Ilford Simplicity - new processing system from Ilford

Oren Grad · Dec 5, 2018

OptiKen said:
I wonder what the price point will be to develop 2 rolls of 35mm or 1 roll of 120 film?

No US pricing yet, but Firstcall in the UK is taking initial orders at £14.99 for the kit:

http://www.firstcall-photographic.co.uk/ilford-simplicity-film-developing-chemical-kit/p7295

wyofilm · Dec 5, 2018

Oren Grad said:
No US pricing yet, but Firstcall in the UK is taking initial orders at £14.99 for the kit:

http://www.firstcall-photographic.co.uk/ilford-simplicity-film-developing-chemical-kit/p7295

So basically £7.50 to process a roll of film. How does this compare to local labs?

darkroommike · Dec 6, 2018

Kodak did something similar in the 60's called the Tri-Chem pack and again, with liquid concentrates in the 80's. I think it's a great idea to get folks started.

mshchem · Dec 6, 2018

Yes, great product to get newcomers into processing b&w film. 600ml is a common size for Vitamin Water ,Gator aid etc. Fear of the unknown is an issue with processing for newbies. Should come with a thermometer.

Roger Cole · Dec 6, 2018

ozmoose said:
The Ilford quick washing technique (evolved after much practice to my own, essentially similar to David Allen's) I've made use of since the 1980s. My negatives from that era remain in pristine condition with absolutely no fading, so I'm satisfied that it works. Kudos to Ilford and to Dave for their positive input into our processing successes.

I've also used distilled water as a final rinse for many years. I buy a one liter bottle of it (for +/-A$1.50, going by the price tag on the last bottle I purchased at our local supermarket), mix it with Photo Flo, and use it for three months. In-between processing sessions it rests safely in the fridge. I make sure to check it for 'deterioration' before each processing session. So far, entirely good. It's a small expense (I've had the Photo Flo concentrate bottle since around 2003 and it's still far from empty) for consistently good drying results.

Overall, good info in these posts. We need more of these threads.

I knew that distilled water was much more expensive in other countries than it typically is in the US. That translates to $1.09 USD/liter. I buy it for 0.88/ GALLON at Wal-Mart. It's slightly more expensive, maybe a dollar or so per gallon, at Kroger but if I need some and happen to be at Kroger I'll get it there as the difference is utterly trivial.

I mix all developers with distilled water as well as final rinse, but of course that's easier at US prices.

David Allen · Dec 6, 2018

"The only real addition is the distilled water which (a) requires distilled water to be purchased which many people may consider unnecessary and an added expensive in both time and money."

Obviously the use of distilled water is dependent upon your local water supply. Here in Berlin tap water is generally excellent. However, my darkroom is in a building that was formerly the laboratory for a gas works. This is long gone but the water flows through pipes laid when the gas works was working. I have two water filters on my water supply and they turn red/brown within days of being installed - hence my use of distilled water for mixing chemical from raw ingredients and for the final wash. I have no idea how much this costs in other countries but in Germany it costs 1,99€ for 5 litres in any of the big hardware chain stores and a maximum of 4,99€ for 5 litres if bought at a petrol station. This is a price I am well happy to pay given the quality of the water in my darkroom.

Bests,

David.
www.dsallen.de

AgX · Dec 6, 2018

Roger Cole said:
I knew that distilled water was much more expensive in other countries than it typically is in the US. That translates to $1.09 USD/liter. I buy it for 0.88/ GALLON at Wal-Mart.

Over here in most towns it is available for 30€cent per Liter. But why should I schlepp around 5L containers (there is life without cars) if I can have water from the tap? Using destilled water for the final rinse is something different, but one could reduce the volume easily.

macfred · Dec 6, 2018

I am sure that Ilford has analyzed the market before it was decided to offer this particular product.
I remember Ilford's oline survey some times ago.
There will be a market for it - apparently there are still 'newcommers' in film-based photography or even those who use and develope sporadically.
Personally, I do not see much demand for myself - even though I occasionally bought some Tetenal products -for special purpose- in smaller packaging units (like (mentioned by AgX above).
--

darkroommike said:
...I think it's a great idea to get folks started.

Exactly - good luck Ilford!

kevs · Dec 6, 2018

pbromaghin said:
This just posted today on YouTube:

That's a nice idea from Ilford and I hope it makes film more attractive and a little easier for beginners. Surely Ilford could perfect a monobath developer though, to save all that sloshing about of chemicals and wearing of blue marigolds. Then they need to perfect the self-loading developing tank, the automatic, spot-free film dryer and the pocket-sized automatic neg cutter/sleever...

AgX · Dec 6, 2018

Koddak once offered a monobath developer.

A monobath developer best would be offered as kit with an apt film.

Ces1um · Dec 6, 2018

Pretty interesting product really. Good for people with limited room, just starting out with film developing, or someone who develops film infrequently. It's success I think depends on how they price it.

It certainly is a convenient all in one solution for someone just starting out though.

