Newbie stupid question but I have to ask.

Is the developing solution for developing your negs the same for developing your prints,does this go for the fixer and the stop. How important is the wetting agent at the end of the neg process.

There are universal developers, but most folks use different developers for film and paper. They are similar enough that you can use one for the other, but you will likely not get optimal results. We use the same fixer for both but at different dilutions. I also think that is common. As for stop, it is exactly the same for both in our darkroom, again, I think that is the norm.

Wetting agent is not an absolute necessity, but if your results aren't what you want after drying your negs without it, you might consider getting some. If you get drip marks, etc, the judicious use of drying agent can help prevent them. Some folks use distilled water for their final rinse, and that can help as well.

dustym said:

Is the developing solution for developing your negs the same for developing your prints,does this go for the fixer and the stop. How important is the wetting agent at the end of the neg process.

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A very generalized answer:

Negative and paper developers are the same, basic components but vary in energy levels and should be considered unique for each purpose. Stop bath can be considered the same and fixer is generally used in a different concentration level for each purpose for most type of fixers. Upon reflection, I suppose that paper fixers are generally more diluted and used one shot/one session and discarded and film fixing is generally done with re-used/re-cycled mixes. Personally, I use a wetting agent at very dilute levels (a few drops per 500ml) and with my process and water supply, I don't get spotting.

Everything here is definetely correct. I use D-76 for most of my prints & papers, though I sometimes use Dektol for paper (this is RC paper).

Fixers are the same for papers and film ...

As for a wetting agent, it's really optional; I rarely use one.

Not a stupid question, just a sign of inexperience

Questions are rarely stupid, when asked for the first time by a "newbie". Ask away - your interest is appreciated, and at worst you'll be referred to a reference.

You might also want to pick up a book (a Kodak Darkroom Dataguide has lots of useful dry technical info), or refer to something like the Kodak or Ilford websites.

Good luck and have fun!

Matt

craigclu said:

Personally, I use a wetting agent at very dilute levels (a few drops per 500ml) and with my process and water supply, I don't get spotting.

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I would like to personally second this. The amount that Kodak recommends for its Photo-Flo is far too much and can cause greasy spots. I use 4 to 5 drops of Photo-Flo 200 for 250 ml of water. All you need to do is break the surface tension and cause the water to sheet down the film.