| RichardSibley |
| (AP Technical Writer) |
| 19/09/2007 17:13 |
Re: Rookie Questions
|
Quote:
I'm guessing: dark place to put film into a reel/developing tank, said reel and tank, chemicals, water, thermometer, clips to hang up film when developed?
I used everything you mentioned and a changing bag for years. You can reuse the diluted chemicals a few times too. Make sure you don't use the diluted dev more than a few times, and add an extra few seconds to the development times accordingly.
It may not give you the results of a pro lab, but it cuts down on the amount of chemicals you have to buy. make sure you store them in an airtight (preferably air free container) in a cool dark place.
Quote:
2) Is the water/chemical temperature really important?
Yes and no. If you are a degree of two either way you will still have a usable film (if you have exposed corectly). If you go any more than that your film will be useless. Get the water to the correct temperature in a different container first, before adding the undiluted developer.
I always used to use the stop bath and fix at room temperature. Unless you live in a particularly hot or cold room it will be fine. Dramatic and sudden temperature changes prior to fully fixing can cause a kind of 'clumping' of the grain and other weird crackling effects.
Quote:
3) How many films will it probably take before I get it right? (because if I get it wrong, the pics will be next to unuseable, right?)
Depends how wrong you get it. I think we've all fogged a film or two by accident. But generally after a couple of films you know what your doing... particularly if you tend to shoot on the same film. After a while you'll develop a feel for it and can adjust development times for your own particular needs .