical processing. However, this task can be done without a darkroom, in a film-changing bag, which is light-sealed to protect the film. Film-developing tanks are also light-sealed so that you can pour chemicals in and out without having to expose the film to light. Once the film is fully processed, it is no longer light-sensitive and safe to remove from the tank.

You will need a photography darkroom when making prints of your images with a negative enlarger. Enlargers require enough room for developing photos. You'll also need basic darkroom equipment to chemically process those prints, especially if they are large in size.

How Long Does It Take To Develop Film?

When developing film yourself at home, the darkroom process can take anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes to develop a roll of film. Film development times will depend on your equipment, film development techniques, and the chemicals you are using to develop the film.

Film chemicals, including developers, fixers, stop baths, and hardeners, will all have different required processing times depending on their purpose and instructions. Black and white photography chemistry is different from the chemicals for color photography and will have different processing times as well. Be sure to follow the instructions on developing chemicals to help you get the most out of your film negatives.

How Do I Store My Darkroom Chemicals?

Storing darkroom chemicals properly is crucial for both their efficacy and your safety. Ideally, these chemicals should be stored in specialized film chemical storage containers that are air-tight, corrosion-resistant, and clearly labeled. Keep these containers in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and far from food or drink. Some chemicals may have specific temperature requirements or may need to be stored upright to prevent leakage. Always read the manufacturer's guidelines for optimal storage conditions to maintain the effectiveness of your darkroom chemicals and to ensure they remain stable and safe to use.

Can I Develop Film Without Chemicals?

While chemical-free methods of film development like solarography do exist, they are considered experimental and yield results that differ significantly from traditional photography. Solarography typically involves long-term exposure and results in highly abstract, less-defined images.

Can I Use LED Lights in the Darkroom?

Yes, LED lights can be used in a darkroom, but with some conditions. The LED lights must be specifically designed to function as "safelights," which means they don't emit wavelengths that would expose or fog your light-sensitive materials like film or paper.

How Do I Dispose of Darkroom Chemicals?

It's essential to dispose of chemicals in an environmentally safe manner. Contact your local waste disposal services for guidelines, as pouring chemicals down the drain is generally not advised.

How Do I Achieve Better Contrast in My Prints?

Achieving better contrast in your prints involves a multi-faceted approach that can include the choice of photographic paper, adjustment of developing times, and the use of contrast filters in the enlarger. Different types of photographic paper have varying degrees of contrast sensitivity. Additionally, manipulating the developing time can have a profound impact on the contrast levels of your final print.

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Fujifilm INSTAX Mini Rainbow Instant Film (10 Exposures)