Dedalus Posted February 16, 2009 Share #1 Posted February 16, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) ...hence I ask... What if I decide not to go the c41 way anymore...what if I decide I want to learn how to develop my own film...what if I want to do that in London. my questions 1) what B&W film 2) where can I learn how to develop 3) what kind of monetary investment are we talking about. Hope you can help me out Dedalus Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted February 16, 2009 Posted February 16, 2009 Hi Dedalus, Take a look here I know nothing.... I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
jpattison Posted February 16, 2009 Share #2 Posted February 16, 2009 If I were in London, I'd go straight around to Silverprint and ask there... Silverprint - Home - News - Photographic Materials and more - Cheers, John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dedalus Posted February 16, 2009 Author Share #3 Posted February 16, 2009 thanks John! I'll give it a try for sure. I have a small room in my house that may be suitable as a darkroom so I was wondering if starting on my own may be too complicated at the beginning. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stunsworth Posted February 16, 2009 Share #4 Posted February 16, 2009 It isn't difficult or expensive - there's a PDF on Ilford's website - see 'processing your first b&w film' on this link... ILFORD PHOTO - Processing a Black & White film It isn't difficult, and most of the 'processing' time is waiting for the film to dry after it's been processed and washed. If you're just processing film you don't need a darkroom, just a changing bag. The photograph in the link gives you an idea of how little equipment is actually needed. For film I'd go for something like Tri-X (ISO 400) or FP4 (ISO 125), both are easily obtainable in the UK and forgiving of exposure and developing. Developers, I'd normally recommend Xtol, but as that arrives as a powder, and you'd be starting developing for the first time, a liquid may be more convenient. Something like Patterson FX39 would be a good place to start - I've never used it, but it comes highly recommended. Hope that helps. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dedalus Posted February 16, 2009 Author Share #5 Posted February 16, 2009 Thanks so much! that is enough to keep me busy for a while i suppose. So far I have been using XP2 400, I'm curious to see what difference there is with the Tri-X. thanks again. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ndjambrose Posted February 16, 2009 Share #6 Posted February 16, 2009 You don't need a darkroom to develop film. The basics are nothing more than this: - a light-tight changing bag to remove film from camera - can-opener for opening film canister - scissors for trimming film leader - a developing tank - a reel to hold the film - a thermometer to check water temperature - a graduated jug for measuring chemicals - 3 plastic bottles for storing mixed chemicals; and your chemicals - developer - fixer - stop bath - wetting agent - rubber glovers and wooden spoon for mixing It's a remarkably straightforward process. You can do it in the kitchen or bathroom in daylight and it will take around 20 minutes to process and wash your film, plus about 30 mins drying time. All you need to do is be able to follow written instructions. There's only one part of the process that's unquantified in time, and that's getting the film onto the developing reel. It's difficult the first time and may take several attempts. After you've done a few films it gets very easy. The rest of the process runs to a fixed schedule as you develop and fix for a set time according to film and developer combination. You can get supplies here: Silverprint - Home - News - Photographic Materials and more - You can get instructions here: Develop b/w film at home 1 (Photography Tutorials) · street photography New York in black and white : urban views · New York photographs by Markus Hartel Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
semrich Posted February 16, 2009 Share #7 Posted February 16, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) You will find in only a short period of time after you are doing your own developing how glad you are to have started and why you waited so long. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenneth Posted February 16, 2009 Share #8 Posted February 16, 2009 This company is Durst UK and they always have good quality enlargers and accessories available- speak to Terry at Welcome to Northern Photo Electronic Services as far as the other bits and pieces are concerned Paul seems to offer very fair prices, often on s/hand stuff contact him on Second-hand Darkrooms Supplies and another forum specialising in film development and printing is found at Film and Darkroom User - Powered by vBulletin Best of luck. I have just re started processing after a lay off of 25 years and it is about as much fun as you can have with the lights off Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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