Initially when I built my tiny darkroom 5 years ago I was printing mostly 8×10 images and had a plan for using the adjacent garage minus cars at night if I needed to print larger. However with the purchase of the 5×12 camera I find that I needed 11×14 paper for the contact prints and setting up in two spaces is not practical. So I had to purchase 11×14 trays, which in actuality are 12.5 x 15.5 wide at the top of the angled sides. My dry sink will only hold about 22.5 inches of tray turned sideways so that has led me to stacking the trays so I can fit them all in.

The developer tray is set on a 5″ riser and overhangs the stop bath tray sitting flat in the sink. The fixer tray is off to the right but it fits under the initial wash/soaking tray which is a big 12×16 tray. But with this configuration I can now also print my images up to 11×14 without splashing fixer or stop into my developer or wash water. I have always liked the intimacy of an 8×10 image in the way you could hold it close and examine it. But after printing some 7×14 panos and 11×14 prints I find I like the openness of the larger print. I’m sure its merely a perception issue but the larger image just feels right. enlarging 4×5 to 10×12.5 is also a nice scale on 11×14 and has nice big margins for me to mess up.

Then there is cost. My usual 8×10 papers run from $1 to $1.5 per sheet, but 11×14 puts me in the $2.25+ range per image. Not a huge jump but when you consider I may make 8-10 prints of the same image it can add up. There is also cost of chemistry, big paper means I am using twice as much chemistry for the developing process. Drying space is also required for the larger prints so I have to spread things out a bit more. Storage is also a factor but I am good at reusing my film and paper boxes as well as large shoe boxes. I just have to weed out the test prints to pare things down. Eventually I will mat and frame the larger images too so there will be additional costs of materials there.

So those of you thinking of a jump in format please be aware it will impact your budget if you have one. Not only will you pay more for camera, lenses, film, backpacks/carry systems, and a beefier tripod, you should plan for the doubling of the costs of your darkroom supplies or even more if you reach for a bigger enlarger too. Like most hobbies or professions the costs to play can vary widely but what becomes desirable or convenient often outweighs the incremental costs. G.A.S. and peer pressure can also lead you down more costly paths but try to stay true to your art and be happy with what you can produce with limited resources or economize elsewhere.