Home processing film

Ben johns

Ben johns

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Just started taking film photos and I want to process it myself to save money in the long run. I've taken a roll of ilford delta 3200 and hp5 plus 400 pushed to 1600. I was wondering if I can use the same chemicals for both films? Looked up ilfords chemicals and it didn't mention delta 3200 on the one I looked at, only slower film
 
Oh cool cheers, I couldn't find any of those pages. Also as I'm a complete novice the idea of getting the film out of the canister and into the bath/tank in complete darkness is a bit daunting, can I just get a darkroom bulb and switch light bulbs in a normal ceiling fitting when I want to develop?
 
Ben johns said:
Oh cool cheers, I couldn't find any of those pages. Also as I'm a complete novice the idea of getting the film out of the canister and into the bath/tank in complete darkness is a bit daunting, can I just get a darkroom bulb and switch light bulbs in a normal ceiling fitting when I want to develop?
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Darkroom lights are for handling paper. You need complete darkness to handle film. The easiest way is inside a changing bag: http://www.ag-photographic.co.uk/large-changing-bag-342-p.asp

You put the canister + film tank inside and transfer it onto the reel by touch. It's best to practice in the light with a junk roll of film as it can be a nightmare if it goes wrong and you have your hands stuck in the bag! There are plenty of YouTube clips showing you how this is done. It's not as hard as it sounds.
 
The Massive Dev Chart is the best friend of a home developer :) http://www.digitaltruth.com/devchart.php

Ben johns said:
can I just get a darkroom bulb and switch light bulbs in a normal ceiling fitting when I want to develop?
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No, unfortunately not. Getting the film from the canister to the developing tank needs to be done in complete darkness, a red bulb can only be used for paper and with orthochromatic films (which most B&W films arent!).

Your best bet is a normal dark bag like this which is pretty easy to use once you've done it a few times :)
 
Stand developed in Rodinal would seem the obvious route if you want to process both at the same time.
 
Have a read of this which is available in the 'sticky' marked resources near the top of the page.

Also, get yourself a roll of Agfa Vista from your local Poundshop to use as a sacrificial practice roll, it will save you a lot of swearing and potential f**ked films if you have some idea of what youre asking your hands to do when you cant see them.
 
Thanks for all the info :). I don't like waiting for film to be developed, I don't have that much patience
 
Ben johns said:
Thanks for all the info :). I don't like waiting for film to be developed, I don't have that much patience
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The boredom of waiting will soon be overtaken by giddiness when you see your film come out of the developing tank with a load of pictures on!
 
Ben johns said:
Thanks for all the info :). I don't like waiting for film to be developed, I don't have that much patience
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Waiting is part of the fun and the appeal.
 
Can't help with developer suggestions - most of my D & P experience was decades ago - but don't worry about transferring the film to the developing tank and the rest of the process. I was doing this when I was about 10 or 11, in a walk in cupboard at night, with the hall light switched off and a blanket over the inside of the door just in case! I got good results from the first film I developed (I think it was FP3 in Microphen), and I wasn't any sort of child prodigy...just follow the instructions and be methodical.
 
I've always stuck with Kodak d-76 developer which is very similar to ilford id-11. Always had excellent and consistent results using it with a huge variety of different films. I usually use it in a 1+1 ratio at 20 degrees but sometimes a film calls for using it at a stock concentration. (Ilford delta 3200 being a good example)

A changing bag is the easiest way to transfer the film from the canister to the developing tank.
 
Developer wise, I've only used rodinal and D76, but I'll confess to preferring D76 for the most part
 
Ben johns said:
Oh cool cheers, I couldn't find any of those pages. Also as I'm a complete novice the idea of getting the film out of the canister and into the bath/tank in complete darkness is a bit daunting, can I just get a darkroom bulb and switch light bulbs in a normal ceiling fitting when I want to develop?
Click to expand...

Give it a whirl Ben. I pussyfooted around the issue for ages but I've just bitten the bullet and have processed my first couple of rolls of film. There are tons of great tutorials on youtube, don't let the length of them put you off, things move a lot quicker if you're not having to wax lyrical at the same time like youtubers tend to do. I would also suggest a roll of poundland vista to practice loading the reel on. I was very apprehensive, but in all honesty, loading the reel inside the bag is a piece of cake. I practiced outside the bag once and on my first attempt doing it blind I'd got the job done in less than a minute. It's a magical experience, I would suggest it to anyone.
 
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