Home B&W development: feasability and equipment recommendations

[squirrel$$$bandit]

I doubt the metal vs plastic debate will be resolved in this thread.

To clarify, I'm don't really believe that metal reels are "better," just that, when I was starting out, the jamming of the Paterson reels felt like some kind of mysterious technological disaster, whereas with metal, you can feel where the kink is and fix it. For an anxious beginner with very sweaty hands, I found the metal more forgiving, and stuck with it.

This thread is making me think I should try the Paterson again, though.

 

[philipus]

2) See if you can find a Photoflex Changing Room—it's the best changing bag there's ever been, and now it's out of production

Agree. This is what I use. But it is not out of production. I am in the Netherlands and ordered one only a few months ago from photoflex.nl.

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

Agree. This is what I use. But it is not out of production. I am in the Netherlands and ordered one only a few months ago from photoflex.nl.

After posting that last night, I looked again and found it in stock at Freestyle Photo. B&H had listed it as "discontinued," which is where I got the information. This is a real relief! I ordered a new one. It's pricey but worth it, I think.

 

[FrankS]

Before my dedicated darkroom, I used a traditional changing bag but used wire support hoops to keep it expanded.

 

[Whateverist]

Right, shopping list sanity check time:

Required:
-----------

- Beakers & funnels: already present

- Changing bag
- Paterson System 4 tank + reel
- Ilford rapid fixer
- Kodak D-76 developer
- Thermometer

Do these sound useful?
--------------------------
- Kaiser film cartridge opener
- Film wiper (squeegee thing)

 

[Filzkoeter]

Sounds good. I don't know about the wiper though, I don't really trust them.
I'm using kitchen paper towels (folded several times) or my fingers to wipe of excessive water (or nothing at all) 😉
Also: demineralized water or water with photo flo/tiny drop of dishwasher liquid can come in handy for better drying/not getting water marks. It seems that this point is different for everyone... you'll find what works best for you and your water.
Expect to experiment with different routines until you find a workflow that works best for you.

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

Yes, I'd eschew the squeegee, unless somebody can recommend a really good one...they always scratched my negs. I now use a very soft kitchen sponge, slit lengthwise to make a channel for the film, which I have soaked with warm water and squeezed out. And Photo-Flo is indeed helpful.

Good luck! This is really fun to do and more forgiving than you might think.

 

[batterytypehah!]

Do these sound useful?
--------------------------
- Kaiser film cartridge opener
- Film wiper (squeegee thing)

You'll only need the opener if you rewind the film all the way back into the cartridge. As somebody mentioned above, it's actually a good idea to get into the habit of leaving a little film sticking out (provided your camera allows for that). You can tear or fold the end a certain way so you know it's an exposed roll.

With a changing bag in particular, the cartridge can save the day when the reel gives you trouble. Also, it keeps scratches and fingerprints off the film as much as possible.

Lastly, when you have the film safely in the tank with the tube, lid etc. correctly installed, make sure nothing else ended up inside the tank, like bits of film you cut off, or a cartridge lid. Kinda like counting instruments and sponges after surgery...

 

[Pete B]

I don't use a squeegee. I use Photoflo, and when I hang the film, I dampen two fingers with the water/photoflo the film's just been in, then, with the film hanging I draw my finger-squeegee down the length of the hanging film. The film seems to dry without water marks having used the Photoflo.
Pete

 

[zauhar]

I doubt the metal vs plastic debate will be resolved in this thread. Hewes, kinderman, Paterson, jobo are all good systems. About darkness. I load my tanks in my bathroom, which is windowless, and only at night, and only with all other lights in the apartment switched off. Using a room is a lot more convenient than a bag, especially if you have a counter surface. To determine if a room is dark enough, sit in the room for 10 minutes, to let your eyes adjust. You will start seeing the cracks around the door, and the after glow of compact fluorescent bulbs, and any other source. If they are minor sources of light, you can resolve them with some ingenuity. Also, study your tank. If it is a Paterson/jobo type, it is only light tight with the center tube in place. If you are having difficulty loading the reel, and you are getting frustrated, roll up the film and put it in the tank. Go watch some cat videos, or whatever, and return to it later. Your patience will be tested at some point, but you will figure it out.

In my experience, minor sources of light (fluorescent tube afterglow, power strip light, blinking LED on computer) are not a problem, so long as they are not close by - just so long as you can't see your hand in front of your face at the location where you are loading film .

Randy

 

[Whateverist]

Look at my film processing tutorials. I have several how-to videos, and a page of my tested film developing times with different films and developers.

http://crawfordphotoschool.com/film/index.php

Going through the videos now. You've got a great, clear way of explaining the process.

