B&W film developing

TareqPhoto · Feb 9, 2010

Hi again,

As i am new in film photography, i would like to ask this simple question: What chemicals do i need for developing B&W film?
Just give me the type of chemicals that are used in all the steps until the developing is done, the name [or the process method] i can try to check myself, but as i new i don't know what chemicals i need to develop one film.

Ian Grant · Feb 9, 2010

Have a good read of the Dead Link Removed, it gives all the details you need. It's well written and easy to comprehend.

Ian

Athiril · Feb 9, 2010

Developer.
Fixer.

markbarendt · Feb 9, 2010

The steps are basically the same. Develop, stop, fix, wash, spot free rinse.

Here is one of Ilford's "instruction sheets". http://ilfordphoto.com/Webfiles/20061301939551456.pdf

TareqPhoto · Feb 9, 2010

WOW, that is a big help, thank you very much for the answers!!!

dancqu · Feb 9, 2010

In Other Words

Athiril said:
Developer. Fixer.

Metol +sodium sulfite and sodium thiosulfate.
I find for a last rinse a little Photo-Flo
a good item to have. Dan

Anscojohn · Feb 9, 2010

TareqPhoto said:
Hi again,

As i am new in film photography, i would like to ask this simple question: What chemicals do i need for developing B&W film?
Just give me the type of chemicals that are used in all the steps until the developing is done, the name [or the process method] i can try to check myself, but as i new i don't know what chemicals i need to develop one film.

*******
Welcome, from near Washington, DC. You shall find much good information here.

TareqPhoto · Feb 9, 2010

So with a developer, fixer and wash i can develop the B&W film?
Today very soon i will go to our Photography club as i like to go there, they have a room which is called" Darkroom" and they use it as a small kitchen because no one develop film there at all, but i checked last time and i see that they have some chemicals i think for one of my friend who is shooting film and don't develop himself, so i will check what those chemicals are and see if they are enough for B&W or even color film.
Later i will check what accessories i need to do developing myself as i don't want to do mistakes from beginning, and sure any help from anyone will be so appreciated. [Good that in this photog. club, a service boy is my friend who likes to help me in many things there, he was the first one i shoot him with a studio lighting and he helping me to place lights where i want for still life table shooting and so, i will use him to help me in developing and he is smart enough so he may develop my film in the future for me without i go to do it myself].

TareqPhoto · Feb 9, 2010

dancqu said:
Metol +sodium sulfite and sodium thiosulfate.
I find for a last rinse a little Photo-Flo
a good item to have. Dan

what are those liquids or chemicals consist of i will check that later, chemistry is a lovely subject and i like it even i didn't study chemistry good enough.

TareqPhoto · Feb 9, 2010

Anscojohn said:
*******
Welcome, from near Washington, DC. You shall find much good information here.

Thanks!
Yes, i saw that already, i think i will have fun here and i can't wait to shoot, develop[later], and scan film.

TareqPhoto · Feb 9, 2010

I found a Tetenal C-41 kit which consist of a color developer, bleach/fix, and formaldehyde-free stabilizer, is it good enough to start with?

fotch · Feb 9, 2010

I would recommend you start with B&W film/chemicals first. Also, make sure any chemicals in the darkroom are freshly mixed or still in the package ready to be mixed.

TareqPhoto · Feb 9, 2010

fotch said:
I would recommend you start with B&W film/chemicals first. Also, make sure any chemicals in the darkroom are freshly mixed or still in the package ready to be mixed.

I don't know what you mean by that :confused:

michaelbsc · Feb 9, 2010

TareqPhoto said:
I don't know what you mean by that :confused:

Some chemicals as supplied as powders that must be mixed with water. Others are supplied as liquids that must be diluted with water.

Most liquids have a shorter shelf life (<24 months unopened usually [1]) than the powders (years). Since you said they were using the dark room as a kitchen and no one develops film, it is likely that the liquid chemicals are expired.

========
[1] Back! BACK! all you Rodinal creatures.

TareqPhoto · Feb 9, 2010

michaelbsc said:
Some chemicals as supplied as powders that must be mixed with water. Others are supplied as liquids that must be diluted with water.

Most liquids have a shorter shelf life (<24 months unopened usually [1]) than the powders (years). Since you said they were using the dark room as a kitchen and no one develops film, it is likely that the liquid chemicals are expired.

========
[1] Back! BACK! all you Rodinal creatures.

Yes, the liquids chemicals there are expired, so that means it is useless? Good you told me that, so i will be sure to buy chemicals just before i develop some films, not worthy or no point to buy chemicals and use it one or 2 times and then through it within 1 year or so.

Anscojohn · Feb 9, 2010

TareqPhoto said:
Thanks!
Yes, i saw that already, i think i will have fun here and i can't wait to shoot, develop[later], and scan film.

