How about a film swap?

[PaulN]

10 years after developing B&W film in school, I cobbled together some supplies and am souping film in my kitchen when time permits. Like a kid in a candy shop, I'm still trying to find out what I like best. I am trying to stick with liquid developers as they are easier to mix. I have a 1 year old at home, and don't want to risk some powers/dust that could end up in his mouth.

As my interest in developping increases, the amount of time I have decreases. I've mixed up some bottles of DD-X that have since expired, after only running a few rolls through them. I mixed up diafine last month but haven't had a chance. I recently picked up a bottle of Rodinal and want to run some TriX @ 3200 through it. The problem is, I don't want to waste it.

Has anyone considered a 'film swap' ? Where pro-rodinal developers would soup a roll in return for one of their rolls souped in something else? It'd be easy for folks to go out, shoot some film, and have it souped in different developers by people who know the developer. It also saves you from buying a bottle, opening it, and killing its life span if you don't like it.

What are the cons? Sending exposed film through the mail? Trust in other forum members?

If I was going to soup 5 rolls or so, I'd have no problem throwing in a roll from another forum member. The cost is minimal at best. The gain would be the ability to 'experiment' without having to store vats of chemicals (with varying lifespans). It also makes things easier for the folks in the 'burbs who may not have easy access to chemicals.

There have been some print swaps; why not film swaps?

-Paul

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

This is a very interesting idea. The main problem would be, though, if a roll doesn't turn out or is ruined, it could be a bigger problem. I think somebody screwing up on developing one's own film is very frustrating enough; having somebody else screw it up for you may raise serious issues. The responsibility would be enormous.

Having said that, again, it would be very very interesting to see how something like this would turn out.

 

[tetrisattack]

Sure, what the heck. I'd process somebody else's film, so long as they were not sending me a roll of something irreplaceable. The rules would have to be something like this:

1. Also send a self-addressed stamped envelope
2. Also send a printfile page and specs on how the negs should be cut.
3. Mistakes happen sometimes.

I can do 35 and 120. I develop in Rodinal and HC-110. My specialties are Tri-X, APX100, and Acros 100 shot normally and processed normally in both, as well as 400TX @ 1200-1600 in Rodinal 1:50, partial stand (neat edge effects here and wicked contrast, pretty rough negatives but they are printable if you're skilled).

I, personally, have wanted to try out D-76, XTOL, any pyro developer, and any vitamin C developer.

Is this something that other people are interested in, too?