drewbarb
picnic like it's 1999
This is a great post! First, great idea about us doing a sticky thread on this regular topic, and second, that link you posted is very helpful along these lines.
To the OP- I'd recommend getting comfortable with roll film again first before you tackle the 4x5. There are so many ways to do 4x5, and I'd suggest its worth getting comfortable again with the process with roll film in tanks before you decide how you want to tackle sheet film.
Definitely pick one developer and one film and stick with these until you are pretty comfortable with them before branching out to try other things. I'd suggest something like D76 or Ilford ID-11. Use plain water for stop bath, or add a bit of white vinegar if you want the acid stop to save you fix longer, and have at it. Any fixer will do.
Someone else above commented on how some folks like to spend lots of money on this stuff. You don't have to go that way. For instance- check your recycling bin for empty bottles to store your chemistry in. Choose good size glass or plastic bottles that you can thoroughly and reliably clean, and that have good tight fitting lids. Store them in a dark cabinet or locker. Raid the office supply for binder clips- they make pretty good film hanging clips. I drop a few washers over the metal handle loops for weights to use on the bottom end of roll films.
Someone above mentioned the accordion type collapsable storage bottles, but I would urge you not to get these- they are a marketing gimmick. They are a pain in the ass to clean, and they don't really work as a way to keep your air out of your chemistry- they are a waste of money, IMO.
Processing your own film at home is easy and fun, and really doesn't have to cost much or otherwise be a big deal. Spend money for good tanks and reels, a thermometer and chemistry. The rest can be improvised without hurting your results at all.
