finally got started - first results

[alexnotalex]

I finally got up the courage to do my own BW processing at home.
I found the workflow less intimidating than I thought, but still need loads of practise and experimenting to do.

HP5, emofin 5.5+5.5 minutes
Scanned as a slide then reversed. Some piddling in aperture and voila!
Not sure it has the bite I expected but not too bad.

I have 2 rolls of tri-x to soup. Can't wait!

Alex

 

[hipsterdufus]

Looks good to me; nice tonality.

 

[alexnotalex]

And now with some Tri-X.
I feel like now i've really gone digital given the scanning and post processing curve tweaks, sharpening, dust removing, etc. Hmmmm

 

[alexnotalex]

6 rolls in, prewashed last 2, and ended up with uneven dev on the edges of the film.
am verging on OCD with my little scanner experiments. Found that scanning at 1800ppi is no worse than 3600ppi since it turns less grain into noise. Soooo much to learn.

 

[alexnotalex]

10th roll of tri-x, this is more like it!

 

[ColSebastianMoran]

Looks good, Alex. What scanner?

 

[shadowfox]

Alex,
You're getting familiar with developing.
Now start looking for an enlarger locally 🙂

Keep going, you're doing well.

 

[kmallick]

great job! it is addicting and now before you know you will be wet printing as well.

 

[gb hill]

Really like that last shot. I'm always practicing.😉 I have one of those el cheapo scanners I paid $40.00 but for right now it works. Keep up the great work.

 

[Ducky]

It's like magic, isn't it. I love it. Very nice images.

 

[timor]

HP5, emofin 5.5+5.5 minutes

Not sure it has the bite I expected but not too bad.
I have 2 rolls of tri-x to soup. Can't wait!
Alex

Hi. I've never seen emofin befor, but looks from the first picture like 5.5 min first bath is too long. Highlights are visibly blocked, too much contrast. Then this is a horrendous price for 1(x2) liter of stock solution. If you like two bath process why not to mix own Stoeckler Two Bath. Very good with HP5, perfect for TX and anything else with non tabular emulsion. (I did not try it on TMX or TMY yet, so I can not say.)
The last picture looks awesome.

 

[Pirate]

Before starting at college I was developing my own stuff at home and made some mistakes-- My agitation was not good enough, this gave me uneven developing along the edges of my film, like you described. Also, make sure the time in the fixer is long enough. Five minutes should be a bare minimum, no less. More time is ok.

Here's a very harsh example of what I was getting before I learned to agitate properly:

 

[Haigh]

Looks good to me too.

 

[alexnotalex]

Thanks everyone for the encouraging words. The last roll was definitely the best so far.

what i'm learning...
1. don't shoot at f2 with my gear
2. don't underexpose then push, you haven't mastered that yet
3. take time focusing, think about the shot
4. try to see in BW
5. relax with the OCD scanning thing already.

I scanned with a PrimeFilm 3650u from ebay, on Mac OSX snow leopard. The latest drivers and cyberview X 5 made a big difference. Scanned at 2400 on BW film setting; a bit lifeless straight out of the scanner, but looked like I got the details. Then in Aperture increased definition, tweaked levels, and added a vignette.

With the PP I really feel like I'm going digital, but results like the till make me very happy.

The Emofin's only good for 15 rolls. Next planning to experiment with D76, Rodinal and XTOL. The scanning is such a chore though. I have an eye on the old enlarger in my father's attic. It's only a matter of time...

best,

 

[Roger Hicks]

Thanks everyone for the encouraging words. The last roll was definitely the best so far.

what i'm learning...
1. don't shoot at f2 with my gear
2. don't underexpose then push, you haven't mastered that yet
3. take time focusing, think about the shot
4. try to see in BW
5. relax with the OCD scanning thing already.

I scanned with a PrimeFilm 3650u from ebay, on Mac OSX snow leopard. The latest drivers and cyberview X 5 made a big difference. Scanned at 2400 on BW film setting; a bit lifeless straight out of the scanner, but looked like I got the details. Then in Aperture increased definition, tweaked levels, and added a vignette.

With the PP I really feel like I'm going digital, but results like the till make me very happy.

The Emofin's only good for 15 rolls. Next planning to experiment with D76, Rodinal and XTOL. The scanning is such a chore though. I have an eye on the old enlarger in my father's attic. It's only a matter of time...

best,

2 I'm not sure anyone ever does

4 Consider a pan vision filter. It's deep olive green; you hold it in front of your eye; and it gives an astonishingly good idea of B+W tonal relationships.

Cheers,

R.

 

[timor]

The Emofin's only good for 15 rolls. Next planning to experiment with D76, Rodinal and XTOL. The scanning is such a chore though. I have an eye on the old enlarger in my father's attic. It's only a matter of time...

Hi. I would suggest not to experiment with too many developers for starters. Master one to the point, that you will know outcome at the moment you choose the subject. I would suggest to stick to one film for now. The goal of that is, that if you go out with camera, you will have something you are sure about. Experimenting with different chemicals and film is worthwhile only if you have something to compare to. D76 will be a good choice as it is widely available, standard, used by many photographers developer.
I don't understand, what is it with your gear and f2 ?

 

[Pirate]

Here:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/330726-REG/Tiffen_BWVF_1_Black_and_White.html

 

[alexnotalex]

HP5 and Diafine, much happier with the sharpness.

M3, Nikkor HC at f2.8, 1/125, focussing carefully, framing sloppily.
The bad news? I don't need a new lens, or a new scanner, just need to work on my technique.

... although f2 would be nice...

 

[Peter_Jones]

Love the tones and contrast in that last one 🙂

 

[alexnotalex]

no more squeegee fingers!!!!
and yes, it's through the whole roll.

aaaaaaargh!!!!!!!!!