 

[rodinal]

Also, watch out for your cell phone when into your "darkroom" unless you are using a changing bag or tent. If someone called you while loading film...

In my experience, minor sources of light (fluorescent tube afterglow, power strip light, blinking LED on computer) are not a problem, so long as they are not close by - just so long as you can't see your hand in front of your face at the location where you are loading film .

Randy

 

[leicapixie]

A few tips.Filters for chemicals. I store water in large bottles.
My water is ph neutral and at a temperature same as chemicals.If you find it difficult to start loading film on ss reels, use the leader in light.
Then load rest in dark or bag.Be consistent.
Have Fun?

 

[zauhar]

Also, watch out for your cell phone when into your "darkroom" unless you are using a changing bag or tent. If someone called you while loading film...

I've had it happen! Even if it's in your pocket, the room lights up...

But I was lucky, film was unaffected

 

[Oscuro]

I will only say that if you really wanna do this, transition to the stainless steel Hewes reels as soon as you can. They are so vastly superior for so many reasons, not the least being that you can reload them when wet.

 

[rwintle]

Tons of good advice up there.^

If you are lucky enough to have an area of your house that is about the right temperature (e.g. my basement, which hangs at about 19 degrees C most of the year), you can add a couple of large jugs. Fill them with water and leave them to sit until they're at room temperature. Bingo - now all your chemicals and washes will be at the right temperature. 🙂

I wouldn't bother with a film cartridge opener unless you need something special to avoid damaging them, assuming you're re-filling and re-using them. If you're buying film and chucking out the cartridges later, just use a "church key" bottle opener. Cheap and cheerful. Grab one at the dollar store or dig one out of the kitchen drawer.

I use the Paterson System 4 and like it. Have had sporadic hissy-fits trying to load 120 film but that gets better with practice I guess.

You can hang your film using the coat hanger + clips idea illustrated above, or just about anything else. I use A-clamps from the hardware store that fit nicely over a shower curtain rod and provide enough weight.

If you mention the squeegee thing again you will start a near-religious debate about whether or not to use one (or use fingers, or not, etc. etc. etc.). You've been warned. 😉

EDIT - it seems I didn't read all the posts... and the debate has already started. Politely, tho'. 😉

Photo-flo or similar might be a good addition to your list.

Perhaps something more accurate for measuring small volumes? Graduated cylinders are good, or even a large syringe or two (possibly easily scammed from any laboratory scientists you might know).

Oh, and you don't have stop bath listed - but you can use water, or make your own out of acetic acid or even white vinegar.

Good luck and enjoy. I waffled for many months before starting this and will never go back. It's too much fun. 😀

 

[philipus]

After posting that last night, I looked again and found it in stock at Freestyle Photo. B&H had listed it as "discontinued," which is where I got the information. This is a real relief! I ordered a new one. It's pricey but worth it, I think.

Phew, that's great. I also considered the Calumet version but opted for the Photoflex because its "sleeves" stick out from the sides. The Calumet has the sleeves on the front and I imagined that to become a difficult working position. I am very happy with the Photoflex for this (and other) reasons.

Btw, there are also Kindermann tanks and reels of stainless steel. The reels don't have the clip but rather a "lip" under which one slides the film. Hewes are often rather costly, I've noticed.

About cartridge opener, a Swiss army knife's or similar can opener works well too but leaving the leader out is the easiest if the camera allows it.




cheers
Philip

 

[kiss-o-matic]

My two cents: I hate the changing bag... seems it always gets in the way. I also have really long arms. I do my best to black out the bathroom and do it in there. That usually means I have to wait until night to do so.

 

[Daniel Teoli Jr.]

Feasibility??

I don't understand? I started in my bathroom as a kid, then the kitchen, then the garage. Some Magnum photogs did it in their bathtub while on assignment. You can develop almost anywhere except inside an X-ray machine.

 

[Bill Clark]

I use pliers to open up a factory cartridge. I take the plastic piece out that has fthe film before loading on to the reel. I haven't had any problems with Paterson reels although I thoroughly rinse the reel and everthing else, dry it off with a towel, place on a window sill to dry over night.

I do use either photo-flo or sistan as a last dip for the film then hang to dry. No squeeging or anything else. As I understand, photo flo was designed to have the water flow off the film. Works for me.

Info on photo-flo:

http://www.kodak.com/global/en/prof...ocessing/photoFloSolution.jhtml?pq-path=14039

When I bulk load film I use cartridges that open easy peasy. Since I'm cheap I re-use them.

No problems yet.