How many people print wet rather than digital?

[MP Guy]

How many of you print your own prints? Do you use traditional methods with enlarger or have converted to digital? I hear that B&W can still only be done properly with chemicals and real photo paper. What are your thougts on this?

[rpsawin]

Jorge,

I do both and find that my preference is to use a darkroom. I've yet to see a printer, under $1,000, that can come close to matching a print out of a darkroom. Again, I'm speaking about B&W. I saw some truly stunning prints from a Canon printer this last weekend...~$1,900. That will buy me alot of darkroom time and supplies.

Of course I'm being hyper-critical of my work and I have a very specific look/feel I'm trying to acheive. For less critical prints I think digital processing is great...works fine. Again, be prepared to spend a few bucks on ink.

Bob

[MP Guy]

I m considering the epson 4000. however, it takes 8 ink cartridges in 2 sizes. The large size is $120.00 per cartridge the small is 70.00 per crtridge. That cn cost 960.00 to fil up with ink.

[saldimarcojr]

For black & white prints, I prefer the traditional wet process. I have yet to see a really quality computer generated exhibition print. The same holds for color work, except when the output is on a traditional color printing paper and chemically processed.
Happy Snaps, Sal

[That Guy]

I wish I had a darkroom. I'm planning for a spot in the basement. Got plumbing, electricity and a floor drain in a good spot. But so far I've only been planning for it. I haven't been in a darkroom since high school. And I really miss it.

[oftheherd]

I no longer have an enlarger. It would be kind of inconvenient to put one in the laundry room now, even thought when the house was built I made sure there was a sink there to use as a darkroom sink.

My current plans are to develop my b/w film at home, then scan it with an Epson 3200 I am trying to buy. I always enjoyed working in a wet darkroom though. Lots of fun to go with the frustration. I am hoping to enjoy the digital half as well. I also just purchased a Unicolor Uniroller and a couple of tanks so 8x10 prints can be wet.

[fcg]

yes my friend suggested digital solutions at6000+ which would make good prints.
but im not persuaded.
darkroom lenses and eq are at the shows; and are CHEAP; i just got a 50/2.8 nikkor mint inthe plastic case. enlarging lense for 25$
fcg

[GeneW]

I guess I'm the contrarian. I still have my old darkroom equipment in my basement storage, and I intend to leave it there

I would never argue that I can get digital prints quite as good as what I can get from a wet darkroom. I can, however, come close, and with much less bother. For me, that's good enough. I'm not hanging any prints in art galleries anyway. I shoot just for the fun of it and I enjoy looking at photos on my computer monitor.

For me, life's too short to get back into the darkroom business...

Gene