Processing film, what kit?

sirch

Lu-Tze
Admin
Messages
105,684
Name
The other Chris
Edit My Images
Yes
So it seems that what goes around, comes around. About 20 years ago I got rid of my film processing gear because it really wasn't getting used and the future was digital. I now find myself with a bit of a hankering to may be do some processing again. I'm not looking for anything fancy because I can't see me doing a lot of film shooting, I guess I mainly need a tank and a negative scanner along with bottles, thermometer etc. in fact I might just bin the chemicals after one use because of the small quantity I will probably be doing.

IIRC I had a Paterson tank but a quick google shows some fairly cheap kits, e.g.
http://r.ebay.com/oBYFsr
I know, I know ... you get what you pay for etc but has anyone used something like this and are they any use?

Also negative scanning is something I know nothing about, what are the options, again google suggests some people use a DSLR with an attachment for scanning rather than a dedicated slide scanner. Given low volumes is this an option or a complete non-starter, are there any good <£100 scanners (that also maybe do slides)?
 
Last edited:
That's an AP tank in the eBay kit, Chris - I found their lids a bit of a pain & prefer a Paterson.
 
Last edited:
Thanks all for the quick responses, looks like it's going to be a Paterson tank then (y). Are all the bags similar? Any thoughts on neg scanning?
 
Personally, I'd go for a second hand Epson V500.

Will do 135, 120 and slides.

Should easily get one under £100
 
I recently bought a V550 for £167 as there were no decent V500s available in the usual places.
 
It seems there are not many V500's around, I'll have to see what comes up
 
Just a personal thing but I prefer Jobo tanks and reels, for me their reels are much easier to use.
 
Drums. Patterson or jobo.
Developer. Rodinal, HC110 and Diafine last almost forever.
Stop. Not really needed unless you youdo short devtimes.
Fix. Any rapidfix
Beakers. Plenty, household will do just mark them as for chemistry and keep them seperated from your Kitchen stuer.
Pipettes or syringes for the HC110 and/or rodinal stock/syrup
Bottles for fix and Maybe the Diafine.
A drying rack and clips/clamps
Scanner?????? Just go with an opemus 5:)
Multigrade filters
Paper dev
Trays
 
Back
Top