Good book for learning to develop film?

guitarsammy · Feb 1, 2017

I am a long-time digital photographer, now beginning to shoot some film. I'd like to save some costs/gain some control by developing my negatives at home rather than paying a lab to do it.

Can anyone recommend a good book for a beginner to learn how to develop film? My wishlist is as follows:

- The plan would be to develop the negatives (both 35mm and medium format 6x7) and scan rather than print using an enlarger. So, I'd be looking for a book that goes into particular detail on the process of developing negatives;
- At present, I'm only really interested in developing B&W, although perhaps might look at C41 colour in the future. It'd be good to get a book that covers both;
- I guess a reasonably new book would be ideal, as I understand a lot of the older chemicals/films are no longer sold.

Does such a book exist?

darkosaric · Feb 1, 2017

Welcome to APUG !
I know many will recommend different books (like books from A. Adams), but my recommendation would be to find some APUGer who lives near by (where in UK are you located?) - and you do couple of negative developing together. It is actually pretty easy to do it, but it takes some practice. Time and patience, and don't give up when you get not perfect results in a start.

guitarsammy · Feb 1, 2017

Thanks! That does sound like a good idea. I'm near Newcastle upon Tyne.

I would like to buy a book that fits the criteria above as well, though, if such a book exists......

Kevin Caulfield · Feb 1, 2017

Michael Freeman had a couple of good books on developing black and white film. A quick search should bring something up. Good luck. I also agree with Darko's advice. And also, welcome to APUG.

removed account4 · Feb 1, 2017

harry hornstein's manual was a staple for years for photo classes
https://www.amazon.com/Black-White-Photography-Manual-Revised/dp/0316373052
in the back there are photographs of typical problems and their causes.

bdial · Feb 1, 2017

Ilford has some basic information, including developing on their website;
Dead Link Removed

howardpan · Feb 1, 2017

I would suggest Bruce Barnbaum's "The Art of Photography". The actual technique of developing film is quite simple, but knowing what you want to achieve enables you to modify and extend those techniques toward your vision.

Ian Grant · Feb 1, 2017

I'd suggest Developing, Curt (Kurt) Jacobson 18th edition, it's an excellent book. Usually quite a few copies on Amazon.

Ian

ChuckP · Feb 1, 2017

Do you need to develop differently if you are going to scan rather than using an enlarger? Is the optimum density needed for scans different? If so you need a book that directly talks about developing for scanning.

Bob Carnie · Feb 1, 2017

If you try PMK then Gordon Hutchings book is excellent

markbarendt · Feb 1, 2017

Given this:

guitarsammy said:
- The plan would be to develop the negatives (both 35mm and medium format 6x7) and scan rather than print using an enlarger.

IMO the best choice is simply following the 'normal' instructions in documents like the one attached. No push, no pull, just normal.

I say this because push and pull are essentially printing choices, they change the way the print looks given a certain paper grade as a target, not the detail available on the negative.

Digital processes, simply put, aren't constrained by 'paper grade' concerns so adjusting film development is a marginal/very minor issue.

Grif · Feb 1, 2017

Long ago.... It took me quite a while to get the hang of loading reels in the dark without crimping the film. I've used plastic, self loading and stainless reels,,, after you get used to them, the stainless reels are the way to go. I'm quite convinced it would be a lot easier if you had someone actually walk you through it a couple of times in person, in the light with a couple of sacrificial rolls. Then,,, turn off the lights and learn about that.

Opinion to follow:

Ok,,, don't try to do all the exotic stuff first. Learn how to get a good negative. Use something like D76, ID11 or HC 110, if you read a lot it seems the issues start to crop up with things like XTOL. Pick a good solid film. FP4, Pan F or HP5. Not sure about the latest Kodak products, Tri X is the only one left I recognize. I liked PanatomicX and PluxX, but that was "then".

Learn to get a good, clean, full range negative, on purpose, from your choice, then branch out. Again, opinion, I'd go with FP 4 and any of the developers I listed. Agitation,,,, well,,, above all, be consistent. Then if you see the need, change one thing at a time. My choice for development times around 6 minutes was 30 seconds of twist and invert slowly, then three twist/inverts a minute after that (7 or so seconds). (D76 and Plux X). That was what it took for me to get nice uniform development.

