Hi from Neilston, Scotland

[Garry75]

Hi all, I have just joined after finding this forum through a google search. I am building up a small amount of equipment with the intention of developing my own 35mm B&W (a bit afraid of colour at the mo!) I currently own two Olympus OM10s. I've had one for about 20years, and just dusted it off last week after shooting digital for 10years or so. I am buying equipment used, mostly from ebay, and getting quite exited about developing my own!

So far I have bought a film changing bag, and I'm watching some Paterson 4 developing tanks. I have bought 3 each of Ilford HP5 iso400, and Kentmere iso400. I have yet to buy chemicals. Any suggestions for a newb?

My Dad has a full darkroom kit, stored since he bought it in 1993! When I asked him to borrow it, his response was "I was just thinking of setting it up!" What? After 23 years! Typical! Anyway, I look forward to learning and sharing,

Any comments or suggestions on my first time developing, please feel free to share!

Many Thanks,

Garry

 

[Ian Grant]

Welcome, don't expect your Dad to loan equipment he can use himself in the dim distant futureit's in the genes

Maybe Ilford DDX and Ilford Rapid fixer to start with along with Ilford stop bath and wetting agent. You might be lucky and find a complete darkroom kit, try an advert onFreecycle.

Ian

 

[LAG]

Welcome to APUG! It's full of suggestions and comments, ... My suggestion won´t help you much: Start from the beginning again!

 

[Sirius Glass]

Welcome to APUG

 

[HiHoSilver]

Best of Welcomes, Gary. Its been the mother load of great help for me. Enjoy!

 

[mooseontheloose]

Welcome to APUG Garry, from Japan!

 

[Garry75]

Thanks all for the welcome!

 

[Helios 1984]

Welcome from Canada, laddy.

 

[daleeman]

Welcome and enjoy the journey

 

[TSSPro]

Welcome to APUG! Hope that you get a change to get all of that set up and chemistry mixed so you can process some film!

 

[Garry75]

Thanks all for the kind welcomes again!

Welcome to APUG! Hope that you get a change to get all of that set up and chemistry mixed so you can process some film!

I received the changing bag on Tuesday. Excellent quality. A bargain at £12. I now have a developing tank (Paterson 4) and 2 reels on the way. Paid £12 for that also. Just the chemicals left to get and I'm off on my adventure! Exiting times!

 

[TSSPro]

The way that I save a little money is by going with powdered chemistry. It will last forever, assuming here, if left in its powdered form and it costs a little less if it has to be shipped a great distance b/c it weighs less.

All the best-

 

[Geoffrey Swan]

Welcome Garry from Tasmania Australia - (enjoying all that highland scenery on Outlander series at the moment). I also just joined APUG and a bit like your Dad I am getting out some of my old darkroom equipment from 48 years ago.. I just turned 60 and decided it is time to get back into the darkroom. Once it is in your blood and you see your first print come together in the developer I am sure you will be totally hooked on the magic of the darkroom.

Ilford is still providing chemistry - so good place to start. I am venturing for the first time into raw chemistry - one excellent book is the Photographers Master Printing Course by Tim Rudman.. might be a bit scary for a first timer but pending your inclination you may travel in this direction sooner rather than later.

Just enjoy the journey - no more of this sickness we have developed of instant gratification (digital)... enjoy a roll of 36 exposures knowing you don't want to take 50 shots of the same thing.. selective.. and then the negative.. and then maybe many prints and hours before you end up with a final print... that is the real enjoyment and art of photography - in my view. And the Ansell Adams books - Camera, Negative and Print are great reading when you are ready for some technical stuff. Enjoy!!

 

[mpirie]

Welcome to the Forum from another part of Scotland!

 

[Garry75]

Thanks Geoffrey, and welcome to you also!

Thanks mpirie! Where are you from? I am originally from Dornoch, but moved to the central belt 18 years ago.