Faster (cheaper?) place for B&W developing?

A

acjeske

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Feb 17, 2021
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Just re-entering film. My local shop says they take about a month. I went with Process One to develop my first three rolls. Now I get a notice that they're 3-4 weeks for B&W.

Is there anywhere faster?

Or even just a place that's cheaper than everywhere else?

(sigh...)

And yes, I'm researching how to get set up and just do B&W myself, but I'm not there yet.
 
You could try using a film like Ilford XP2 instead. C41 chromogenic film that can be run through standard lab machines. It is a really wonderful film with great tonality and dynamic range.
 
davidde1000 said:
You could try using a film like Ilford XP2 instead. C41 chromogenic film that can be run through standard lab machines. It is a really wonderful film with great tonality and dynamic range.
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Oh, cool. That'd be helpful. (I'm not married to any film stock yet...) How does it compare to HP5 or other regular B&W films?
 
acjeske said:
Oh, cool. That'd be helpful. (I'm not married to any film stock yet...) How does it compare to HP5 or other regular B&W films?
Click to expand...

I think it is better and more convenient to use. And it scans as a "color" film so all the dust removal software can be used.
 
Bathroom developed BW film is total no-brainier. :)

Use Rodinal for one hour developing. Doesn't matter which BW film.
Use any BW fixer available. Check how fast it will eat emulsion and multiply this time x2.5 for fixing time. Even if you will do x4 it won't do nothing wrong.

Get PhotoFlo. One bottle will lasts for many years.

Two dress hungers with clips. One goes on bathroom light another is source for two clips to weight two rolls of film.

And use Paterson developing tank with two spools. Avoid metal tanks, spools like a plague.
 
Like Kostya says, bathroom or deep sink in a basement or even kitchen, is the fastest and cheapest.

Phil Forrest
 
I was a bathroom/kitchen/laundry room developer for many years and then I put a darkroom in the basement. But the equipment for home developing is really quite inexpensive and doesn't take up much space. An hour here and there and you have perfect negatives for scanning or printing which can be tweaked to your process - more or less contrast, denser or thinner, etc. Well worth the time.
 
Ko.Fe. said:
Bathroom developed BW film is total no-brainier. :)

Use Rodinal for one hour developing. Doesn't matter which BW film.
Use any BW fixer available. Check how fast it will eat emulsion and multiply this time x2.5 for fixing time. Even if you will do x4 it won't do nothing wrong.

Get PhotoFlo. One bottle will lasts for many years.

Two dress hungers with clips. One goes on bathroom light another is source for two clips to weight two rolls of film.

And use Paterson developing tank with two spools. Avoid metal tanks, spools like a plague.
Click to expand...

You mean like this... https://www.amazon.com/Paterson-Universal-tank-reels-115/dp/B0000BZMIH
 
You don't mention where you're located. It would be a pain to be paying two-way shipping across the country. Processing your own film gives you consistency you wouldn't otherwise get. For $99 you can get a kit from B&H with a Patterson tank (free shipping) and a few dollars for chemicals and you've got all you need.
 
Try the Cinestill black and white monobath if you want even simpler at-home developing method.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Is there any point in me recommending labs here in Australia? You've given us no idea whereabouts in the world you are. If you want to bring some rolls around I'll develop them for you, and show you how to do it yourself. (That's a genuine offer, by the way, I've helped over a dozen people get started in black and white, I do it at no charge to encourage those interested to shoot film). But I'm in Tasmania.
Where are you??
 
I think the advice to develop B&W at home is great advice and I thank you all for your experience. In my mind, I've always been hesitant to do it relegating it to some mystical process.

Years ago, I bought all the equipment to do it. I have everything! Even the original 1-gallon box of Diafine (hope it's still good). But I have this mental block about starting the process: practicing loading reels in the changing bag etc. - not being afraid of blowing my first or second rolls - i.e., not loading them right or exposing them to light inadvertently. I even still have a roll of sacrificial film to practice loading the reel... ....I just need to start doing it. This thread helps. Thanks.
 
Just do it yourself. Developing is easy, and fun. Less expensive. In my case it resulted in better quality negs too. One of my regrets in film photography is waiting sol long to develop my own stuff.
 
Changing bag is the source of the problem. Use natural environment a.k.a. bathroom.
Wait for no sun time to avoid light leaks around door and remove, tape all not needed light sources inside. Like green LED light on power outlet breaker.
 
Ko.Fe. said:
Changing bag is the source of the problem. Use natural environment a.k.a. bathroom.
Wait for no sun time to avoid light leaks around door and remove, tape all not needed light sources inside. Like green LED light on power outlet breaker.
Click to expand...

Ok, yes makes sense. I heard about sweaty hand/humidity creating sticky issues while inside the bag - especially if you are fumbling around like I might be first several times... lol :p and also the constrained environment of the changing bag itself.

I do have a windowless bathroom and better - a towel closet in the bathroom - where I can do a quick load in the canister. Thanks.
 
raydm6 said:
Ok, yes makes sense. I heard about sweaty hand/humidity creating sticky issues while inside the bag - especially if you are fumbling around like I might be first several times... lol :p and also the constrained environment of the changing bag itself.

I do have a windowless bathroom and better - a towel closet in the bathroom - where I can do a quick load in the canister. Thanks.
Click to expand...

I use a Calumet film changing tent. There is ample space for my 4x5 , 120 and 35mm change. It is fairly inexpensive here in UK (£50) one of the best purchases I have made for film photography as I develop all my own negatives C41, b+W and E6. It really is an enjoyable process and has helped me appreciate and understand film photography. It really isn't difficult at all!!
 
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