Supplies - Tim Layton Fine Art

I am asked all the time about the cameras, tools, and supplies that I use, so I created this page with links to all the exact tools and supplies that I use in my darkroom.

The links are Amazon or B&H affiliate links, so your purchase will help us earn a small commission at no charge to you.

I purchase all of my Chemistry from Mike at Artcraft Chemicals. If you want a 10% discount when using my links below, enter this code during checkout to receive your special discount: Layton10%

Darkroom Supplies & Gear

Small/Precision Screws & Bolts For Cameras

LARGE FORMAT FILM SCANNING

I drum scan my NatureArtRx large format color negative sheet film using the following supplies and materials directly below:

Gamsol Oil (Film Mounting Fluid with no fumes) – https://amzn.to/4c6FEOU

Tesa 4104 (now 60404) PVC 1/2 inch Tape For Wet Mounting Film – https://amzn.to/49JCa3j or from Findtape.com at https://www.findtape.com/tesa-4104-PVC-Packaging-Tape/p1300/

Silicon Rubber Roller (dust eliminator) – https://amzn.to/3Tb7vVr (As a final step before drum scanning my large format film, I use this special roller to remove any microscopic particles of dust that may be on the film.)

Heavy Duty Tape Dispenser – https://amzn.to/3wMyxeg

Squeeze Bottle for Mounting Fluid – https://amzn.to/3V7QuOw

Bamboo Lint Free Paper Towels – https://amzn.to/4a5YXpw

AZ42 Optical Grade Mylar – https://www.aztek.net/az42-4mil-optical-grade-mylar-9-x-11-or-12-x-18/ (Used with the Gamsol oil and Tesa tape to wet mount my large format film).

AZ Optical Wipes – https://www.aztek.net/az-optical-wipe/ (I excluively use these optical wipes to clean my large format film and all of the parts of my drum scanner. I also use these optical wipes to clean my lenses.)

Aztec Kami Safe Tape – https://www.aztek.net/kami-safe-1-2-tape/ (I used this tape when I used Kami flud, but now that I am using Gamsol oil, I am using the Tesa PVC tape listed above).

Film Cleaner – https://www.aztek.net/kami-rc2001-film-cleaner-1-liter/ (I always clean my large format film with this cleaner using the AZ Optical Wipes. I lay the film on a piece of lint free bamboo paper towel that is listed above.)

Kami Mounting Fluid – https://www.aztek.net/kami-smf2001-scanner-mounting-fluid-1-liter/ (I am using up my supply of this and once it is gone, I will only be using Gamsol Oil as my large format film mounting fluid.)

5×8 Crystal Clear Ziplock Bags for 4×5 Holders – 6 mil https://amzn.to/48MFfyj or 4 mil https://www.clearbags.com/5-x-8-crystal-clear-zips-4-mil-100-pieces-z4c58.html or 2 mil https://amzn.to/437s6OV (I use these to put my 4×5 film holders in so no dust gets in them. I also use them for freezing my 4×5 film too). I like to use the thicker 6 mil for the freezer.

Paint Can Filter Stand – https://amzn.to/4aN56Iy (I use this to hold funnels when I need to use my hands for other things)

1 Liter Glass Milk Bottles – https://amzn.to/47J9XIY

500ml Glass Milk Bottles – https://amzn.to/3GD57AN

250ml/500ml/1000ml Beaker with Handle – https://amzn.to/418TZoY

Glass Stir Rods – https://amzn.to/484PKNh

Glass Test Tubes with Stand – https://amzn.to/4aceiFZ

3oz Paper Cups – https://amzn.to/3GwKVAH

16 oz Squeeze Bottles – https://amzn.to/3NeD2nj

100ml/250ml/500ml/1000ml Glass Lab Grade Chemistry Bottles – https://amzn.to/3uOjoYY

Lab Squirt Bottle – https://amzn.to/3Re6laC

Chemical Grade 1000ml Storage Bottles – https://amzn.to/46I4el7

100 to 1000ml Glass Beaker Set – https://amzn.to/3GvjOpB

2000ml Beaker with Handle – https://amzn.to/3GQwrMp

120ml Amber Dropper Bottles – https://amzn.to/48x9Wrt

1oz/2oz/4oz Amber Glass Dropper Bottles – https://amzn.to/3NiqefD

Nitrile Gloves – https://amzn.to/417VPq9

Wooden Stir Sticks – https://amzn.to/418UjUI

4 piece glass funnel set – https://amzn.to/41b2waO

4 piece plastic funnel set – https://amzn.to/419icva

1.7 Liter Electric Kettle – https://amzn.to/3t95W1l

1000ml Lab Reagent Grade Black Plastic Bottles – https://amzn.to/3NhfJZV

250ml Lab Reagent Grade Black Plastic Bottles – https://amzn.to/4a5RJTx

Blotter Paper – https://amzn.to/3sYDOhs

Water Distiller Machine – https://amzn.to/3RvLVeI (I make my own distilled water)

Charcoal Filters For Distiller – https://amzn.to/46Iu4Wg

Mineral Additive for Distilled Water – https://amzn.to/47DM4lX

Lab Stand – https://amzn.to/3RwPf9y

White Beeswax Block – https://amzn.to/419oqeu (use block for waxing paper negatives)

White Beeswax Pellets – https://amzn.to/4a8pOSS (melt for waxing prints)

Lavender Oil – https://artcraftchemicals.com/products/lavender-oil-nf-part-1720 (for waxing handmade prints along with white beeswax pellets)

5 Inch Lab Grade Heating Plate + Magnetic Stirrer (my second unit) – https://amzn.to/482P6Qs

Corning Pro Grade Hot Plate + Magnetic Stirrer (my main unit) – https://amzn.to/3NhDJfs

Corning Temp Probe – https://amzn.to/3RtOSfS

Corning Stainless Rod – https://amzn.to/419FUYq

Dorlands Art Wax – https://amzn.to/3t5PsqJ (wax Pt/Pd, Kallitype prints)

Bottle Brush – https://amzn.to/47Hq1e4

2 Gallon Glass Jar – https://amzn.to/47X6ZAo (I use this to sun my silver bath)

Lint Free 2×2 Wipes – https://amzn.to/417tArH (use these for waxing prints)

Jumbo Cotton Balls – https://amzn.to/3uR9oOH (use for wet plate, salt printing, etc.)