AgX · Dec 6, 2018

Good for people with limited room? I do not see that point.
Quite some developers are sold in small bottles of about 100ml, same for fixer and wetting agent, they all could be storerd in the beakers. Pure acetic acid likely is in the house anyway. If the bottles could not be stored in the beakers, chosing beakers not stackable would form a much larger storage problem.

By the way, as Ilford advises the process to be single-use, one could do it with just one beaker!

warden · Dec 6, 2018

Vaughn said:
But as an introduction to developing and avoiding buying large amounts at first -- makes good sense. I wonder if it is in responce to recent surveys.

I think you're right, a product aimed at the first time home developer. Perhaps that same customer would repeat use of this kit a few times and then switch to larger quantities when ready for the commitment of storing them. Getting that first time under your belt is liberating and gives you confidence, so whatever they can do to get that process started will help their bottom line.

John51 · Dec 6, 2018

The containers seem over engineered to me. Meaning more cost to the end user. Cafes have sachets of vinegar so why not photo chems in a simple, ie. cheap, sachet?

Ces1um · Dec 6, 2018

AgX said:
Good for people with limited room? I do not see that point.
Quite some developers are sold in small bottles of about 100ml, same for fixer and wetting agent, they all could be storerd in the beakers. Pure acetic acid likely is in the house anyway. If the bottles could not be stored in the beakers, chosing beakers not stackable would form a much larger storage problem.

By the way, as Ilford advises the process to be single-use, one could do it with just one beaker!

I'm thinking the ilford products are essentially an in and an out. You buy it when you're ready to develop your one or two rolls of film. You bring it home, use it the same day, and everything is discarded at the end of the process. There's nothing to store at any point.
Now if you're buying a small kit, likely that kit of small 100ml bottles will do more than just two rolls so at the end of the day you have something that will be kept in your house.
It's just a small point though. A small development kit doesn't take up that much space. However, watch a youtube video on jay schaeffers tiny home movement, or a Tokyo micro apartment and it might make a difference to those people.

mitrajoon · Dec 6, 2018

Sorry, I don't get this. While I'm happy to see Ilford working on bringing new users into film, I have two issues.
First, a simple monobath or a two step, e.g., Rodinal & TF-4 process is as simple and the chemicals are re-usable. Which brings me to my second issue. This system is as incredibly ECO unfriendly as you can get. One use then you pour the chemicals down the drain and throw away 4 non-recyclable plastic containers in the trash. Again, after one use for every roll or two of film. I'm not a tree hugger, but this seems appalling.

faberryman · Dec 6, 2018

I think this is a good solution if you only want to process two rolls of film every once in a while. But at $20 for two rolls of film it is expensive. Probably no way around that with the packaging costs.

Andrew O'Neill · Dec 6, 2018

I love the idea of a monobath developer, in a simple satchel. Now that would be very useful for on the road.

Born2Late · Dec 6, 2018

I wish someone would do the same thing for C41 and E6!

Photo Engineer · Dec 6, 2018

Kodak not only offered kits like this for film and paper, but they were also color and B&W.

The nice thing here is to see them using Stop Bath. For those who don't, get over it!

PE

mshchem · Dec 6, 2018

John51 said:
The containers seem over engineered to me. Meaning more cost to the end user. Cafes have sachets of vinegar so why not photo chems in a simple, ie. cheap, sachet?

Safety and mailing regulations? ??

Wallendo · Dec 6, 2018

When I started developing at home, I remember going through a long process of choosing supplies. Although a kit like this would be somewhat helpful, my main debates were metal vs plastic reels, which dark bag, which storage containers, which thermometer, which graduated cylinders, etc..

I initiallt wondered if this would be useful for travel. I already carry a dark bag, just in case, but would only need to add a measuring cup, tank, reels, clips and storage sleeves.

If Ilford is really trying to bring in new users for home development, they should probably sell this kit in a bundle with a Paterson tank, thermometer, and plastic beaker of some sort.

Andrew O'Neill · Dec 6, 2018

That's a good idea, Wallendo.

David Allen · Dec 6, 2018

I know from my students that such things as the new Ilford offer or Fotoimpex's starter kits (https://www.fotoimpex.com/analog-starter-kits/fotoimpex-starter-kit-film-basic.html?cache=1544129440) do a great deal to get new people interested in analogue photography. Having been 'bitten by the bug' they then come to me for more detailed instruction.

It is all about getting new people into the 'analogue family' and this is beneficial for all of us who want to keep working this way.

Bests,

David.
ww.dsallen.de

macfred · Dec 6, 2018

David Allen said:
... It is all about getting new people into the 'analogue family' and this is beneficial for all of us who want to keep working this way...

Amen!

Ilford Simplicity - new processing system from Ilford

Oren Grad

wyofilm

darkroommike

mshchem

Roger Cole

David Allen

AgX

macfred

kevs

AgX

Ces1um

AgX

warden

John51

Ces1um

mitrajoon

faberryman

Andrew O'Neill

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Born2Late

Photo Engineer

mshchem

Wallendo

Andrew O'Neill

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David Allen

macfred

Ilford Simplicity - new processing system from Ilford

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