I wrote a how-to for B&W film processing

[bmattock]

I hope you find it useful:

http://www.growlery.com/photography/process_b_and_w/

Man, I gotta get a life!

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks

 

[CleverName]

Great page! Thanks for the info, now I have an excuse to use that really cool stainless steel nikor developing tank I bought.

By the way, my "dark space" looks exactly like your "dark space" 😉

 

[Peter]

Thanks Bill for your effort! 🙂

 

[denishr]

Nice page, Bill!
Should be a great resource for those still thinking about developing their own film. As you've shown, it's not really a big deal.

 

[taffer]

Bill that's simply great ! I wish some more people will took the step when reading that 🙂

 

[mourges]

Great article - The only thing you could add would be another photo of a dark room - maybe a film changing bag, which is what i use. That way as i am spooling my film onto the reels, I can watch TV 🙂

(Generally repeats of the simpsons!)

 

[Bubba]

Very nicely done Bill. I've been tossing about the idea of processing my own film and your tutorial is very practical. You left out the price of a developing tank and reel in the cost breakdown (everyone is a critic aren't they?).

Of course I now have to convince "you-know-who" first. She is very particular about what goes on in the kitchen. Do you have problems with chemical splatters staining the counters? We have a stainless steel sink, so I'm not too worried about that. When storing chemicals, is heat a problem. I would like to store chemicals in the garage, but as you might imagine, here in Florida it gets mighty warm sometimes. Does heat break down the chemicals faster? Also, is there any problems using a changing bag as opposed to the closet? We don't have any rooms dark enough in our house.

Sorry for all questions. I really want to do this, but don't want to do it half-assed.

Bubba

 

[bmattock]

First of all, I want to thank everyone who posted a response to my one-liner last night. I worked on that web page for nigh onto 14 hours all told, and I was just dead when I got done. I posted the link and fell into bed. Still recovering, I need coffee!

Very nicely done Bill. I've been tossing about the idea of processing my own film and your tutorial is very practical. You left out the price of a developing tank and reel in the cost breakdown (everyone is a critic aren't they?).

Thanks, Bubba. I have fixed that part, sorry! Please be a critic, I can use some good critics!

Of course I now have to convince "you-know-who" first. She is very particular about what goes on in the kitchen. Do you have problems with chemical splatters staining the counters? We have a stainless steel sink, so I'm not too worried about that.

Not at all. However, if you fail to clean up any overspill with the developer, it will leave white marks. You can wipe them off, I haven't found anything they permanently stain, but they won't show up until the developer dries, which is usually later. Get my meaning? Do a good clean up before YOU leave the kitchen, and there most likely won't be any complaints from she who must be obeyed.

When storing chemicals, is heat a problem. I would like to store chemicals in the garage, but as you might imagine, here in Florida it gets mighty warm sometimes. Does heat break down the chemicals faster?

I don't know. I believe they say to store the chemicals in a cool dark place, but I'm not sure why. I'll check around and see if I can find an answer for you.

Also, is there any problems using a changing bag as opposed to the closet? We don't have any rooms dark enough in our house.

Nope, not if you're comfortable with it. I don't like those damned things myself.

Sorry for all questions. I really want to do this, but don't want to do it half-assed.

No, we definitely want you fully-assed. GRIN! OK, just kidding. I wrote this webpage because although I know a lot of people here on RFF who know a LOT more than me about developing film in the darkroom, there are also a lot of people who would love to do it, but are not sure how to start. There are a lot of resources out there for the advanced amateur, but not a lot to help someone make that first step - so I did this webpage. I did it for folks like you, and I hope you find it helpful and decide to give it a try!

I will be happy to answer any questions you might have, if I know the answer!

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks

 

[GeneW]

Bill, as always, your writing is excellent! User friendly, humourous, easy to follow, and infectious. I'm going to post a link to this on another forum I inhabit.

In reading it over I caught a couple of typos and wanted to add a few very minor suggestions.

"thermometor" - typo

"A pair of scissors" - you might want to mention barber shears. The thin blades make it easier to see where you're cutting on the negs

Can opener ("church key") to pry open the canister if the film is rewound inside. BTW I always rewind my film in all the way so I don't get it mixed up with new film.

Aside: I've always trimmed off the leader (in the dark) to create a squared off end to push into my Paterson reels. I didn't know you could leave the leader on. Always something new to learn!

"Data Sheet" - you might want to provide a link to Massive Dev Chart http://www.digitaltruth.com/devchart.html at this point.

"it does not fash me unduly" - typo

And lastly, do mention a large changing bag as an alternative to a closet. I've been using changing bags for 30+ years with no issues. In my house there is NO dark closet I could use.

Thanks again for a great piece!

Gene

 

[Allen Gilman]

Thanks Bill!

 

[Nikon Bob]

A large amount of time and effort well spent. Thanks Bill.

Bob

 

[bmattock]

Bill, as always, your writing is excellent! User friendly, humourous, easy to follow, and infectious. I'm going to post a link to this on another forum I inhabit.

In reading it over I caught a couple of typos and wanted to add a few very minor suggestions.

"thermometor" - typo

"A pair of scissors" - you might want to mention barber shears. The thin blades make it easier to see where you're cutting on the negs

Can opener ("church key") to pry open the canister if the film is rewound inside. BTW I always rewind my film in all the way so I don't get it mixed up with new film.

