Thinking of developing my won film, HELP!

[swmlon]

Hello everyone,

I have recently started shooting film again on a consistant basis having moved to digital about 4 years ago. Normally I would have taken my film to a lab near where I live, but their prices now are getting so ridiculously high (£9 to dev, £12 to dev with contact sheets) and I have to wait 24 hours too.

I have always been weary of developing my own film for fear of messing it all up and losing all the photos from that roll so sent it to lab.

But I see and read of all the members here who do their own work and decided to give it a go, but I dont know where to start, what to buy and how to do it all, or even where to buy here in London.

I also tend to push/pull my film a lot so would need advice on how to do all that as well.

I know I could get a book on all this but reading this forum their are some very informative people here I hope can help me.

Thanks for your help.

 

[totifoto]

You can find all youre answers here 😉


http://www.ilfordphoto.com/applications/page.asp?n=26

 

[Bassism]

Ilford's guide is great, and a very good place to start. That's what I used when I started doing my own darkroom work. They also have a good guide on printing if you want to get into that.
I don't know the situation in London, but around here, checking craigslist and the like brings up all kinds of people selling off their darkrooms. Usually you can find somebody selling everything you need for film development, in addition to an enlarger and equipment for making prints for usually around $100. This is a good way to go if you can find it, even if you're not planning on printing at the moment (Eventually you'll probably want to try it anyway.)

You'll need a developing tank, a changing bag (or a perfectly dark room) to load the tank, a thermometer, and some beakers to measure the chemicals.

Take a look around Ilford's site and ask here if you have any specific questions.

 

[johannielscom]

I got moving today on this and had already loaded two films in my tank, but forgot I haven't got any fixer at home 🙁

Anyway, while cruising the internet for some nice home made fixer (couldn't find any), I found this tutorial on how to do your own developing. Never mind the 5hit words, this is a pretty straight-forward approach.

And: there's a stand development Rodinal thread here, just use this page to search for the really easy way to go (that would be my way too, had I had any fixer...)

 

[Peter_Jones]

Everything's been answered so I can only say go for it - it's easier to do than describe.

Download the relevent data sheets for the film and developer you're using. If you can't get the temperature exactly to 20degC don't worry, there are temp/time charts on the data sheets. Use the "Ilford method" of washing the film after fixing unless you can control the tap water temp (and nobody flushes the toilet). As for drying I use a method found in a Roger Hicks (as seen on RFF) book which involves suspending the wet film diagonally across a doorframe attachong it with paperclips and elastic bands (to provide tension and not tear the sprocket holes)

Wear gloves in case your tank leaks when inverting, and common sense precautions.

Good luck.

 

[Al Kaplan]

Start with Kodak D-76 or Ilford ID-11, really the same thing, and use it in the 1:1 dilution. Forget about "pushing" and "pulling". Odds are that your lab did. It really changes contrast a lot more than it affects speed. If you really need a bit more speed use Diafine, but some films come out flat with it. Next choose a film. STAY with that film. Keep things simple. Consistancy is important.

For contact sheets you'll need some trays, a safelight, a piece of heavy glass, and a white light hanging over the table. A bare bulb with a pull cord switch works fine. Go to a glass and window store and tell them to cut you a piece of 1/4 inch glass about 9x11 inches and to round the corners and edges so you won't cut yourself. I've been using the same piece for about 40 years now and close to 50 for the trays I bought second hand. What could be more economical than that?

What I miss is being able to buy a 500 sheet box of 8x10 single weight glossy Luminos paper for $20.

 

[whickus]

if you can make your own bowl of cereal in the morning, you can develop your own film. it really is that simple. just keep everything labeled so you know what's what and you won't mess it up.