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Ok, so I've been reading up on how to develop and I understand the basic principals of the process.

(i've not looked into times required, what chemicals to buy etc etc)

but my main question is, how much money (if any) do you save by developing your own rolls of film?

I'd like to give devloping a go, but I'm quite happy to send the bulk of my film off for development if it works out cheaper for someone else to do it...
 
Depends on a number of factors, where you send them, colour or b&w, chemicals, scanning etc.

The cost of getting traditional b&w films done in a lab seems to be massive and given its fairly simple to do your self, on a purely financial transaction its pretty simple. The cost of a few films at a lab will pay for most of the gear to do at home.

Colour is a whole other game and tbh as long as your happy with the quality from Asda its cheaper to get them to do it even just on the price of the chemicals.
 
I posted some rough figures about this sometime ago - the initial cost is obviously a bit higher, due to the purchase of tank/chems/changing bag and stuff, but it works out far cheaper, faster and you can develop as you see fit, with a developer that suits your film - not a developer that suits the lab.
 
Even if you're a complete noob like me, the initial outlay of around £20 is soon recuperated after 2 films. My local places charge £15/roll for black and white developing. Plus it's quite fun :) Just be prepared to ruin a few films.
 
Ash. said:
Ok, so I've been reading up on how to develop and I understand the basic principals of the process.

(i've not looked into times required, what chemicals to buy etc etc)

but my main question is, how much money (if any) do you save by developing your own rolls of film?

I'd like to give devloping a go, but I'm quite happy to send the bulk of my film off for development if it works out cheaper for someone else to do it...
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I'm sure they have some giant boot sales in Bedfordshire, I've seen plenty of dev tanks going for 50p or £1...problem is you don't see them every week (or month) so you would have to be a boot sale addict.
 
ok thanks guys. some promising feedback.

It's something I want to get into. I'm in no rush to go out and get started, but just wanted to get a little more knowledge on it.

I'm glad to hear it's worth while.

I shoot mostly B&W. I've been using snaps in Bournemouth who offer a great service I must say, but I was just wondering if I could do it myself for less (they charge £3.99 per roll of B&W for dev [no scan or prints] plus postage) which is a reasonable charge IMO, but as I say, if it's cheaper to do it myself I'll give it a go!

I've also a fair bit of colour and slide (over 50 rolls combined) in fact. but I probably wouldn't attempt that until I feel comfortable doing so.

Brian, yeah there are plenty of boot sales, many not too far, I guess next time I'm back home it'll be worth checking them out, so thanks for the tip on that.


Another thing I don't really understand although I've looked into it is what chemicals to use? there just seems to be such a large choice that I wouldn't know where to start. It's such a different world from just shooting! As I say, I'm not rushing to get started, but any info would be great. I've been reading the stickied threads on developing too, some very useful comments there.
 
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I bought a full kit list for b&w developing from one seller on eBay for £40 which included;

16" changing bag (bit small but enough)
Paterson Super System 4 Tank with 2 reels
Thermometer
Film canister opener
4 x 500ml cylinders
Negative squeegee
4 x hanging clips
Brand new Ilford ID11 developer
Brand new Ilford Rapid Fix

I also bought a bottle of ilfostop separately for £10 but impatience got the better of me and I dev'd my first film yesterday using water/vinegar as a stop bath! Luckily I know someone who works in a camera shop so they're scanning the negatives for me so I don't need to factor that cost in but even if I had to, saving £10-15 per roll in development means I break even after 3-4 rolls. I'm planning on shooting a roll a month as a 'Film-12' (I shot a digital 366 last year so wanted a change) so should recoup my initial costs quite quickly. Also, it is a buzz seeing the negatives once developed and actually having images on them! :0)

Cheers
Steve
 
It doesn't have to cost a fortune to set yourself up with dev kit and without doubt it quickly pays for itself over what you would be paying out to labs and ( for me anyway), it's good fun albiet a little time consuming.

You can be very lucky in picking up 2nd hand gear too ...be careful with dev tanks though as although they may appear in decent nick with no cracks etc, it only takes hairline fractures or ill fitting tops to render them not light tight and thus useless.
 
