Need help in developing b&w negs at home

[Yvon]

I don't have a darkroom at home and I probably will not have it in the near future at least for the coming 6 months. I heard that only a developing tank and some chemicals will do the job easily. I have never tried it before, but I would like to. Can anyone give me some idear on how this is done, best if it is detailed. Thanks and have a nice day.

 

[sig]

http://www.chiifcameras.com/site2/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=63&Itemid=63

 

[gdi]

Read this from Ilford...

http://www.ilfordphoto.com/aboutus/download.asp?n=386

 

[raytoei@gmail.com]

Hello,

Yes you are right, while it is ideal to have a dark room, it has somewhat morphed into a dark bag and a scanner.

So Film -> Negatives, and Negatives -> Scanner.

Can i suggest that you go through this youtube clip on film development. Here is a good link:

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=how+to+develop+black+and+white+film&aq=8

thanks!

 

[ruby.monkey]

No mention of Mr Hick's fine How Do I... articles? For shame!

(Also look up roger_luo on eBay for some excellent granny knickers)

 

[Mcary]

I just developed my first roll, well four rolls film in 25 years last night, by pretty much following the directions in the links provided in this thread or similar ones.

Also if you have a large closet, bath, or other window less room you might be able to get away with not using a changing bag. Just make sure to stuff a couple of dark towels at bottom of the door and to let you eye adjust so they'll pick up any possible light leaks.

 

[rover]

I find the changing bag best for me. Even with no sight of my hands, with my arms/hands in the bag on a table in front of me, I can "see" what I am doing.

With the changing bag, if you are going to scan the negs, there is no need for a dark room.

 

[batterytypehah!]

Here's what I've found to be the bare minimum:

dark closet OR room OR changing bag
bottle opener
scissors
tank and reel
clock with seconds display
a couple of graduated jugs (can be cheap ones intended for kitchen use)
Your choice of developer and fixer*
Kitchen or bathroom sink
Massive Development Chart http://www.digitaltruth.com/devchart.php

A thermometer for the liquids is nice but not essential. You can also mix them ahead of time and let them come to room temperature.

An old apron and a supply of nitrile gloves, depending on how much you value your clothes and how nasty your developer is.

*If you don't think you'll be doing a lot of developing, get a liquid concentrate developer (such as Agfa Rodinal, Kodak HC-110). These you mix up only as needed and the concentrate keeps for a very long time.

EDIT: With liquid concentrate, you will also need something to accurately measure small volumes, such as a syringe (a needle is not necessary).

 

[robklurfield]

Like Mike Cary, I went back to souping at home after more than 25 years away from it a few months ago. Get a changing bag. You do not need much gear to do this, have fun and get good results. I think I spent less than $150 on everything I needed. A tank and reel(s). Chemicals. I like Rodinal. Some bottles (you can use bleach bottles). You can get away with a single graduate. A few clothes pins and you're all set. All I've done so far is one-hour stand dev. Very happy with my results. The only other thing you need is sink. You do not need darkness if you've got that changing bag. Go for it, have fun and post some results here.

 

[SolaresLarrave]

The key to this is practice. The gear and chemicals are easy to find, but you really need to practice how to spool the film into the reels without looking at it (because you'll have to do it in a changing bag).

When you buy the hardware, get the plastic reels and tanks. They're a lot easier than the steel stuff. Later, once you've mastered them (and it does not take long), you can switch to metal reels and tanks. Regardless of which you use, be very careful and don't drop them. Plastic reels break and stainless steel reels get bent... and they're just not good for anything afterwards.

I learned a lot from watching others how to do this (and William Lewis, RFF member residing in Madison, WI, was extraordinarily helpful in this matter), but I learned a lot more from doing it over and over. Now, even though I haven't developed a lot, I can go on some type of automatic pilot and the results are highly satisfactory.

Take care and best of luck!

 

[robbeiflex]

I agree with many of the above posts. Changing bag, dev tank, funnel, grad cylinders, chemicals, and rubber gloves were all I needed to get started. I recently bought some proper bottles too, but old bleach bottles were fine to get started. My local shop was willing to print and scan my first attempts, and then eventually I bought a scanner (I took my time to find one with 120 capability). It's important to know not to cut the negs if you want to take them into a shop for scanning.

Have fun!

 

[robbeiflex]

The key to this is practice.

Yeah, run around town and shoot some rolls just to practice developing. Don't use your first tries to develop your once in a lifetime expensive flight trip to some far off land probably never go there again rolls! 😉

 

[ferider]

Here's what I've found to be the bare minimum:

dark closet OR room OR changing bag
bottle opener
scissors
tank and reel
clock with seconds display
a couple of graduated jugs (can be cheap ones intended for kitchen use)
Your choice of developer and fixer*
Kitchen or bathroom sink
Massive Development Chart http://www.digitaltruth.com/devchart.php

A thermometer for the liquids is nice but not essential. You can also mix them ahead of time and let them come to room temperature.

An old apron and a supply of nitrile gloves, depending on how much you value your clothes and how nasty your developer is.

*If you don't think you'll be doing a lot of developing, get a liquid concentrate developer (such as Agfa Rodinal, Kodak HC-110). These you mix up only as needed and the concentrate keeps for a very long time.

What he said. Changing bag and Patterson tank and reel are most convenient for a beginner (like I was half a year ago).

Very important to identify a clean place where to hang the negatives to dry. As dust free and un-disturbed as possible, since it makes Scanning & Post-processing easier.

Before you start, practice loading the reel in the changing bag a few times.

Have fun !

Roland.

 

[batterytypehah!]

The gear and chemicals are easy to find (...)

Keep in mind he/she is in Singapore. Would be great if somebody from that part of the world could chime in.

 

[fbf]

i use extra large changing bag as I sweat a lot, so I tend to move my hands around... plus I develop 120/220 myself so it's good to have the extra space.

I let the film dry in the bathroom. I usually turn the shower on for 1 min (hot hot hot water) so it would prevent dust somewhat. I shut the bathroom door and let it dry over night.