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.

Disclaimer: This page contains a list of the darkroom tools, supplies, papers, and chemistry I personally use in my own workflow. These recommendations are shared for informational purposes only and reflect my own experience, preferences, and working methods. Products, formulas, availability, pricing, and manufacturer instructions may change over time, so always verify current details before purchasing or use. Darkroom chemistry and equipment must be handled safely and responsibly. Please read all labels, safety data sheets, and manufacturer guidance, and use proper protective equipment and ventilation. I am not responsible for misuse, errors, omissions, or results obtained from the use of any products listed on this page.

Silver Gelatin Emulsion Making

3M #850 vinyl tape – https://amzn.to/4sZAmwA

Puddle Pushers (glass coating rods) – B&H

Lab Hot Plate Magnetic Stirrer – https://amzn.to/4c4lU0r

Stainless steel beaker (I use this as my main emulsion cooking pot) – https://amzn.to/4mqn1Lh

Long-Stem Digital Thermometer – https://amzn.to/4c4VgV7

25ml Stainless Steel Coating Spoon – https://amzn.to/4tK2J20

Peristaltic Pump (silver addition to salted gelatin) – https://amzn.to/4tyhODE

Silicone Tubing for Pump – https://amzn.to/48IxITN

5ml Syringes (used for silver addition) – https://amzn.to/4mnLMaQ

Lab Support Stand – https://amzn.to/4vpHrbl

K-Cup Filters – https://amzn.to/4c3oPq7

Small Heating Pad (warms the Coating Rod) – https://amzn.to/47Tt1Gs

11×14 Clear Bags (used to cover wet paper before squeegee) – https://amzn.to/47VQ8Ab

Canson Pro Layout Marker Paper (paper negatives) – https://amzn.to/3Q0PfAh

Fabriano Studio Watercolor Pad (11×14) for KCl Gaslight Printing Paper – https://amzn.to/3Q2kET2

Wooden Paint Sticks (used on bottom of paper for drying) – https://amzn.to/4c3BwBg

Stainless Steel Potato Ricer – https://amzn.to/4tYczgS (used for noodling the chilled emulsion before washing)

Nylon fabric (150 micron) – https://amzn.to/4tTEuOW (Used to wash the noodled emulsion)

Stainless Steel Pot – https://amzn.to/4mxj9Is (used for washing the emulsion)

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.)

Anti-static Cloth – https://amzn.to/4sFDmNS (Before scanning my film, I blow the film off with canned air (https://amzn.to/4tozxhg) and then I lay down the Anti-static cloth and place the film on it. Then I take a separate anti-static cloth and gently glide it over the film on both sides. As the final step, I use the silicon rubber roller (dust eliminator) listed above. I don’t put any pressure with the roller. Just let it glide over 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