Jumbo Ziplock Bags – https://amzn.to/46Nq4nA (store paper in here, 8×10 holders, etc.)

Black Porcelain Baking Tray for 8×10 and Smaller Salt/Alt Print Clearing – https://amzn.to/3GyWFTe

PVA Sizing – https://amzn.to/3Tm1V4t (used as alternative to gelatin sizing)

Formaldehyde (37%) – https://amzn.to/3uWErs9 (used as a hardener vs. Glyoxal because it doesn’t yellow over time)

Art Drying Rack (up to 13×17 artwork) – https://amzn.to/3GXwBBq (I use this for whole plate, 8×10, 8×20, 11×14, and 16×20 prints)

Stainless Steel Sink (Single Basin 36″ x 24″ x 14″) 16-gauge type 430 stainless steel compartment – https://www.webstaurantstore.com/steelton-36-16-gauge-stainless-steel-one-compartment-commercial-utility-sink-36-x-24-x-14-bowl/522US13624.html

Empty Tea Bags (for loading with chemistry) – https://amzn.to/48B71y8

Hawk Crawler (500 lb capacity) for LF/ULF Field Cart – https://amzn.to/3REpcf

Weights (I cut these individually and use these to weigh down paper when washing, etc.) – https://amzn.to/48CAg3h

Digital Timer (I have several of these) – https://amzn.to/3H115Cv

AAA Rechargeable Batteries – https://amzn.to/3vAUmNa

AA Rechargeable Batteries – https://amzn.to/3NW6crN

My Favorite Silver Gelatin Papers & Chemistry

I use silver gelatin papers for large and ultra large format contact printing. These same papers can be used for making enlargements, I simply no longer make enlargements and exclusively focus on making contact prints.

Ilford FB Warmtone Semi-Matt – [B&H]

Ilford FB Classic Matte – [B&H]

Ilford FB Art 300 – [B&H]

Ilford Multigrade Developer – [B&H]

TF-4 Fixer – [B&H]

Nelson Gold Toner – [B&H]

Kodak Rapid Selenium Toner – [B&H]

Portable Darkroom Tent

Eskimo Quikckfish 3 (70″L x 70″W x 80″H) – https://amzn.to/47i49VC (I have this one)
Eskimo Quickfish 2 (5ft L x 5ft W x 5.6ftH) – https://amzn.to/3TDxkiR

** The QF3 has 4 1ftx1ft windows (with velcro covers)

The seams and pinholes must be sprayed and sealed with black Plasti Dip spray paint or a mix of clear silicone + mineral spirits + black paint.

HD Velco – https://amzn.to/4aPRNHs
Used for attaching curtains to tent material to cover light leaks from the doors.

Plasti Dip Paint for pin holes and repairs – https://amzn.to/3vlTFHB

3M 1 Inch HD Double-Sided Tape – https://amzn.to/47hNJN5

42×63 Blackout Curtains (for ensuring inside is light safe) – https://amzn.to/3NHOqbB
Use velcro and glue OR 3M double-sided tape to cover the door areas.

USB Rechargeable Fan With Clamps for darkroom tent – https://amzn.to/3NMfWot

USB Rechargeable Fan for the floor – https://amzn.to/3NN9u0p

Red/White/Blue/Green Round LED Puck Push Lights – https://amzn.to/3viJq6V (I use these for red safelights and white light when needed).

8×20 Ultra Large Format

I purchased a brand new 8×20 ULF camera from Chamonix, 4 film/paper negative holders, and a handmade custom wet plate holder. You can watch the unboxing video that I published on June 13, 2022.

I was very fortunate to find a hardshell case that fits my camera like it was custom-made for it, and I got a second case to house my 4 film/negative holders that also appear to be custom-made for them.

I also have a high-end professional-quality backpack that fits the 8×20 and all 4 holders if I choose to carry that many.

If the terrain is too rugged or I need assistance, I have a Hawk Crawler that will go just about anywhere I want, and it has more capacity than I would ever want to haul.

Hawk Crawler (500 lb capacity) for LF/ULF Field Cart – https://amzn.to/3REpcfs

These tools allow me the ultimate freedom as an ultra large format landscape photographer and continue to enjoy my true passion in life at retirement age.

8×20 ULF 16x24x4 Stainless Steel Developing Tray – https://amzn.to/3RU2am6

8×20 ULF 16x24x2.75 Stainless Steel Developing Tray – https://amzn.to/48u2xch

Lid (18×26) for ULF Stainless Developing Tray – https://amzn.to/3NHVXqG

16×20 ULF Stainless Steel Developing Tray KUNWU Stainless Steel Pan 28″x20″x2.75″ – https://amzn.to/3TD4HlW

16×20 ULF Stainless Steel Developing Tray (KUNWU Stainless Steel Pan 28″x20″x4″) – https://amzn.to/3NHrfyb

3 Inch Density Foam 24×72 (line totes with this for field travel) – https://amzn.to/3GZVUCV