Developing - 1st Attempt

wakarimasen

wakarimasen

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Hello Folks,

I think I'm finally ready to try my first go at developing BW film. I have the following chemicals:
  • Photoflo
  • TMAX Professional
  • Ilford Rapid FIxer
  • Ilford Ilfostop.
I have the requisite tanks etc. but can I use the above to develop Ilford Delta 400 in 120 form?
Best regards,
RoyM
 
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It only took me another two months to pluck up the courage.....

4675510374_4b7f84568a.jpg


Ilford Delta 400 in TMax
 
Hey, well done! I did my first rolls back in December and now I do one or more every one or two weeks. Good to see I'm not the only beginner here, ;) keep up the good work!
 
wakarimasen said:
Yes - but you'll notice I only showed one image!

In fact I was really surprised - the hardest thing was getting the film on the reel :(

Best regards,

RoyM
Click to expand...

I find 120 tough to load too. I use a changing bag instead of locking myself in a bathroom. I find it easier to manipulate the things I can't see, if I can see (I hope you understand what I am saying). I think I still have some eye hand coordination if I have my eyes. Perhaps you will find a changing bag will help you too.
 
Pretty brave designating 120 film for your first developing effort! :D

Lovely pic ... congratulations. :)
 
It's a beautiful image and well developed too i think.
If you only show the good stuff no one will ever suspect you ever take anything else :)
I really must start developing my own film soon ...
 
Hello Folks,

Thanks for all of the kind remarks. Here's another:

4677607781_65a2169369.jpg


With regards to the developing: I hope it wasn't a fluke - I simply followed the instructions! With respect to this, I do have one question though. Everything seemed quite simple and precise (Develop: 6.5 minutes; Stop: 30 secs) until I came to the Fix. This was shown as '2-5 minutes' which really put me in a panic. In the end I did it for 3.5 minutes (the middle) but am wondering what effects a longer or shorter 'fix' would have.

Best regards,
RoyM
 
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It will probably be OK, you could simply re-do it if you are in any doubt

If you put a off-cut of the film in some of the fixer and time how long it takes to clear then give it 2 or 3 times that
 
Rapid Fixer will do it in two minutes (as long as it's not exhausted) and other fixers can take longer. Old-style emulsions can also take longer.
I do everything for 5 minutes regardless.
As for exhaustion, the fixer product sheet should tell you how many films or the film area it will handle before it needs replacement or replenishment. It's easy to lose track so keep a note and discard it before it weakens too much.
 
Nice photos. The old rule of thumb for fixing times is to take your leader and drop it in the fix. Time how long it takes for the film to clear. Fix your developed roll then for twice that time.

I just make sure I have reasonably fresh fix and fix for 4 mins and 6 for T-grain film.
 
Your photos look really nice, and you have done exceptionally well for a first time developing! Congrats and welcome to the dark side! ;)

As for your question about fixing, it has been correctly answered above. The only chemical that is extremely time (and temperature) sensitive is the developer. You can control the contrast of the negative by changing the development time (more gives more, and less, ... less.) But over fixing (or stopping, or HCA'ing, or photoflowing, or washing or drying) only wastes time. There is a point where it becomes detrimental, but that is a very LONG time.

Now I am looking forward to your next roll Roy!
 
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