Thanks for the help steve. I'll check eBay out!

And Asha, another bit of useful advice that's much appreciated re the hair-line cracks.
 
Ash. said:
Ok, so I've been reading up on how to develop and I understand the basic principals of the process.

(i've not looked into times required, what chemicals to buy etc etc)

but my main question is, how much money (if any) do you save by developing your own rolls of film?

I'd like to give devloping a go, but I'm quite happy to send the bulk of my film off for development if it works out cheaper for someone else to do it...
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With that sort of attitude I would not bother developing your own film.Just send it off.:thumbs:
 
Ashley, I'd say give it a go. I know there is an initial outlay but I picked most of my kit up cheap and second hand. The convenience and the fun in my view make it worth while. The fact that over time it is a lot cheaper than sending off B&W for processing is just an added bonus.
 
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Thanks Adrian. I think I'll certainly give it a go at some point.

My only real doubt was that it wouldn't be worth my time if it'd cost the same to send it off. After some informative posts in the thread, it's cleared up a lot of questions regarding cost!

@ Kestral, I don't have a 'lazy' attitude if that's what you're implying. Money is something I have little of being at university, so if i can reduce costs my developing myself, I'm happy to do so :)
 
I think a lot of Universities still have darkrooms, it would be worth your while asking at yours. Then you could give it a go without laying out for all the gear.
 
Even if they don't have a darkroom, they may have some gear in storage that could be of use. Contact your university PhotoSoc - they vary massively, everything from looking like a meeting of Talk Equipment (i.e. a whole gaggle of DSLR users) to well stocked darkrooms and lots of film shooters with some photo societies.

Developing B&W at home is easier, faster, cheaper. More control, more satisfying, and a very straightforward set of steps. And, with countless internet resources at your disposal, and timer/film development apps for iPhone/Android, it's easier than ever before to develop.
 
I have been looking into this too, it seems a few of you dudes on here are so i thought i'd join the party.

Can anyone recommend a full starting kit with everything you need? Or have one for sale? also chemicals for HP5?

Next question: How many times do you re-use the chemicals? what do you dilute with, just water? once you've had the developer in for whatever time, how do you pour it efficiently back into whatever container? how many times can you re-use? bit confused as to the nitty gritty part of developing, but never the less i am excited to actually do it all myself, just wanna eliminate the chance of ruining precious film!

Thanks!
 
RaglanSurf said:
I think a lot of Universities still have darkrooms, it would be worth your while asking at yours. Then you could give it a go without laying out for all the gear.
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freecom2 said:
Even if they don't have a darkroom, they may have some gear in storage that could be of use. Contact your university PhotoSoc - they vary massively, everything from looking like a meeting of Talk Equipment (i.e. a whole gaggle of DSLR users) to well stocked darkrooms and lots of film shooters with some photo societies.

Developing B&W at home is easier, faster, cheaper. More control, more satisfying, and a very straightforward set of steps. And, with countless internet resources at your disposal, and timer/film development apps for iPhone/Android, it's easier than ever before to develop.
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That's true re: my university! never even thought about it.

I don't study photography, but still, I'll enquire anyway, the worst they can do is say no I guess.

Will hopefully be able to get some good advice from the lecturers too. very useful tip there guys, thanks :)
 
Ash, are you at uni in Manchester?
 
Ash. said:
Yeah, I am Rob. How come?
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I do the darkroom training for the university photography society, membership (£5 for the semester) of the society gets you free developing chemicals and training at the uni darkroom.
 
robhooley167 said:
I do the darkroom training for the university photography society
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Labs.firepaper.jpg


:wave:
 
robhooley167 said:
I do the darkroom training for the university photography society, membership (£5 for the semester) of the society gets you free developing chemicals and training at the uni darkroom.
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wow. that sounds quality

this is my final year, but I'd still like to get involved in it this and next semester. where / how can I sign up etc?

Thanks rob!
 
Ash. said:
wow. that sounds quality

this is my final year, but I'd still like to get involved in it this and next semester. where / how can I sign up etc?

Thanks rob!
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I'll pm you the details about it :)
 
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