mark_goode Posted August 3, 2007 Share #1 Posted August 3, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) Thanks to some early coaching from members of this group, I took the plunge into developing my own B&W film. I mixed up a batch of Diafine, learned how to load the film on to a reel (grrrr!), and started developing. After experimenting with HP5+, FP4+, T-MAX 100 and 400, I've settled on "good old Tri-X" exposed at ISO 800. And boy has this been fun! I get up early in the AM, load a roll in my M7, and walk about town snapping pics. After a cup of coffee, I process the roll(s) in about 30 minutes, let them hang dry, cut them into 6 image strips, and they're ready for scanning. The images were taken with a variety of ASPH Summicrons: 28, 35, and 90 Attached are a few of my favorite early images. Your comments are welcome and appreciated. Regards, Mark You can see more here: Flickr: Leica Mark's photos tagged with diafine Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted August 3, 2007 Posted August 3, 2007 Hi mark_goode, Take a look here Diafine works for this newbie. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
kodaktrix Posted August 3, 2007 Share #2 Posted August 3, 2007 Mark, nice pictures! I use Diafine myself for several years now. If You need lower speeds, it goes also very well with Kodaks 125PX (PlusX, at 400 ASA) and Ilford PanF (at 100ASA). Regards Oliver Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark_goode Posted August 3, 2007 Author Share #3 Posted August 3, 2007 Mark,nice pictures! I use Diafine myself for several years now. If You need lower speeds, it goes also very well with Kodaks 125PX (PlusX, at 400 ASA) and Ilford PanF (at 100ASA). Regards Oliver Oliver, Thanks for your feedback on the pictures. BTW, I was wondering what slower speed films I should try - thanks for the suggestions. I'll give each a whirl this weekend. Regards, Mark Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
StS Posted August 3, 2007 Share #4 Posted August 3, 2007 ...learned how to load the film on to a reel (grrrr!),... If you got used to 35mm, try to cram 120 film in the reel. I ruined the first roll I tried. Very nice pictures. The exposures make good use of the dynamic range of your film/scanner combination. Are there still any machineguns in the boot of the Packard? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dfbldwn Posted August 3, 2007 Share #5 Posted August 3, 2007 I think you're consistently hitting the ball out of the park with that 35mm Summicron. Hope to see more...in the Photo Forum Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Metroman Posted August 3, 2007 Share #6 Posted August 3, 2007 Mark those are very nices images with good tonal range and some beautiful grain. Now you really are having fun and a Ford Agency model as well Enjoyed the Flickr collection too. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dfbldwn Posted August 3, 2007 Share #7 Posted August 3, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) Mark, On your Flickr collection my most favorite tones are in this one: Bradley and Baxter live here on Flickr - Photo Sharing! This one is not tag'd "Diafine". I was hoping you might explain what happened to it, to spare me the "pleasure" of duplicating the effect in my own work.<G> Self portrait on Flickr - Photo Sharing! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark_goode Posted August 3, 2007 Author Share #8 Posted August 3, 2007 Reels: sheesh! That's the hardest part of this whole process! I started with a Hewes metal reel and botched three rolls. Then I moved to the Patterson plastic reel system. Seemed simple enough. But not for this old guy. So now I have a Samigon reel on order from B&H. I want fool proof! (The more experienced photographers would urge me to simply practice, of course). I'll give you a product report on the Samigon. Re machine guns in the Packard: well, this car is parked across the street from the County Sheriff's office and when I walk by on my morning walk (camera in hand), the "boys" are out front having a smoke. Jimmying open the trunk (or boot for you Brits) would probably invite a genuine "decisive moment" . . . with me in the clink. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark_goode Posted August 3, 2007 Author Share #9 Posted August 3, 2007 Thanks David. And to think I picked up this Summicron from a shooter in Austin who had hardly used it; I mean it still had that "new lens smell!" He replaced it with a 35mm Summilux . . . I guess the extra stop is worth it to him, but to me? Nah . . . It is a marvelous lens. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark_goode Posted August 3, 2007 Author Share #10 Posted August 3, 2007 David, I shot the "Bradley and Baxter" pic to test the tonal range of the lens-film-scanner combo and was very pleased with the result. You're the first one to figure out what I was doing . . . Re the "self portrait" pic. There's a bit of a story here. I took that nearly two years ago right after I got the M7. We have a mirror that hangs over our breakfront. It looks like antique glass - hence the splotches in the image. But it's not an antique at all; we had it custom made. Like stonewashed jeans: brand new but made to look worn out. I used Kodaks CN400 BW film (C-41 process) for the image and scanned the negative. So while I'd like to either claim credit for some clever work in Photoshop or deny a charge of careless Diafine processing . . . I can't. I just stood in front of the mirror and clicked the shutter. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dfbldwn Posted August 3, 2007 Share #11 Posted August 3, 2007 David, So while I'd like to either claim credit for some clever work in Photoshop or deny a charge of careless Diafine processing . . . I can't. I just stood in front of the mirror and clicked the shutter. You get my first ever-awarded "Laugh Out Loud" response. Well done. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark_goode Posted August 3, 2007 Author Share #12 Posted August 3, 2007 Thanks Andy. I love shooting with the film and the beauty is all around . . . even across the kitchen table in the morning! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
likea Posted August 3, 2007 Share #13 Posted August 3, 2007 Might fine with the Diafine. I may just have to take the plunge (again) too! Nice job and very nice shots. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark_goode Posted August 3, 2007 Author Share #14 Posted August 3, 2007 Cheers Peter! Plunge and show us your work! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ron110n Posted August 4, 2007 Share #15 Posted August 4, 2007 Hi Mark, It came out good and I like the grains! I have the Diafine here for a while but haven't diluted it yet. I'll try that next time I push some 35mm and 120. Same, I'll use a cron 35 asph for the 35mm. That's my official B&W lens. Stefan, You are right, the 120 can be a pain to load. I also have to be careful not to load the paper instead of the film. -Ron Caveman's Gallery Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
StS Posted August 4, 2007 Share #16 Posted August 4, 2007 If you haven't tried this yet – can I suggest cutting the strap of the film and round the edges as shown in the image below? Parking the getaway car in front of the police station – I’m sure Edward G. Robinson would have disapproved… I should mention I’m German. However, I'm exposed to 'English English' in my daily work. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
StS Posted August 4, 2007 Share #17 Posted August 4, 2007 You are right, the 120 can be a pain to load. I also have to be careful not to load the paper instead of the film. ... and even with the right end in one needs to get rid of the paper in the end. I would recommend anyone starting to develop 120 film to practice with a spare roll at daylight... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark_goode Posted August 4, 2007 Author Share #18 Posted August 4, 2007 Zerinkelopynom, A good suggestion . . . and practice too is helping. In the latest two rolls I only lost one frame on the end of the reel. That is an improvement. Thanks, Mark Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
fotohuis Posted August 5, 2007 Share #19 Posted August 5, 2007 120 roll film is much wider and therefore it is quicker "leaving" the spiral reel. Therefore not a good idea to round the 120 roll film corners too much. Very important is that your reel is completely dry (local humidity can also be a problem!) and also the thickness, type of film base is playing a role in a quick or less quick loading. NEVER force a film on the reel because you will have always damage on the film. If the film will not load further, retrieve a bit and tick on both sides of the reel and you will see the film will load further. If you have a damaged reel: Do it away, it's not worth the stress and disillusion for a fine negative development. To give you any idea of a smooth 35mm film loading: 30 S. 120 roll film maybe 40 S, 10 S extra to remove the backing paper and find the entrance of the reel in the dark which you can do in advance with 35mm. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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