Fujifilm Darkless ...

maddoc

maddoc

... likes film again.
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... Hi everybody ! Quite recently I bought an Epson R-D1s and liked using a rangefinder camera that much that I couldn't resist to buy a Bessa-T (the 101 year anniversary set with the Heliar 50 mm F3.5 ) and try film again.

Anyhow, after 20 years not having developed any BW film I want to develop the films myself again and for starting I bought Fujifilm Darkless. This kit uses only a few ml (!!) chemicals because development and fixating is done in the film cartridge !! Unfortunately, the instructions are in japanese and I couldn't find much information about this development kit. Has somebody ever used this kit and has some useful tips ?

Cheers,

Gabor
 
OK Google image search for "Fujifilm Darkless" came up with this intriguing image

I'm assuming this is what your talking about.

Seems like a form of monobath processing that can be done in a film can.

A monobath process, develops and fixes the image with one chemical. I'm sure you know this.

I want to try it!!! Where did you get it?



Wayne
 
Sounds interesting. I was wondering why it wouldn't result in uneven development since the film is supposed to be touching each other in the can.
 
Thanks for the google link (the image)!! I also goodled yesterday and found this link (http://homepage2.nifty.com/vasolza/darkless.htm) According to it, one should work with two of the small container to exchange solution in the cartridge more quickly.

The package contains three small glas ampules (~ 8ml) and as I understood, it's not a monobath process but universal developer for all BW films. Checking Fuji's HP it seems to be only available in Japan. (And all information is only available in japanese ....) Well, I give it a try (my first roll of Fuji Neopan 400 Presto used with my new Bessa-T) and see what happens ...

Thanks for the info !

Cheers,

Gabor
 
First roll of film after ~20 years ...

First roll of film after ~20 years ...

Well... yesterday night I developed the first roll of the Fuji Neopan 400 Presto with the Fuji "Darkless" development kit and it worked like charm ! No hassle with darkroom etc. really convinient ! 🙂

Now all I have to do is finding an not so expensive film scanner ...
 
I just used it last night on a 36exp roll of Across. It didn't come out well because I think I screwed up in a few places. The two chemicals are developer and either a hardener or fixer (couldn't find an exact translation ... and whatever the second one is, it SMELLS.)

For the most part it's simple and all you need besides the kit is the plastic container the film came in, a thermometer, a tub-like container to wash the film in and a cloth to wipe-dry the film after the 30 minute wash.

In total it took about an hour from start to finish.

For the starter kit which does 1 roll of film it cost ¥500 which is less than $5. There's a kit for 3 rolls and 6 rolls, though they contain chemicals only, not the container for the film (you need to buy the starter kit to get that.) The 6 roll kit costs ¥1100 (less than $10) which is a bargain since it costs $5 a roll to get B&W done here (plus it takes 3 business days.)
 
Last edited:
Reviving an old thread here.

In another thread the in-canister developing was mentioned, as was the Fujifilm Darkless.

I'm looking for more info on the process, used chemicals etc.

This might be interesting for developing while traveling, so I can send negatives home by mail and unload my images.
 
Wow ! After such a long time my old thread came up again. 🙂

I have quit using the Fuji Darkless kit pretty soon after having started it because results were not really reproducible. Sometimes it worked and sometimes very uneven development with streaks and parts not fixed properly.
 
OMG this exists???
Thanks for bringing up this thread, I am EXACTLY the kind of person this is aimed at!
Will try this out ASAP! Hope I can get it to work better than reported here.
 
maddoc said:
... Hi everybody ! Quite recently I bought an Epson R-D1s and liked using a rangefinder camera that much that I couldn't resist to buy a Bessa-T (the 101 year anniversary set with the Heliar 50 mm F3.5 ) and try film again.

Anyhow, after 20 years not having developed any BW film I want to develop the films myself again and for starting I bought Fujifilm Darkless. This kit uses only a few ml (!!) chemicals because development and fixating is done in the film cartridge !! Unfortunately, the instructions are in japanese and I couldn't find much information about this development kit. Has somebody ever used this kit and has some useful tips ?

Cheers,

Gabor
Click to expand...

lol this really threw me off until I saw the date .....
 
zwarte_kat said:
OMG this exists???
Thanks for bringing up this thread, I am EXACTLY the kind of person this is aimed at!
Will try this out ASAP! Hope I can get it to work better than reported here.
Click to expand...

Just walk straight into Yodobashi camera and buy a set. It contains all you need (except an English translation ...)
 
zombie threads don't die, they just smell funny

zombie threads don't die, they just smell funny

maddoc said:
.......... 😀 One of my first posts at RFF here !
Click to expand...

WOW!! What an old thread...gotta keep this alive, or at least zombiefied.

I haven't been on RRF for a while, but while going through some old threads I've participated in, this one reminded me of a "wanna-be" photojournalist I knew, who would process film...in his car, while he was driving...and people today complain about texting while driving...
 
Note :-
This kit is designed for 24 exposure films only !

There is not enough room left in the 36 exposure can for the
chemicals to slosh about evenly over the film.

-TC
 
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