Good enough for newbie to start developing film? Advice please....

[fixbones]

Hi there,

I have decided to take the plunge and start developing my own film.

Is this 'Arista Premium Darkroom Kit' sold by Freestyle good enough?
Am i likely to want/need an upgrade after i am more familiar with developing?

Recommendations most welcomed =D

 

[Gradskater]

Are you just developing or printing as well?

I just develop my film to scan, and I ended up only buying the arista plastic tank, and three jugs to hold the developer and fixer. the rest of the pieces (funnel - cut the top off a water bottle, bottle opener, clothes pins) I got from around the house, and I didn't need any graduated cylinders or thermometers because I am using diafine.

 

[Matt(1pt4)]

My home developing kit includes the following:

• patterson 2 reel plastic developing tank
• changing bag
• 2 cup Pyrex kitchen measure
• thermometer inheritted from grandad
• bottle opener
• small scissors
• eye dropper - good for rodinal, photoflo
• assorted nalgene bottles for chemical storage - the 1 and .5 liter sizes are really useful for mixing and storing
• iPod touch with chronolite for time keeping

I have some graduated cylinders too, but I haven't uses them in years.

 

[Ducky]

If you are developing to scan then all you need from Freestyle is the Arista Premium Double Reel Developing Tank with two reels
Model# 5041
Everything else you can get at the Dollar store.
Spend the money on film.
I recommend Arista Premium 400 film, D-76 and Kodak Professional fixer to start. It is a forgiving combination.

 

[djonesii]

Don't forget the changing bag .....

I have been working w/ D-76, and stared with the Kodak fixer, but it includes a hardener, I would suggest looking at a fixer without the hardener. As soon as my fist batch is used up, I will make the switch myself.

For the way I'm working, I got some brown 1 gallon bottles to store the mixed chemicals in. Then, I use 1 plastic liter fizzy water bottles in an ice bath to bring the chemicals to temp. As I live in a warm climate, this requires an ice bath.

I got my measuring cup at Wlamart.

Some folks say to use an acid stop bath, and others say to use a water stop, I have been using the Kodak indicator stop, and it has been working just fine.

Before I stated, it was not really clear to me if tap water was acceptable for mixing the stock solutions, and the conventional wisdom seems to be that it's just fine to do that.


The kit would be a waste IMHO. All the bits there can easily be found around the house or at the dollar store.


hope this helps.

Dave

 

[fixbones]

I think i'll go for the Hewes student kit that comes with a developing tank and 2 SS reels plus film sleeves.

My developer of choice is rodinal. Really like the way they look.

Also, what about stop-baths, fixers and hypo-clearing agents. There are so many to choose from......