Which chemicals to buy + Negative Scanner

N

NiPZ

Suspended / Banned
Messages
10
Name
Tim
Edit My Images
Yes
Hi all!

I've been shooting with my Lomography Fisheye for a little while and love the pictures it gives but getting the film developed is costing me a fortune!

I was told by a friend that it would be a lot cheaper to do it all myself and get a negative scanner since I mostly end up scanning the images to my mac and posting them on Flickr.

So was wondering if anyone could help me out! Would be much appreciated!

- Tim
 
The chemicals are developer to suit the film, stop bath and fixer. A wetting agent is useful for the final rinse too.

You'll also need a developing tank, a changing bag to load it, a thermometer, a timer or stopwatch, some clips to hold the film while it dries, a squeegee to remove the excess water from rinsing and a negative cutter.
 
Islander said:
The chemicals are developer to suit the film, stop bath and fixer. A wetting agent is useful for the final rinse too.

You'll also need a developing tank, a changing bag to load it, a thermometer, a timer or stopwatch, some clips to hold the film while it dries, a squeegee to remove the excess water from rinsing and a negative cutter.
Click to expand...

Wow that's more than I expected! :lol:

I am going to be using some expired FUJIFILM Superia ISO 100 35mm.

Where would be the best place to get all this from as well?
 
I haven't a clue these days lol :)

Try your local camera shop for a start, evilbay might have some stuff on offer and there used to be community darkrooms that had all of the equipment that you could hire.
 
Islander said:
I haven't a clue these days lol :)

Try your local camera shop for a start, evilbay might have some stuff on offer and there used to be community darkrooms that had all of the equipment that you could hire.
Click to expand...

Okay thanks!

But what determines that types of chemical needed for each type of film?
 
There are different developers for different film types and also different processes for B&W colour, and colour slide film.

I didn't realise you were looking into developing colour by the way - my initial response was for B&W developing. You'll need a C41 developer kit for that and much tighter temperature control.

ETA

That sounds a bit offputting - it's actually not that difficult to do and is very satisfying too. Colour processes run at a higher temperature than B&W but that's not hard to manage - waterbaths to stand the chemicals and tank in and maintain temperature are one way of doing it. You also have to be a bit more careful with the final rinse using warm water and gradually cooling to cold to avoid damaging the emulsion.
 
Last edited:
Islander said:
There are different developers for different film types and also different processes for B&W colour, and colour slide film.

I didn't realise you were looking into developing colour by the way - my initial response was for B&W developing. You'll need a C41 developer kit for that and much tighter temperature control.
Click to expand...

Hmm this isn't making much sense to me sorry:thinking:

Is there anywhere I can read up on the basics really need a step-by-step guide or something :D
 
Islander said:
Try your library for books - it honestly isn't that difficult to do if you take a bit of care.

This explains how the C41 process works:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C-41_process

Here's a video tutorial

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aB8qXU7dkNk

Here's one on loading the film onto the tank spiral - that's something that has to be done by touch in absolute darkness (a large changing bag does the job)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsHar2_81s4

Google around - there's loads of stuff out there :)
Click to expand...

Thanks! That looks like it will keep me going!:thumbs:
 
NiPZ said:
Hmm this isn't making much sense to me sorry:thinking:

Is there anywhere I can read up on the basics really need a step-by-step guide or something :D
Click to expand...

I think that Islander was giving you a very subtle hint to learn to walk before running! :D

I'm in a similar situation to you, and am just learning how to approach self developing, but I'm going to spend quite a while on BW before even looking at attempting colour. There's a wealth of information in the film forum if you dig through the threads.
 
DemiLion said:
I think that Islander was giving you a very subtle hint to learn to walk before running! :D

I'm in a similar situation to you, and am just learning how to approach self developing, but I'm going to spend quite a while on BW before even looking at attempting colour. There's a wealth of information in the film forum if you dig through the threads.
Click to expand...

haha sorry I didn't realize there was a difference between the two :thinking: will have a read through the film section like you say!
 
I was also thinking; do places such as Jessops or Boots only develop film and not print photo's for a cheaper price?

Because that would be ideal until I can get my head around all of this!
 
Oh - and by the way - you'll need E-6 chemicals for straight processing of slide film, C-41 chemicals are for straight processing of colour negative film. Once you have both sets of chemicals and have worked out how to use them, then you can start getting adventurous, and play with cross processing - processing colour negative in slide chemiistry, or slide film in negative chemistry.

If it all sounds a bit complicated, start with black and white, read the Ilford PDF, get the chemicals for Black and White, and the hardware, shoot 5-10 rolls and get your head round that first.

Then get a C41 kit, and try that - the 1 litre kits will process maybe a dozen films before they're depleted - so run the first 7-8 films through it as C41 films, and get colour negs. As the kit's more and more worn out, and less likely to give sensible colour, use it up with cross processing - processing slide film in C41 chemicals.

Then repeat the colour neg attempt using a E6 kit. Again, as the chemicals get a bit messed up, try using them for cross-processing colour negative films.

By the end of this you'll have a decent idea of how to process pretty much any film. You'll also have a fairly empty wallet, and a large amount of nasty chemicals to get rid of!

Oh - and if you need advice on the technical side, then feel free to ask in Talk Film and Conventional
 
NiPZ said:
I was also thinking; do places such as or Boots only develop film and not print photo's for a cheaper price?

Because that would be ideal until I can get my head around all of this!
Click to expand...

Yup. There's a six page thread about it on the first page of the film forum called Cheap Processing.
 
Aaaaaand Ilford XP2 B&W film that needs C41 processing... :lol:

Then there's traditional photo printing and processing... :D

A quick gander at their site shows that Jessops stock the hardware for processing - no idea how their prices compare though.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top