Aside: I've always trimmed off the leader (in the dark) to create a squared off end to push into my Paterson reels. I didn't know you could leave the leader on. Always something new to learn!

"Data Sheet" - you might want to provide a link to Massive Dev Chart http://www.digitaltruth.com/devchart.html at this point.

"it does not fash me unduly" - typo

And lastly, do mention a large changing bag as an alternative to a closet. I've been using changing bags for 30+ years with no issues. In my house there is NO dark closet I could use.

Thanks again for a great piece!

Gene

Gene,

I fixed it up, per your excellent suggestions. Thanks! However, 'fashed' is a word, not a typo, and I meant to use it. Scots origin, meaning annoyed or vexed. Shakespeare used it, could I do any less?

Besides, I just like saying it. Fashed. Ohh, that's good.

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks

 

[Solinar]

Bill, I've already book-marked the page.

I take it that you are using a rapid fixer, if it smells like ammonium sulftate.

I also cut off the film leader and round off the corners before inserting it into the reel. The leader can be used to check the condition of your fixer.

My system is that I have six 1 liter bottles for my working solutions, which are placed in a water bath. I usually try to knock out either 2 rolls of 120 or 3 rolls of 35mm at a time.

Anyway, your page is an excellent resource.

 

[Film dino]

Hi Bill, great effort; bookmarked it already. I too use a changing bag! (got small hands)
Just one nit-picking point- fixer doesn't actually smell like vingear (acetic acid) unless you are using combined stop-fix?; fixer is slightly sulphury (thiosulphate)

Your hard work is really appreciated.
David

 

[GeneW]

Gene,

I fixed it up, per your excellent suggestions. Thanks! However, 'fashed' is a word, not a typo, and I meant to use it. Scots origin, meaning annoyed or vexed. Shakespeare used it, could I do any less?

Besides, I just like saying it. Fashed. Ohh, that's good.

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks

LOL! 😀

Thanks for this exceedingly neat 'new' word. I'll definitely be using it!

Gene

 

[bmattock]

Bill, I've already book-marked the page.

Thank you! That's very gratifying to hear.

I take it that you are using a rapid fixer, if it smells like ammonium sulftate.

Well, I'm using Kodak Rapid Fix, and yes, it smells like vinegar, if that's what you mean. Strong vinegar.

I also cut off the film leader and round off the corners before inserting it into the reel. The leader can be used to check the condition of your fixer.

Good advice, thanks! As to checking the condition of my fixer - I throw it out, so no real need to check it, but great advice.

My system is that I have six 1 liter bottles for my working solutions, which are placed in a water bath. I usually try to knock out either 2 rolls of 120 or 3 rolls of 35mm at a time.

Sounds like a good workflow! I'm just a happy snapper, and I only process film on occasion, so I don't need to go to much in the way of an elaborate setup - a couple of gallon jugs and I'm good.

However, anyone who does more than once-in-awhile B&W processing would be well served to come up with their own system for workflow and chemical conservation, I agree.

Anyway, your page is an excellent resource.

Thank you again! I meant for the page to be a starting point - keeping it as simple as possible - so that people feel it is something they can do.

I've seen a lot of webpages that purport to teach B&W film processing, and they do, but they often get mired down in the small details of what their favorite developer is, how to mix your own chemistry at home, the economies of 55 gallon drums of raw chemicals, pyro, and all sorts of bizarre stuff. That all has a place in photography and I'm sure glad those resources are there, but I'm afraid it scares away new guys - and that's the last thing we need.

Our thing needs new blood, lots of it, and to do that, home B&W film development needs to be fully accessible, simple, and perceived as such. That way, people who are NOT nuts like us are encouraged to try it.

Keep it simple, let people who try it and like it discover the more advanced stuff later, right? Then they can try making their own photographic paper with egg whites and pyro developing and so on. All fun, but I say save it for later, when they're hooked!

Just my two cents!

Best Regards,

Bill mattocks

 

[bmattock]

Hi Bill, great effort; bookmarked it already. I too use a changing bag! (got small hands)
Just one nit-picking point- fixer doesn't actually smell like vingear (acetic acid) unless you are using combined stop-fix?; fixer is slightly sulphury (thiosulphate)

Your hard work is really appreciated.
David

Hmm, maybe my sniffer is broken? I have always thought that fixer smelled like vinegar. Again, I'm using Kodak Rapid Fix. I don't think it is stop bath combined, but I could be wrong. Anyway, I just happened to buy it this time. I used to use just regular Kodak Fixer - and it smells like vinegar to me too.

I only detect a whiff of sulpher (rotten egg smell) when I pour out the fixer after using it on the film. Fresh fixer smells like vinegar to me!

I guess I'm just weird!

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks

 

[Pherdinand]

Bill, get a life! 🙂
just joking, thanks for the very nice notes! I am seriously considering to build a darkroom, so it's right in time for me! Don't have to look for it on the Net 😀
Last time i googled darkroom setup i ended up with some hits on a Gothic/fetish porn site. Seriously.

 

[back alley]

as usual very nice work bill!

i loved the photo of the dark space, i laughed out loud.

joe

 

[SolaresLarrave]

Bill, thanks a big lot! I've done some "research" in the web and never did I find anything as direct and to the point as your page. And, of course, I too laughed at the dark spot photo!

Needless to say, I bookmarked your page and I'll share it with like-minded people I know.

Again, great job in summarizing and thanks a lot for taking the time! 🙂