Developing negatives advice

[FreddyF]

I want to start developing my own negatives. It's something I learnt to do at school but that was twenty years ago now and have forgotten much of what I learnt there anyhow. 😉

Could anyone point me in a suitable direction? As in useful intructional websites or books that I should read?

And sorry, I think I've posted this to the wrong forum as it really should be in the darkroom section. I'll learn one day. 🙁

 

[Stephanie Brim]

Search the forums for developing film. There are tons of posts on this topic. 🙂

 

[Luz]

What film are you using? You might start with tri-x or hp5 in xtol or d76. They are pretty versatile. If you are using slow film, maybe try rodinal. Diafine is great for speed if you can find some. Go over to digitaltruth.com for techinical data and mess around to find your liking.

 

[sunsworth]

http://www.ilford.com/html/us_english/pdf/Film Hobbyist.PDF


It's on Ilford's web site so mentions their products, but it'll give you an overview of what you need to do.

Steve

 

[FreddyF]

Thanks all - I'll be using either Tri-x or HP5. Since posting this I have found my way the archives and have got some great tips (and jogged my memory cells.)

 

[GeneW]

Yup, Tri-X, HP5 or Neopan 400 make great starting points. And to keep things simple, a bottle of HC-110 developer with great shelf life for use as a diluted one-shot: http://www.covingtoninnovations.com/hc110/

Gene

 

[Poptart]

If you need developing tanks & reels I have a couple of new sets I'm going to list on eBay today.

 

[RJ.]

here are a few links i've found helpful since i've started developing at home...
http://photography.about.com/library/weekly/aa051401a.htm
http://www.photogs.com/bwworld/bwfilmdev.html
http://verba.chromogenic.net/archives/2005/04/become_your_own.html
http://verba.chromogenic.net/archives/2005/04/additional_note.html

 

[ruben]

Could anyone point me in a suitable direction? 🙁

To avoid the widespread crap, save time and money, enjoy the reading, understand the whys and hows, have fun and learn from an un-conventional master, teacher and lover of Photography (whose intention is not to sell but to teach):

"The Craft of Photography" by David Vestal (Harper & Row, Publishers):

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/00...102-5166454-6267315?s=books&v=glance&n=283155

Cheers,

Ruben

 

[amateriat]

Damn, Ruben, you took the words outta my mouth...

"The Craft of Photography" is probably the only book I have on the subject in my library that has aged quite gracefully in terms of the information held within, and for a book that came out 30 years ago (I have the updated edition which came out around 1979-80), that's sayng something. Lots of straightforward information and advice with just the right, light touch of dry wit. The one book I recommend if, for whatever reason, you can only choose one.


- Barrett

 

[FreddyF]

Thank you - I'll look for theat book too though it might be difficult to get a hold of over here.

 

[FreddyF]

Thanks RJ, I've read Michael Langford's Basic and enjoyed it very much.
I keep meaning to order the Advanced but other stuff keeps getting in the way (this week it's a copy of Things As They Are: Photojournalism in Context Since 1955 which I'm looking forward to.)

I've placed it on my wish list as a reminder.