First time developing film... with a few questions.

[cjm]

I took the plunge and bought stuff to develop my own B&W film instead of just buying another camera I don't need.

Here are some of my results from my first roll (no post processing):

Olympus XA2 (my only metered 35mm camera at the moment)
HP5 @800 developed in HC-110 dilution B (1:31) at 76 deg for 5 min.

1. What you you think about the results?

2. How do you prevent water spots? I used a film wiper but most of the pictures still have spots.

3. Also, what exactly is "agitation"? From what I gathered, it's just "inverting" or turning the tank upside down during development. Is "agitation" anything more? What effect will it have on the film?

I gently "inverted" for the first 15 seconds and then for 15 seconds every minute after that.

Thanks for looking.

 

[drewbarb]

These look pretty good- I'd say you are on the right track. To prevent water spots, use a wetting agent like Photo-Flo. After the final wash, give the film a rinse for 20 or 30 seconds in dilute wetting agent, then pull the film off the roll and hang to dry- don't wipe the film with anything. If you prefer, you can use a drop of regular dishwashing detergent in a half gallon of water- this will do the same thing as a commercial photo product.

Agitation is just movement to stir the chemical solutions in the tank. You do this to move the chemical particles around to make sure you have get even development and fixing. Everyone has their own style. For agitating in small tanks, I combine inversion of the tank with rotation. Generally speaking, agitaion will control contrast; that is, more agitation will increase contrast, and less will decrease it. You'll find that different developer/film/speed combinations require different amounts of agitation for optimal results. I generally agitate for the first 30 or 45 seconds, then 5 to 10 seconds per minute thereafter; the specifics of this are different with different combinations. I try to regulate my movement so that I always get three rotating inversions in five seconds, but it can change with size of the tank I'm using. You will find about as many theories about agitation as you will darkroom processors- the trick is to stay consistent and repeatable with what you do; you should experiment to find your own optimal results.

Take careful notes on your whole regimen, and when you change a factor, like agitation, time, temperature, dilution, etc.- note the result. Change only one variable at a time.

 

[hans voralberg]

Looks great for your first time. I trashed 3 rolls when I first started.

 

[Henryah]

First time developing film

First time developing film

Very good! You read the instructions.
A representative from Kodak said many years ago that the best chemical mixers and developers were the beginners,since they adhered closely to the insructions.After a while we tend to get sloppy.

 

[wallace]

1. fantastic results for the first time!
2. use dest. water for the last bath.
3. find your own method for agitation. I agitate for the first minute and then for 10 seconds every minute.

 

[Bruin]

Hey cjm,

Like others have said, good job on your first try! Everyone has their own developing practices but the key is really CONSISTENCY. That's how you figure out the effects of changing something in your process and how you can be confident of excellent results time after time, when you settle on a process you like.

I use dishwasher rinse aid (Jet Dry) as a wetting agent because I have it on hand. About three drops in a 16 oz. tank of distilled water works for me. I try to minimize my film developing chemicals to save money and keep it simple for me.

I follow Fuji's recommendations for agitation - continuous for the first minute, for 5 sec. every minute thereafter. I calmly turn the tank upside down, listen for the air bubble to reach the "top", rotate the tank by 1/4 turn, then turn it right-side up. Neopans produce the best results with gentle agitation, so I invert only once or twice in 5 sec.

 

[cjm]

Thank you very much for the responses! I'm going to get some jet dry and develop another roll this afternoon if it doesn't get too hot. It's supposed to get to about 90 degrees where I am today. Hopefully I'll be consistent. 🙂

 

[drewbarb]

If you are going to buy a rinse aid, get a bottle of Kodak Photo-Flo. I probably costs about the same, and is diluted to roughly the same amount, but it's made specifically for film. I'd only use other (non-photo specific) products like Jet Dry if I already had it on hand.

About water- I use tap water for everything except my rinse aid. For Photo Flo, I use distilled water. I re-use it until it no longer looks clean; if I can see stuff floating in it, or it it's no longer clear, I dump it and start fresh.

 

[cjm]

I got some Jet Dry (I needed some for dish washing anyway) and it worked fine. No more water spots!

Also, I use my bathroom as a darkroom and I had a little scare. A towel fell off a window in the adjoining room (letting more light in). As a result, I could see some light coming into the bathroom. Luckily, it wasn't enough light to make any noticeable difference with the undeveloped negatives as I tried to load them onto the reels. 🙂

Here are some shots from my second roll, again on the XA2.

HP5@800, HC-110, dilution b, 75 deg, 5 min

(my graduation)

 

[drewbarb]

Excellent all around. Congratulations on graduating.

 

[40oz]

very nice. Congratulations on two fronts 🙂

Hey, if you have non-metered cameras, developing at home is so handy. You quickly learn to expose better when you control how they are processed. I know I have brought my developing times and exposure times together, with the processor side of me saying, "now, you know you need more light than that. Either find a new subject or open the aperture/shutter." lol.

Seriously, it's unconscious knowledge. You don't have to look for it or spend any extra effort. Just looking at your shots and mistakes informs you.

 

[NickTrop]

Great stuff!!! This came out of the little XA?!? Niiiiiiiiiiiiice!!!! I LOVE the perspective shot of the graduates.

The best advice I can give in terms of developing your own black and white is DO NOT confuse your fixer with a glass of Diet Sprite!!! N-n-n-n-n-nooooo. Try never to do that.
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[cjm]

Thanks everyone!

40oz - I've got an Iskra 6x6 (non-metered) so I'll give developing 120 a whirl soon.

Nick - no chance of that, I can't stand clear soda. 🙂