Beginner develope film at home

[paradoxbox]

A note about loading film - if you hear any crinkling sounds, like a plastic wrapper being bunched up then stop winding the reels and start over. It's most likely the film bunched up inside the reel and you'll just put huge creases in the film if you push it..!

 

[rfaspen]

Well, I didn't catch a lot of yeahs for Rodinal. I stand by my reason for its recommendation. But, really the idea is to get started developing film at home. Doesn't matter what developer, as long as the OP experiences success (and joy).

All the talk about practicing with the reels has me wondering...are we talking about the stainless steel jobs? I use those and love them, but not what I'd recommend for a beginner. The plastic reels that you load with alternating twists is the one I'd suggest. Very, very difficult to mess it up with those. I have a few of those reels and tanks in my defunct darkroom (I'm film develop and digital print nowadays). I think the brand is Patterson. Hmm, Houston is a ways off from Oregon. I'd gladly hand the OP one of these sets to help spread the enjoyment of film but I don't know if it would be cheaper for the OP to buy locally or spring for the shipping.

I gotta try that Caffenol process. I've seen some wonderful results. I don't know if those nice examples are typical output though.

 

[gb hill]

I second the idea of going to the library & checking out a book on processing b&w film step by step. The Time Life series of books are great. Once you are fimalure on how easy it is then you can ask yourself, Do I need a changing bag or do I have a dark room I can shut myself in to load my film?
Stores like WalMart have plastic mixing cups marked in ML that will save you lots of money. You only need three. I went to the dollar store & found these cool plastic clips with a hanger on one end & I hang my film on the shower rod. As for mixing bottles, If all you are going to use is one shot developers like HC-110 or Rodinal all you really need is one bottle for storing your fixer. I strongly recommend Ilford Rapid Fixer & you can reuse it many times. Don't do like someone else said & use it as one shot, cut the leader off & drop it in the fixer, time the min's it takes to clear & multiply that by 3. Average time will put you within 4 mins. Then pour it back into the bottle. One more thing I only mix 500 ML at a time. No need to waste fixer. Anyhow enjoy the ride.🙂

 

[Out to Lunch]

Thanks guys, with special thanks to Roger Hicks....OK I'll add distilled water to the process and see what happens. Many thanks for your best advice. Peter

 

[miatab]

I'd like that recipe for instant coffee (No Name?) orange juice (pulp free?) and washing soda(what's that???)

 

[ChrisLivsey]

http://www.ilfordphoto.com/Webfiles/200629163442455.pdf

May be of value.

 

[LeicaFoReVer]

Good luck! I use paterson tank and FP4 + Rodinal combination lately.

Photo flo or wetting agents during final wash will prevent the residues on the film because of hard water. I also had tough time to remove those.

 

[ColSebastianMoran]

Well, I didn't catch a lot of yeahs for Rodinal. I stand by my reason for its recommendation.

Rodinal is a great developer.

The beginner should note that the bottled product is caustic and potentially dangerous with burns if just a drop touches your skin. And, catastrophic with potential loss of vision if it splashes in your eye. Use gloves and goggles! And, insure that kids cannot get to the bottle.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Rodinal is a great developer.

The beginner should note that the bottled product is caustic and potentially dangerous with burns if just a drop touches your skin. And, catastrophic with potential loss of vision if it splashes in your eye. Use gloves and goggles! And, insure that kids cannot get to the bottle.

If you like low speed and big grain. Yes, it's sharp, and it keeps well, but it tends to be less "love it or hate it" than "love it or can't see why on earth its devotees should be so enthusiastic."

Cheers,

R.

 

[exe163]

Hi, OP here.

To safe a few bucks I want to only get the essential equipment and improvise on the rest. I am planning to go with gallon powder of kodak fixer and D76. I heard these need to be mixed in 50c water. Is it essential to get one of these jugs (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/70862-REG/Delta_11140_Datatainer_Chemical_Storage_Bottle.html) or can I just use gallon arizona tea/soft drink bottles?

Also, a lot of people recommended getting a smaller jug and measuring cup in addition to the main one. What's the point?

 

[Dana B.]

D-76 isn't hard to mix: just make sure the water's hot enough and that you stir the heck out of it to dissolved flakes. I store mine in a brown photo jug. But you could easily pour it into a see-through jug inside a dark cabinet, say under the bathroom sink. Its so flexible for developing you can eyeball the 1:1, though I do measure it. Have fun.

 

[Bingley]

Allow me to add one question: the water in my house is coming from a well and it is extremely hard - with a high calcium content. Is this a problem or will regular developing / using the prescribed chemicals take care of this?

My tap water is fairly hard too, so I use distilled water for final rinse and dunk in photoflo. I've had no problem with water spots since I started doing this.