Choosing a Developing Kit

[jwicaksana]

Can I use green/brown bottles like beer bottles or it has to be light tight too?

 

[Frontman]

Here is what I started with. I bought the tank and reels on eBay for $40 or so, the thermometer is cheap, but accurate, and the egg timer is easy to use, and cost only $1. Add the $15 for fixer, developer, and wetting agent cost me, and the entire kit is about $70. What's more, with this small kit I can develop 35mm, 120, or 4x5 film.

Since this photo was taken, I bought 2 more Jobo 2500 series tanks, and 5 more 35mm/120 reels. I also started using 2 liter tanks. I am still using the $1 egg timer, after 4 years of use it is still working properly. If it ever stops working, I'll break down and buy a real dark room timer.

I've developed thousands of negatives now with this tank and the others, and gotten great results, it's not difficult to do. Many people prefer metal reels over plastic, but I have no problems with the plastic reels.

 

[Frontman]

Can I use green/brown bottles like beer bottles or it has to be light tight too?

You should get light-tight bottles, though you could just as easily put transparent bottles in a dark place. I prefer to use 1 or 2 liter bottles, as one small bag of D76 developer makes 1 liter when mixed according to the directions on the package. A Jobo 2500 series tank holds just short of 2 liters, so in my case a 2 liter bottle is best. If you use a smaller tank, a 1 liter bottle will be fine.

It is better to store the bottles full, with little air in them, some people use collapsible bottles, which makes it easier to keep air to a minimum, each time you use your chemicals, a little will be lost, and the bottles will be less full each time.

 

[traveler_101]

Speaking from my experience as a neophyte just a couple of years ago, I would follow Chris Crawford's advice if I were you. Paterson is well made, the REELS LOAD EASILY, and you will use the standard method of developing (inversion), allowing you to take advantage of the standard developing routines. This will make life a lot easier when you look up developing times on charts and read posts on camera boards.

PATERSON. (Standard disclaimer, in case you are wondering: I am not connected with the company. I just like their products).

 

[traveler_101]

Can I use green/brown bottles like beer bottles or it has to be light tight too?

That's exactly what I use. I found out that glass is better than plastic, and dark glass is better than light glass. I mix up one liter of D-76d and pour it in three 33cl (330 ml) beer bottles. Keep them tightly corked. Try to keep them in a cabinet as well (out of direct sunlight). Fixer mixed 1:4 goes into a wine bottle (75 cl) and gets poured back in after use--up to processing 17 reels of film. You can check its potency with a small piece of film. That's really it. For stop bath I use diluted white vinegar you buy in the grocery store and the photo-flow product stays in its bottle; you need only a couple of milliliters each time mixed with water.

 

[flip]

I got my stuff largely at auction with an eye to finding the good stuff, such as Hewes reels. I could have saved more if I immediately settled on:
metal tank
hewes reels
thermometer
ml hypo
measuring cup
rodinal

 

[shadowfox]

Changing bag:
I know in Indonesia it's far easier to find good (and cheap) tailors than here in the US. Buy about three square meters of thick black cloth that is easy to clean and doesn't attract too much dust. Two stretches of high-quality zipper lining, and two stretches of elastic bands (for pants).

Tell the tailor to make you something that looks like a large T-shirt, but:
1. No hole for the head
2. Double the lining, one "shirt" inside the other (tell them you need the one inside to be light proof, and the outer one will help)
3. Sew the two elastic bands inside and around the end of each sleeve. Make sure that when you put your hands in, you'll end up accessing the inside "shirt."
4. Put the first zipper line at the bottom of the inside "shirt" going one way
5. Put the second zipper line on the bottom of the outer "shirt" going the opposite way

Voila. This should result in a good quality changing bag for not much money at all 🙂

 

[jwicaksana]

Hi flip, thanks for your insights, I am dreaming about Rodinal already, I bought a pack of D76 simply because that's the only thing available. Storage for 1 gallon of oxidation-prone photo solution is really bugging me. Will definitely source for Rodinal.

Dear Will, your idea is excellent, and yes you're right we have talented tailors with reasonable rates here. I however have bought a changing bag for around USD20, so that's a good price I think, just for starting out.

I have bought the stuff, will post a pic here to show you guys (if any of you is interested haha)

 

[Terry Christian]

Even in a plastic jug, stock solution D-76 will last about six months.

 

[jwicaksana]

Fellas, sorry it took me longer than I wanted to report back to you guys here.
I bought just what is available to me locally, as the following:
- AP Developing Tank (The one famously describe as 'no name Made in Spain tank') which came with two adjustable reels
- D76 Developer to make 1 Gallon
- Acifix (I believe this is a local brand) Fixer to make 4 liters
- Measuring jugs and funnels of various sizes
- Water thermometer
- Changing bag

I have developed 5 rolls so far, keeping notes for every negative, just for record and learning purpose. I will have the scanned images from the first three rolls shipped back to me within a few days, and I will surely post them here.

That's all for now, thanks for checking back to this thread.

 

[jwicaksana]

So, finally got the negatives back, here are some from my first roll.


Makam Pahlawan by jwicaksana, on Flickr


Serba 10.000 by jwicaksana, on Flickr

Thank you all for helping me thru.

 

[v_roma]

I just read through the whole thread since I am about to do the same. Thank you all for the information posted. jwicaksana, that photo looks great to me. I hope my first one comes out as good as that 🙂

 

[jwicaksana]

I just read through the whole thread since I am about to do the same. Thank you all for the information posted. jwicaksana, that photo looks great to me. I hope my first one comes out as good as that 🙂

Good to know you find this useful. Another sample just to get you motivated 😛 and I'm sure yours will be better than mine. Just do it, you'll love it.


Pasir Reungit by jwicaksana, on Flickr