how can I develop my OWN film ?

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proenca

Proenca
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Aug 27, 2006
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Ok, simple and easy. I bought a M8 and my MP is a bit aside. I usually when I went on holiday went to central london to a pro developer and develop my photos there. For day to day, I usually go to a photolab. Now that's the thing - photos from a MP in the photolab dont differ much from a film p&s.

So I guess I wanted to develop my own film ( b/w of course ). I tried to search the net but its rather confusing.

Can someone give me straight directions what to do, what to buy, what I need ( have camera and film, that's it :) ) since the moment I rewind the film in the camera ?

Im not looking into state of the art thing - I have my own bathroom in a shared house, so lets try to make things as tidy and simple as possible please.

If someone can give UK shops and or sites where to buy what, would be a bonus. If not, no big deal, I can browse and buy :)

Cheers in advance
 
Nova http://www.novadarkroom.com/

Give them a ring and they'll sort you out. I'm sure Silverprint can also advise as well.

Don't worry, it's much (much) easier than it's made out to be.

You don't need a darkroom, if you're after a changing bag I know there are some "heavy duty cotton" ones that a UK seller does - they're very nice.
 
Good advice from everyone. Just set up your work flow and be consistent and careful. Time/temp/agitation consistency along with careful mixing of chemicals and you will have no troubles.
 
charjohncarter said:
.... be consistent and careful....
Click to expand...

Those are wise words, took me some time to learn the importance of that. Actually, I still havn't learnt :)
 
I found that the basics are surprisingly easy. Choose readily available chemistry and film type and as has been said, be consistent. (It can be very cheap too!)
 
Uggh, DON'T DO IT!
Or you'll be spending until 2AM like me last night washing and drying 16x20 prints and not getting enough sleep. Then waking up in the morning and get that feeling "wow, I did those?"
You'll be a recluse in the darkroom, smell like fixer, walk around the house looking at "real" prints....you'll be a zombie man!
Seriously, all you need are the basics:
dark bathroom to load film (or changing bag)
tank
reels
d-76
water
fixer
more water

That'll get you started on film. Then you'll need to make contacts....
You are doomed.
 
Ilford have a really useful little leaflet on developing your first film that you should check out: linkage.

I'd take issue with some of the kit recommendation on the Ilford site (like never use a double-sided squeegee unless you REALLY like scratched negs), and I tend to use a water rinse in place of a stop bath, but it's well worth a read.

For supplies you should look at Silverprint, Retro Photographic, Process Supplies or Mr Cad. Enjoy.
 
I just have chemicals, tank + reel and a bathroom, it;s a quick and easy job, though time it right and expect to mess up the first 1 or 2 roll. And make sure it as dust free as possibl
 
As others have said, it is neither difficult nor expensive. You may care to take a look at this for info on dev tanks and handling film:

http://www.rogerandfrances.com/photoschool/ps howdoi.html

More will be up shortly (the web-master tells me) about loading the film into the tank and actually developing it (as distinct from choosing a tank, converting the toilet, etc.)

Cheers,

Roger
 
Last edited:
First you buy a densitometer .... well, nevermind. :)

Just do it - it's easy to do and only a little bit harder to do it well.

-A
 
I bought all the materials including tanks, changing bag, measuring cylinders and thermometer from Jessops under 'Accessories/Darkroom' (easier to find by typing into web address, as the site index has a subheading under 'Accessories' called 'Darkroom Accessories' which doesn't have very much in it). The 'Darkroom' sub-directory is there but was missed from the 'Accessories' index page when the site was re-organized earlier this year. I paid less than £100 for the complete set of tanks etc, but you should be able to pick up some bargains on ebay from photographers that are going all digital much cheaper.

I also buy my ilford film and chemicals in bulk using the Jessops website. Packs of 10 of Pan F cost about £21.99, much cheaper than buying single rolls at almost £4 each.

The ilford (Harman) website has plenty of information regarding development times, there are data sheets available for each film type, and as stated above there are plenty of online guides you can refer to without needing to shell out on books.

I bought some stop bath but don't use it, just a water rinse between developer and fixer, I've not had any problems and have processed about 50 rolls successfully, with no failures yet, since starting late last year.

Apart from the computer which I already had, the biggest outlay was the scanner. Considering that getting a film processed commercially can cost in excess of £10 it won't take long to break even doing it yourself, it's more fun anyway but can be time consuming.

Iain
 
It's not so much the developing of the film I find time consuming, it's the scanning afterwards. I am now considering buying a loupe and small light table to preview negs quickly to save myself the time it takes to preview on Nikon Scan.

Not that I mind, it's easier to get the pictures I want by processing and scanning myself:)

Iain
 
The best suggestion (what I did) is learn from someone else in person, take a class. It will be well worth your time.[/quote]


I second Fred's idea of learning from someone else.... people that develop love to pass on their skills. The hardest part is loading a reel but you will soon get the hang of it. I would hate to guess how many rolls I have developed over the years but I still enjoy it ... why let other people have your fun (and pay them for their pleasure)
 
Buy the textbook to any Photo 1 college course and you'll have all the directions you'll ever need. Try to start w/ a liquid concentrate developer. It makes life a bit simpler.
 
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