Do you develop your own B & W films

[fixbones]

Hi,

Would like to know if enjoying B & W film photography means developing ur own B & W film as well (i know it is part of the fun). Just for interests sake....thus the poll above 🙂

 

[crawdiddy]

Yes, all of them. I'm not always perfect at it. But a recent batch I took to a local pro lab wasn't either. My stuff was as good as theirs. And it's enjoyable.

 

[gb hill]

Yes, I develop the negatives & take them to WalMart for scanning since I don't have a scanner hooked up to my computer yet. I also have a darkroom for wet prints in a spare bathroom.

 

[lkgroup]

I develop all my BW film and scan the ones I want to print. I still like being in the darkroom developing film but enjoy sitting at a computer doing the final results.

Leo

 

[pesphoto]

Its part of the enjoyment for me, yes. I shot 2 rolls today and came home and developed the negs. I just came up from looking at them, and I have some shots Im very excited to go back into the darkroom in a couple days to print. When I want to post on RFF or elsewhere I scan the actual prints, not negs.

 

[Ducky]

Yes, both 35mm and 120 roll film. I make contact prints and scan the contact sheet of the 120. They are OK for 8x8 prints and web use. The 35mm I wet print and scan the print. My enlarger will only handle 35mm.

 

[capitalK]

I answered "yes, all of them" because for the most part it's been all me since the summer. If there was a "Yes, most of them" I would have answered that. "Some" just didn't seem like the right answer considering the amount I self-develop but the odd one goes out to the lab when I get behind.

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

I've never tried a lab that didn't totally f--k up every roll of BW film I sent. I have been doing my own since I was 15, and tried labs during times I didn't have access to a darkroom. Never again, I will always do my own now.

 

[benmacphoto]

I develop all my Black and White film, 100TMax or Efke 25, in HC-110 which I have finetuned over three years to a "perfect dilution" for my work. I love developing my own film its part of the fun with photography.

 

[fixbones]

I can defininitely see the charm and exitement of developing your own film. Reason i started this poll is because i am a newbie and i think i need to spend sometime improving my B & W composition and getting used to film first before overwhelming myself with development.
Would definitely like to develop my own eventually and even print.

Also i am based in Tasmania, Australia and equiptments for B & W film developing can only be purchased via mail...............for those in Oz, i just sent my first 2 rolls of HP5 to Chris at BlancoNegro. Can't wait to see the result.

Thought it'll be interesting to see if there are any long/senior/experienced shooter who outsources all the development....

 

[charjohncarter]

You won't enjoy B&W film unless you develop your own: period. And the good part is it takes less time to do it at home, than to drive to the shop and back. I know you will enjoy it.

 

[Morry Katz]

Do it yourself. It takes only 1/2 hour to process - about 2 hours to dry without aid. The results will be amazing.

Morry Katz
Lethbridge Alberta

 

[marke]

100% myself. I enjoy it, and the control I have over the process is a plus. Less scratches too.

 

[Gradskater]

I just started doing my own black and white developing. I have done about 6 rolls so far, and after the first one didn't turn out so great, the rest have been awesome. My biggest pet peeve is scratches, and I can get nearly scratch free negatives when I do it myself.

 

[mh2000]

I voted "all of them" even though I get all my C41 b&w developed at the minilab... I figured you meant "real b&w" film, not the "C41 crap" that I usually shoot.

 

[gb hill]

I can defininitely see the charm and exitement of developing your own film. Reason i started this poll is because i am a newbie and i think i need to spend sometime improving my B & W composition and getting used to film first before overwhelming myself with development.
Would definitely like to develop my own eventually and even print.

You need to jump on in and get your feet wet. Learn the whole process of shooting film & developing. Don't worry about a darkroom & printing at the moment. All you need is a few items to get started. Changing bag, small tank w reel, thermometer, bottles to store chemicals. measuring cups, chemicals. Thats pretty much the basics to get you going. Heck many of us doing it are still learning so come on!

 

[ruby.monkey]

All of them. Even the C41 stuff gets to swim in Rodinal.

 

[maddoc]

All of my BW films and 90% of my C41 films. Regarding BW, for me it belongs to the process of "making" and not only taking a photo.

I develop C41 also myself because it is faster, I get less scratches and the film will be cut correctly ...

 

[semrich]

I started with digital, went to film, started developing my own B&W film, will do my own color film after the batch I got back from my"Pro" lab, and if I had space for a darkroom I would be into the learning curve of doing my own wet printing as I write this.

For me it is the whole process, slowing down, forgetting most of the shots you take, and then the surprise of peeking at the shots coming off of the reel when hanging them to dry, and examining them on the light table. Totally my process.

 

[NathanJD]

It's not rocket science and anyone can do it - if you develop a lot then it's cost effective too. it would make less sense for me not to be doing it...

Plus it's really satisfying and fun!! 😀