Black and White Processing in A Dormitory Setting

[jsolanzo]

Hello all,

When I was a kid my family used film up until buying our first digital camera in 05 ish(casio exilim or something). Now, I'm getting back into film since I like surprises. It seems boring getting your picture right away with a digital camera. If a film has to be developed, I'd be excited to see the pictures I've taken.

Anyways, enough with my rambling. I'm looking for opinions about processing film in a dorm. Is this possible to happen? It probably is hard to do.

Where should I buy the equipment(processing stuff like the tank) plus chemicals? I'm trying to get them as cheap as possible as I spent most of my money on the M2 and rokkor. I'd like to buy online and not from California as I would have to pay for both tax and shipping.

Thanks
John

 

[kokoshawnuff]

Making prints you can use a lab at your school if there is one, but for developing all you really need is a sink with running water. As for supplies BH is a cheap as anywhere;

you'll need a changing bag, scissors, bottle opener or canister opener, thermometer, tank and reels, containers for chemicals, developer, stop bath, fixer, hypo clearing agent if you want it, photo-flo, and a couple clips for drying film. Sounds like a lot, but can be easily had for under $50 and the basics will last you years...

 

[maddoc]

It is easy, fast, cheaper (and of better quality) than the drug-store, and more fun for sure. I develop for more than 5 years in our apartment`s "kitchen-sink-laboratory". You need a changing bag to get the film onto the reels and after the reels went into the tank and it has been closed light-tight, the handling is done in day-light.

Only important thing in the beginning is to keep things easy. Try to stick with one film (aka Tri-X because easy to develop) and one developer as D76. This combination is quite fool-proof and easy to get. You need bottles for storing the developer and fixer, a thermometer and stop-watch to get things controlled, tap-water with a temperature of about 20 to 24 degrees, a larger plastic beaker (measure), and some space in the bath-room to hang the film until it is dry.

The only other decision is between plastic tank / reels (initially easier to use but more critical to keep clean) or stainless steel (needs some practice in the beginning). It is highly recommended to buy HEWES or similar quality stainless reels because they are best to load.

Finally, a scanner is necessary or you if you are lucky to have enough space (temporarily) available then an enlarger is the best for ultimate BW experience.