I never did this,,, but the old one lens, one film one year has some good points in the dark room as well. Nail one film/developer/Exposure so you know in your mind what you will get when you trip the shutter. then you can branch out.

Grif · Feb 1, 2017

markbarendt said:
Digital processes, simply put, aren't constrained by 'paper grade' concerns so adjusting film development is a marginal/very minor issue.

Life will be a lot easier if you have totally consistent negatives with good detail in both the highlights and shadows. If the data is not on the negative..... Or depending on your scanner, if the detail is outside the density range your scanner can handle well,,, life will not be good.

At least read about the Zone system even if you don't use it. there's a PDF floating around the web "The Practical Zone System for Film and Digital Photography" Chris Johnson 4th Edition

Alan Johnson · Feb 1, 2017

FWIW Ansel Adams book is now archived but it is more suitable for the already experienced.
https://archive.org/stream/The_Negative#page/n0/mode/2up/search/phenidone

Grif · Feb 1, 2017

http://www.ilfordphoto.com/applications/page.asp?n=31

A good how to get started

Grif · Feb 1, 2017

Alan Johnson said:
FWIW Ansel Adams book is now archived but it is more suitable for the already experienced.
https://archive.org/stream/The_Negative#page/n0/mode/2up/search/phenidone

Good catch!!!

MattKing · Feb 1, 2017

Here is the Kodak version of the Ilford web guide: http://imaging.kodakalaris.com/sites/prod/files/files/resources/AJ-3.pdf

And here is a useful site for assessing the results: https://www.ephotozine.com/article/assessing-negatives-4682

markbarendt · Feb 1, 2017

Grif said:
Life will be a lot easier if you have totally consistent negatives

First the advice I gave to develop normally (no push or pull) provides a great contrast rate baseline to work from a provides easy to work with negatives.

With regard to exposure though, it's a choice; do I want to do most of the work at the camera or the enlarger. Either is a fair answer.

Grif said:
Or depending on your scanner, if the detail is outside the density range your scanner can handle well,,, life will not be good.

There's lots of possible issues with the scanner but most cover it fairly wide range, typically more than what a negative would have. For most people would have to work pretty hard to get outside a scanners range.

Grif · Feb 1, 2017

Bruce Barnbaum's "The Art of Photography" unless I'm disremembering ;-) makes a comment about the total range of a BW negative. A lot more than I'd read anywhere else.

HiHoSilver · Feb 1, 2017

darkosaric said:
Welcome to APUG !
I know many will recommend different books (like books from A. Adams), but my recommendation would be to find some APUGer who lives near by (where in UK are you located?) - and you do couple of negative developing together. It is actually pretty easy to do it, but it takes some practice. Time and patience, and don't give up when you get not perfect results in a start.

Hearty 2nd to that approach. You also get the valuable Q & A & speed past having the 'slows' during your first sessions.

Peter Schrager · Feb 1, 2017

Grif said:
Bruce Barnbaum's "The Art of Photography" unless I'm disremembering ;-) makes a comment about the total range of a BW negative. A lot more than I'd read anywhere else.

that book is highly recommended...how about the developing cookbook?? might as well have the whole enchilada
good luck and welcome to Apug!
peter

chip j · Feb 1, 2017

Y. Ernst Satow has a good book, I learned from that, but it's long out-of-print.

Grif · Feb 2, 2017

I need to stop now,,,, I just finally got a D7200 to replace my 1970 Ftn,,, all of a sudden, I'm looking at new bellows for my B&J 5x7, even have my 6x9 speed graphic down from the shelf where I can foundle it.

You people are a bad influence!!! ( ;-) keep it up!

Black Dog · Feb 4, 2017

The Darkroom Handbook (Michael Langford, Ebury Press) served me well when I was a beginner.

macfred · Feb 4, 2017

The Darkroom Cookbook and The Film Developing Cookbook (Darkroom Cookbook, Vol. 2)
by Steve Anchell

Good book for learning to develop film?

guitarsammy

darkosaric

guitarsammy

Kevin Caulfield

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