About ready to take the plunge

M

MelanieC

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Dec 28, 2005
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OK. So I have this film to develop, sitting there waiting for me to work up the guts to Do It Myself.

I have developer (D-76), stop bath, fixer, and "Photo-Flo" to avoid spots when drying (this reminds me of that stuff you put in the dishwasher to facilitate rinsing).

I have plastic measuring cups, funnels, and clean plastic juice bottles to put used solutions in.

I have a bathroom that has no windows and that is behind two doors so no light will get in.

I have a kit that includes a tank, two reels, a thermometer, and two clips for hanging film.

I went to the hardware store and bought eye bolts, a lightweight chain, and two snaps for the ends of the chain. The chain so I can be sure if I hang multiple negatives they won't slide into each other and touch, and the snaps so I can take the chain down when I'm not using it (or if I want to shower without it hanging over my head).

I have a book that claims to be the Ansel Adams guide to photography, although it was not written by Ansel Adams, and the trilogy that was written by Ansel Adams to guide me, in case I get lost.

I have a roll of icky cheap expired film to practice loading my reels with.

I think that's everything I need. Now all that's left is to hang the chain and get on with it. Wish me luck!
 
Luck?

Just take a deep breath and enjoy. It is fun and easy.

I found that when I bought a changing bag I was more apt to load the reels and get ready to process. With the changing bag you can do that part while watching TV, or doing anything else you want to/can. Not being in the dark helps me too.
 
Enjoy Melanie. There is so much satisfaction and achievement in doing your own darkroom work.
 
I have two clips -- I figured I can put one at the bottom and hang by the other?

I'm sitting here messing with this reel, and have come to the first roadblock. I can't get the halves to come apart. The instructions (blessedly included with this used kit) are not very helpful. As a pirate would say, argh.
 
if they are like mine, you need to force them a little bit till you hear a click. but no real reson to take then apart unless you need to change the size.
 
Melanie,

You sound well prepared. Don't be afraid to make a mistake or two. It won't take long to get the hang of it, though. Once you pull the first developed roll off the reel and see that it actually works you will be hooked. Very satisfying.

Robert
 
They're plastic. I managed to get one of them apart and put it back together but it seems harder than it needs to be. The other one isn't aligned right and I can't get it aligned right but I'm sure the solution is right in front of me and I just don't see it. I'm not good with fiddly things -- my little dog popped a key off my laptop once and it took me literally 90 minutes to get the thing back on correctly.

Thanks guys! You're the best.
 
You will love it. Over the years I have developed scores of rolls of film and I still get a kick out of loading a reel and souping it.

Just to complicate things, you may want to invest in a steel tank and reels. I have never been able to use those plastic reels, loading steel reels is much easier for me. Some folks swear by the plastic reels, I just swear at them.
 
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just follow the grooves on the side of the inner barrel. they are set up for other sizes. A quick hint premix most of your chemistry and have it at the ready.
 
Oh, I've now discovered problem #2. I can pull the reels apart, but they don't come apart in the right place, in other words, one side pops off without bringing the inner core with it. Hmmm.
 
Just did my first at home last night and I'm still on a high...a few newbie notes:
1) By holding the plastic reel in your left hand with the film opening facing you, a sharp twist away from you with your right hand (clockwise) will allow you to open the reel. Mine are new and tight, so it does take a pretty firm twist. Just opposite to put it back together, again it may take a pretty firm counterclockwise twist to get it back to the loading stage.
2) The black bag is excellent, you can take your time without being blinded.
3) If you have a camera that allows you to take the exposed film out without winding the leader back into the spool, do so. You can trim the leader in the light, then just throw it into the bag. Once in the bag just pull out 8" or so, load the end into the reel and a couple of oscillations and you'll feel the film cassette come up against your thumbs. Then you can just pull another 8" or so, and repeat until the end. You can use scissors, but a sharp rip with your fingers will tear the film off the cassette. This may seem dumb to experienced guys, but I found at the school darkroom that the film can twist when you are loading onto the spool, which forces you to rewind. Leaving the film in the cassette just seems to keep it nice and straight.
4) The pre-mixing and organizing beforehand mentioned above is the best advice of all.
Good luck, my negs came out fantastic, I'm sure yours will as well.
Mike
PS: One mistake in my class was concerning two reel tanks.....one guy made the mistake of putting the reel with the film on top of the empty reel, instead of below, then used only enough chemical for one reel. Needless to say, the film wasn't sitting in the developer!
 
Practising with an expired film is a very good idea, I did it at least 10 times. And if you're loading in the darkroom, practise with your eyes shut.....
 
before you hang your flim make sure that you have enough room. My bathroom is 6 inches to small and it sucks trying to find a place last second. Read the bottom of your tank that will give all the measuments you need.
 
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