I want to start developing my own B&W films.

I'm not looking for a full dark room setup but just to load the film in a changing bag, set of tanks and chemicals etc...

People with experiance, what would you recommend to get me started?

What developers/fixers etc.. would be the easiest to use but give good results with T Max film?

Mike

Hi Mike, T Max developer has given me the best results with that particular emulsion. Though i've used D-76 also, it doesnt give as good of a result as when i used T MAX. (A flatter negative, less contrast)

If you ever do shoot with Tri-X, D -76 is the way to go.

(i won't go into microdol x, and x- tol since it's impossible to source here)

There are a lot of other developers that you can actually mix yourself to get desired results though it's hard to source chemicals in small quantities over here.

Stop bath indicator is very important as it tells you if all the developer has been washed off your film, then a non hardening fixer and photo flo after your final wash

I hope Edwin at Kodak can source these for you.

Glad to know film is still alive and well! Hope this helps!

Thanks Toto. I have seen the T Max developing all in one kits. I had assumed that this would give the best results with T Max.

I was looking for information on what sort of hardware I could use to do this as simply as possible e.g. Jobo 1500 daylight processing tank.

What got me interested in doing this was an article I read on Diafine developer.

Mike

Toto,

Have you tried Fotofabrik's home brew Rodinal. It works. :)

BTW, there are still some store at Hidalgo that sells Microdol-X; produces great negs even on T-max.

No, i've never tried it, the reason I've stuck with D-76 for all these years is because I mainly shoot with Tri X Pro and have gotten great results (for me anyway) with that combination. Though I used to use Rodinal when it was still available, it's a great developer too. Ya! Jay Javier mixes his own Rodinal! His studio is right by mine and have spoken to him a lot of times regarding his "home brew"

I also used to use accufine (have a few cans here still) which develops Tri X exposed at 1000 ISO with great results!

Mike, as far as hardware goes, all you need is a reel, a developing tank, and a film changing bag. the jobo may be overkill, though it is a nice thing to have when you start to process large quantities.

No, i've never tried it, the reason I've stuck with D-76 for all these years is because I mainly shoot with Tri X Pro and have gotten great results (for me anyway) with that combination.

Good for you. Seems you develop films often. For me, D-76 is a bit difficult to manage as the PH change is a bit substantial for me to control [I don't develop film as much anymore].

I also used to use accufine (have a few cans here still) which develops Tri X exposed at 1000 ISO with great results!

This is the one with two solutions, right? Interested in disposing a set? :)

Since the chemicals have been mentioned already, dont forget to get a good thermometer (particularly for darkroom purposes) and if possible a cabinet to dry the film at (or a dust free space) You will also need photo flo to use before drying the film so that you don't get any dust specs drying on the emulsion. I have used TMAX developer and d76. They are both good but stick with the TMAX developer for TMAX film. Do keep us postd when you are all set up. Need someone to develop my film :D
Will you be processing 135 and 120's?
For the changing bag, get a big one so that you can fit lots of film inside plus the scissors the spool and the canister.

Since the chemicals have been mentioned already, dont forget to get a good thermometer (particularly for darkroom purposes) and if possible a cabinet to dry the film at (or a dust free space) You will also need photo flo to use before drying the film so that you don't get any dust specs drying on the emulsion. I have used TMAX developer and d76. They are both good but stick with the TMAX developer for TMAX film. Do keep us postd when you are all set up. Need someone to develop my film :D
Will you be processing 135 and 120's?
For the changing bag, get a big one so that you can fit lots of film inside plus the scissors the spool and the canister.

Thanks for the information. I'll see what I can lay my hands on after Christmas.

I purchased 80 rolls of 120 T Max 100/400 and I was thinking it would be more economical to develop it myself, not to mention the learning experiance!

I'm trying to keep away from 35mm film, but an old 60/70's rangefinder is calling!! not sure if I'll be able to resist the temptation of a mint Rollie 35SE though. However it means stocking up on another type of film!! I don't think my wife is going to be too happy with me when I get home:( and she's going to loose a large space in the freezer:)

Mike

Does anybody here have any experiance with Diafine? and if so with T Max films?

Mike

I managed to get a basic kit in Singapore. Decided to use HC110 as the developer.

If anybody else is coming through Singapore look for Ruby photo (Funan area) they stock all Ilford film/developers/papers plus a good range of Kodak/Fuji films.

Mike

or you could sell that rollei to a 35mm shooter :D
Like me :D
At least you know it'll be put to great use :)

or you could sell that rollei to a 35mm shooter :D
Like me
At least you know it'll be put to great use :)

Ha ha ha ha

I decided not to buy the Rollei 35S but bought a Seagull instead and now I'm looking for a Mamiya 6.

I decided to stick with the 6x6 format, the negatives are so much better than the small format 35mm:D :D

Mike

Ha ha ha ha

I decided not to buy the Rollei 35S but bought a Seagull instead and now I'm looking for a Mamiya 6.

I decided to stick with the 6x6 format, the negatives are so much better than the small format 35mm:D :D

Mike

Try shooting slides man! You'll never use negatives again. :D

Try shooting slides man! You'll never use negatives again. :D

Slides are OK, it dosen't blow me away. B&W however does!

about 90 rolls in the fridge and another 40 on the way!

Mike

mike.. how about black and white trannies :d hehehehe

It's possible............

but now I think it's rare that people do this

http://home.snafu.de/jens.osbahr/photography/reversal_processing/osbahr_reversal.pdf

Mike

Slides are OK, it dosen't blow me away. B&W however does!

about 90 rolls in the fridge and another 40 on the way!

Mike

Yeah B&W rocks! So how's the Ilford Delta 400?

Yeah B&W rocks! So how's the Ilford Delta 400?

The Delta is good but prefer the T Max. I also got some XP2 before I left (managed to fill every available space in my baggage with film :Grin: ). I prefer the XP2 to the Delta but when I scan it produces a red colour cast that I have to correct.

Mike

mike, what processing tank did you get? how's the self-developing? what was that tank you suggested for me to get in another thread? (couldn't find it)