Film Developing - tips

[Northenlad60]

Hi,

Sorry to post such a dumb question, but me and the fife have got a little fed up of the digital camera and are going back to our traditional Konica film camera.
The dilema we have is we ant to develop our own films, and maybe pull them onto the PC via a 35mm scanner. This is so we don't run the high costs that are being charged to develop films at the usual outlets. We wanted to do this because it will take a while to go back to the manual focus, manual zoom, (well, manual everything) as we got so used to the digital camera that we have forgotten how to use the camera correctly *how embarrassing*.
We want to develop our films at home and wondered if there were any small part time courses around that would go through the basics of doing this, or is someone can give very basic tips on how to go about developing the films ourselves.

Does anyone have any tips?

[Roy5051]

Have a look at this on UTube, it's a short video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vu0Ul_wsYO8 for B&W or

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

[Zou]

This is what I used when I started. Nice and clear.

Good luck, I'm sure you will enjoy the switch!

[Wheelu]

Assuming you are talking about B&W processing, the Ilford site mentioned by Zou is very informative and tells you all you need to know about the process. In any event I would recommend that you master B&W processing before moving on to colour.

I suggest that you look out for a developing tank and other kit on Ebay, they often come up and there's nothing much to go wrong. Visit Wilkinsons for a filter funnel and useful measuring jug and Argos for an easy to read digital timer. You should try to buy a couple of reasonably accurate measuring cylinders (called graduates for some reason these days) and a good thermometer.

For starters a liquid concentrate developer such as Ilford's DD-X might be a good choice. You can move on to powder developers later and maybe brew your own in good time. Finally old technology films, such as my favourite FP4, are more tolerant of mistakes than the finer grained more modern emulsions.

Best of luck, it's great fun!

[PeteE]

Why not contact you local Camera Club/Photographic Society - I bet they have some processing kit there FREE for any takers,for example at Brentwood Photo Club there are developing tanks, safelight, Kaiser colour enlarger with lenses,changing bag all in the loft that were not sold during the Club annual auction and I have been given many tanks, timers, thermometers, Durst enlarger etc all FREE !

[topoxforddoc]

Another vote for the Ilford site. Also buy a copy of Michael Langford's Darkroom Handbook (some here for £0.02p!!)
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Darkroom-Handboo...5985&sr=8-1
Just use one film and one developer for at least 6 months and then experiment. Everyone has their own personal favourites. For me, it's Ilford HP5 film and Kodak XTOL developer.
Good luck!