***************
The key is to HAVE FUN!!

In addition to the chemicals (film developer, film fixer) you shall need some kind of reel and tank system during the processing. The Ilford site explains it all.

TareqPhoto · Feb 9, 2010

Anscojohn said:
***************
The key is to HAVE FUN!!

In addition to the chemicals (film developer, film fixer) you shall need some kind of reel and tank system during the processing. The Ilford site explains it all.

Yes, thank you!!!

tkamiya · Feb 9, 2010

You are welcome to ask questions but if I may suggest....

It may be better to pick up an old photography book and read about the processing of film first. It will give you a far better overall grasp of the entire process than asking questions and getting bits and pieces of disjointed information. Many photography book printed before 1980 should have sufficient information to get you started.

Based on your questions, I think you are entirely new to film. In that case, some base knowledge with pictures and drawings might help a lot.

Good luck.

JBrunner · Feb 9, 2010

A C-41 kit isn't really a good place to start. It's for color neg, not B&W. Just get some off the shelf B&W developer- HC110, Rodinal, D-76, ID-11, etc., some fixer, wetting agent, tank, thermometer, kitty litter tray, and have at it. There is a link to some videos in my sig that show how I do 120, but it translates easily to 35.

TareqPhoto · Feb 9, 2010

tkamiya said:
You are welcome to ask questions but if I may suggest....

It may be better to pick up an old photography book and read about the processing of film first. It will give you a far better overall grasp of the entire process than asking questions and getting bits and pieces of disjointed information. Many photography book printed before 1980 should have sufficient information to get you started.

Based on your questions, I think you are entirely new to film. In that case, some base knowledge with pictures and drawings might help a lot.

Good luck.

Yes, i am completely new to film world, and i asked a lot of question for that reason, and yes, i want to have a book but i need to order it online and take days to get it and then to read it all, it will take ages, and my English is not that good enough, so i ask questions for what i need rather than read that 1/4-1/3 of the book and get bored to read it all and still ask questions.

Thanks!

Rick A · Feb 9, 2010

I think its a good idea for you to watch JBrunners videos on developing film. Also check the Ilford site for more info specific to their chems. Find several good books on film photography. Ask many questions here at APUG.

Rick

fotch · Feb 9, 2010

TareqPhoto said:
I don't know what you mean by that :confused:

Well, you said "What chemicals do i need for developing B&W film?" and then asked about using color chemicals. You use C41 for color film, and B&W chemicals for B&W.

Jim Taylor · Feb 9, 2010

Hello and welcome! Already lots of people have given some really good advice, but I'll add my piece anyway! The most important thing is make sure you take things slowly, and understand why you're doing what you're doing at each stage. Don't be disappointed if things don't work out first time. It's amazing how quickly you learn and improve. Also... it's a really addictive hobby, so make sure you're prepared for the fact that you could end up getting into this in a big way!

A good book is a great start, and there are loads out there. Try a local library and see if there's anything (a lot of books related to analog photography are sold off very cheaply from libraries wanting to clear old stock).

Above all, make sure you have fun!!

Jim.

TareqPhoto · Feb 9, 2010

fotch said:
Well, you said "What chemicals do i need for developing B&W film?" and then asked about using color chemicals. You use C41 for color film, and B&W chemicals for B&W.

Sorry, i didn't know that it is for color, and i think i misunderstood what is written in the website from reviews maybe that this chemicals [C-41] is used for color and B&W.

TareqPhoto · Feb 9, 2010

jimbop said:
Hello and welcome! Already lots of people have given some really good advice, but I'll add my piece anyway! The most important thing is make sure you take things slowly, and understand why you're doing what you're doing at each stage. Don't be disappointed if things don't work out first time. It's amazing how quickly you learn and improve. Also... it's a really addictive hobby, so make sure you're prepared for the fact that you could end up getting into this in a big way!

A good book is a great start, and there are loads out there. Try a local library and see if there's anything (a lot of books related to analog photography are sold off very cheaply from libraries wanting to clear old stock).

Above all, make sure you have fun!!

Jim.

Thanks Jim,

I will check local libraries even i feel it is lacking of many photography books, and i may not find what i look for but i will give it a try, and i said on another thread that reading books is not so interesting for long time when it is in another than my main mother language and i get bored quickly if i don't understand a lot of things and keep repeating and use dictionaries and translations and so, all that long time i will be away from shooting and so, that if i will have all that time to complete one book reading.
Yes, i didn't shoot one roll yet until i be ready with enough information to start it, if i do something wrong in the beginning without give a time before to read and listen and watch and mostly to ask questions for answers then it is my fault, they never give me a driving license until i go learn a lot how to drive and no place to big mistakes, then i get the driving license, it will be completely my fault if i load or unload my film in strong light for example and after pro developing i ask what is wrong, so i should be ready before i shoot one roll, mistake could happen but if i was a bit ready then i can minimize the mistakes to very low levels.

B&W film developing

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