newbie film developing

Volusian

Volusian

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hi .. Looking at doing my own 35mm negative developing and wondered what kit I would need as a minimum ...
thanks
 
Volusian said:
hi .. Looking at doing my own 35mm negative developing and wondered what kit I would need as a minimum ...
thanks
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There's a pretty good guide in the stickies to get you started - https://www.talkphotography.co.uk/threads/how-to-develop-your-first-b-w-film.276912/

Basically, assuming you don't have a darkroom, you'll need a development tank, a darkbag, a measure, some jugs, a watch, and a thermometer - along with chemicals (developer, fixer, and possibly stop bath). Optionally, some clips to hang up the film to dry, and some sleeves to put the negs in afterwards.
 
I'm assuming you mean b&w film? If so then this is what I would think you need:

  • Development tank with film reel - allows you to pour chemicals in and out of the tank without letting light in.
  • Changing bag - to load the film onto the reel and then into the tank
  • Measuring cylinders - to measure the correct amount of chemicals or water to use
  • Thermometer - to ensure the chemicals are at the right temperature
  • Jugs - to pour chemicals into the tank, and to empty the tank back into
  • Bottles - to store mixed chemicals that are reusable
  • Stopwatch or clock - to measure the time the film is in each chemical
  • Film clips - to hang the film up with
  • Squeegee - some people use them to get the water off their film when it's hung up, but other people hate them.
You can actually buy most of these items in a kit, for single rolls of 35mm film then something like this would be ideal, then you just need a changing bag, some jugs, empty bottles and a stopwatch.

For storage you might like to buy some of these negative pages which help keep them dust/fingerprint/scratch free.

Then you need to get some chemicals. You'll need a developer, stop bath and fixer. I use Ilford Stop Bath and Rapid Fixer for all my B&W films, but my choice of developer depends on the film that I'm developing at the time (D76 for 400 and faster, Rodinal for slower).

This is assuming you mean b&w film and not colour negative, which is a whole different game, although most of the kit is the same.
 
Hi yes b&w for the moment. Once I get to grips with that I will venture hopefully into colour negs ...
 
I think all your needs will be covered by the lists above and good luck, its one of the most satisfying things in photography, beaten only by seeing an actual print appear in a tray of chemicals. When you open the tank and unroll the film and there are actually images on it... wow.... its some sort of wizardry.
I started devving my own b&w last year and moved onto colour within a few months. They are both far easier than I imagined.

Andy
 
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