Do you develop your own B&W film?

Do you develop your own B&W film?

  • Yes - I'm still addicted

    Votes: 727 89.3%

  • No - I opt for convenience

    Votes: 87 10.7%
  • Total voters
    814
ChrisN said:
Boy, this one is from way back! it will be interesting to see if any of the earlier contributors have changed their positions!
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You're right -- this is an oldie. Looking back, I still stock only HC-110 and Rodinal and I still scan my B&W negs. I think about my old darkroom gear once in awhile and get a little pang, but common sense prevails and I go back to scanning 🙂

The only change for me is that I've switched from mixing fixer from powder to using rapid fixer from concentrate.

Gene
 
With regards to costs, it is a secondary concern. The main reason to develop your own film is control. For example, using a low dilution and stand development for negs which you know that the extreme contrast of the available light will make them difficult to print.
 
Hmm, let's see. I started developing myself using Diafine two years ago...

And I could still be using the same 1 litre batch if it wasn't by trash rolls which ended being due to reel loading problems.

So I'm on the 2nd litre 🙂 6 years more and I'll have to go digital. lol.

Oscar
 
I agree with that,a nd that's the only reaosn i'm sying to do my own films, but it's way too expensive, my point is that already films are costly, so i wouldn't get more than 10 rolls/monththat would cost 200 L.E, an average worker's salary...!

so imagine the same amount to developpe your roll, the thought is nearly impossible, untill i get my own income of coruse, i'm still dependant on my parent.
 
nomade said:
I don't developpe, never developped, for financial reason nothing more, only big chemical packs available expensive, the lab is CHEAPER.
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You sure they're not C41 color chemistry packs? Most BW developers come in small packages, and it's *way* cheaper to process classic BW yourself.
 
I do it myself, way cheaper and more fun, at least for 35mm. Rodinal lasts a long time and with a couple of stocked up bottles, I will manage for some years. For 120 it is not as funny as I can only develop one at a time (compared to two 35mm) and with 8-12 shots on a film, it adds up quickly.

The 120 negatives tend to be gorgeous! But, scanning is a pain for 35mm, and much worse for 120.

I tend to have a backlog as a result. From time to time I get thoughts about using digital cameras more. But film cameras are better and cheaper (though I pay with my spare time), and I like to have negatives.

/Håkan
 
varjag said:
You sure they're not C41 color chemistry packs? Most BW developers come in small packages, and it's *way* cheaper to process classic BW yourself.
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I still have kodak to ask...But yes so far, epopel have shown me what they have, add to this not many people developpe B&W these days...

Kodak should be the worst of all or my angels...But i doubt it, they already denied me photopapers last month...😡
 
more or less 30 years ago I developped personally my last B&W film. Than for years and years only colour slides. Since one year partially back to B&W, I have a friend developping that for me, but planning to start again (still have an old tank!). Also trying XP2, but not yet decided if satisfied or not. Plan is film, developping, scanning and inkjet printing. I have seen amazing results. Not the same as wet printing. but Why have to look the same ? It s a different thing and must look like something different, which in my opinion does not necessary means bad ! Process still on going !
 
Uncle Bill said:
I started developing my own film a few months ago, I won't go back. It's only a matter of time until I get a durst enlarger and really head down that slippery slope.

Bill
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That's how it starts. Now I got everything in place and it's too hot to start printing :bang:. But the weather report for next week sounds good and than I'll see how slippery the slope is....
 
I develope 100% of my 35mm and smaller B&W. Always had, probably always will. Use Tetenal Ultrafin almost exclusively. Sometimes I farm out 120 negatives, when I am feeling lazy, 'cause some of those are darn hard to get into the reels.

Sadly, I don't print anymore. Too messy. But every other month I remember that time when I was six and my brother took me into the darkroom and teached me the basicis... and I start some heavy thinking about getting some trays (don't have any now) and firing up the big Besseler 45 again. So maybe next month...
 
ChrisN said:
Boy, this one is from way back! it will be interesting to see if any of the earlier contributors have changed their positions!
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just a slight change in position here, Chris. I am considering a film scanner as well as keeping the traditional darkroom.

There be 4 walls to my darkroom, Earl.

Thanks Rich. I am lucky to have a spare bedroom in my house that was next to the bathroom and plumbing.

Gelmir, that's a history of Nikon camera bodies poster on the wall.

That is a Meopta enlarger sitting on the shelf, Gene. I recently gave it to a neighbour's son who is showing some interest in photography. (I have several other enlargers.)
 
I just started (last week) developing my own B&W negatives in 120 and 35mm size. I love it! To keep it simple I chose Diafine, and even simpler: found an unused, almost new darkroom on campus with a supply of fixer included! How happy was I? Total cost? Just enough to cover the Diafine and a lot of expired film that cost me nothing (once I resold all the undesired color and chrome film). I've developed about 5 rolls of 120 so far--and am very pleased.

Although I've got two enlargers at my disposal (both 35mm only I think) I'm scanning my negatives and will print on an inkjet, using a black-only process.
 
Years ago, I shot a lot of black & white film and developed my own.

Today, I rarely shoot small and medium format black & white film.

However, I still shoot and develop my own large format black & white film.

I also shoot and develop my own small and medium format E-6 slide film.

I no longer perform optical printing. Instead, I scan negative and positive film and print digitally.
 
when i was used to the darkroom it was for me exciting and relaxing in the same time. But it was many (ehm, too many) years ago and I was single.
One of the reason for which I would like to try inkjet B&W printing is that because of my job I already spend many nights and days away from home. Many times I leave on monday and come back on friday. I would not feel confortable to closmyself in the darkroom and leave my wife alone when I'm back. But our flat is organized as an open space: she can sit and watch television and I can sit a couple of meter away and work on the computer. Meantime we can exchamge comments, ideas, laugh and do not feel isolate. Let say it is more socially friendly !
 
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