Finally did it! Developed my own B&W film!!!

schow

schow

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Yep, so a few weeks ago I posted this thread:
http://rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=36840

Well, I finally did it!
Bessa R3A w/ Jupiter 8
Tri-X 400 rated at 400.
Developed in D-76 for about 7min.
Fixer for 5min.
hypo clear for 2min.
wash for 6min.
Photo flo 1.5 min.

The hardest part was loading the film on the reel in the changing bag. That thing is really constricting and extremely frustrating. I really butchered some of those negatives. :bang: and then i realized that there was a closet in our house that is totally midnight black! :bang: :bang:
Serious props to all you folks who do this! I finally figured out the "trick" loading too!

Anyhow, here are a few examples. I'm really happy with the results even with the butchering!
I did this! Me! 😀 😱
I didn't clean this up obviously. Just straight scanned it in.


421736991_6240f9547d.jpg


421736840_f2eec021ac.jpg


421737258_6089362bb9.jpg



Thanks to everyone who helped me out with gracious info!


Sherman
 
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Nice Job, Sherman! That first shot, is that from right on the floor? Cool!



Robin
 
Congrats on a fine effort! I really like that second shot... the ladies seem to be speaking at the same time (could they possibly be listening at the same time too?), and the expressions are great. 🙂
 
Excellent first try, and good attitude about the reel, (we've all done that one). You'll never go back to lab processing. Now start to refine your process for the features you like and to eliminate the ones you don't like. The learning curve never stops it just gets less steep.
 
Well done.

Now you know the satisfied feeling you get from doing it yourself. There will be frustrations too, but the safisfaction always wins out in the long run.

Good photos too.
 
The second one is my favorite, the scratches aged that picture in a good way. Love the expressions.

Man, you did it! I'm still dreaming about it, and you've done it! Big KUDOS!
 
shadowfox said:
The second one is my favorite, the scratches aged that picture in a good way. Love the expressions.

Man, you did it! I'm still dreaming about it, and you've done it! Big KUDOS!
Click to expand...

Scrounge up fifty dollars and you can do it too!
 
Way to go, Sherman!

The first time is always the toughest. Sacrifice a roll of cheap film, and practice loading the spool. It gets easier after a while, when you get familiar with the features of the spool, the characteristics of the film, etc.....

Regards!
Don
 
fantastic first go!!! its a great feeling when you pull those negatives off the spool and see your photos for the first time....its one of the main reasons that so mnay of us havent made the leap to digital (or have but have gone back in disgust)..keep at it..i love the second picture, hopefully you will get a chance to clean up the dust later

Awesome work
 
Awesome for first go !!! I wish that my first roll would have come out that perfect .... (the wheel and the changing bag ....) The second is my favorite.

Cheers,

Gabor
 
Congrats and looking good -- it is fun, isn't it?

I have found that a changing tent (harrison makes a nice one) is definitely worth the investment -- and as long as you are using the closet don't forget to put a sign on the door warning people not to open the door! Yes, the latter is from direct experience.

JT
 
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