Quick introduction to film developing

[ky-ros]

Hello, this is my first post here.
I was just wondering as i recently got all the chemicals for developing and resources too, how to start developing my film without messing up.
I'll be developing c-41 film and an ilford hp5
also i would appreciate if you also assisted me with knowing which is best, plastic (pop bottles) or glass bottles to store them?

 

[138S]

Start first with BW, master it and later try C-41.

C-41 has nothing difficult, but one thing after the other, start with BW because processing temperature is usually 20ºC.

Buy a (used) copy of "The Darkroom Cookbook" read it as many time is necessary to understand it well. For advanced learning buy "Way Beyond Monochrome" and "Beyond the Zone System" and "The Film Development Cookbook". If you are to print with enlargers also read a basic book and later "Post Exposure" http://ctein.com/PostExposure2ndIllustrated.pdf

In practice, many videos: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=film+development


I'd advice to use a cheap HEPA air purifier (I use honeywell hap-16200e) to get rid of dust while drying or handling film.

Make final rinse with some distilled water, in that way you'll avoid drying marks from salts in tap water.

Suggestion:

Sacrifice a cheap expired film roll and practice lights open and in darkness the spiral loading.

Post here, one by one all the steps you are to do, as much detailed as you can, and many will tell you is something is wrong.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I echo starting with black & white film developing first. I found XTOL very forgiving and produces very fine grain film. Follow the mixing directions carefully and store in five one liter bottles. Use stop bath with indicator. Use either Ilford Rapid Fixer or Kodak Hypo.

 

[pentaxuser]

Have a read of the Ilford sheets on developing, make a written note of the main points and times suggested by the developer you use and then just take your time. Do not fret over a few seconds when agitating or even missing one of the agitations nor over a few seconds overrun in the total time. The negs will be fine and printable or scannable.

As far as storage is concerned I'd keep it simple at first and use the Ilford kits if they are available at reasonable prices. If you are more ambitious from the start, you can use a universal sort of powder developer such as Kodak D76 or Ilford ID11. Make it into stock solution and then decant into small bottles to the brim that hold enough for one film. That way it's one bottle per film. Developer will keep quite well in a full bottle

Just keep things as simple as possible as it is easier to walk first and then try running later as the saying goes. About 15 years ago I was shown what to do by a tutor who only had time to show all 20 or so of his students what to do once in a group. There were no disasters. If I managed it OK then so can you and get a great "I made this " feeling at the end when you look at the negs

Have fun

pentaxuser

 

[jvo]

welcome....

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

First time to develop film and you're going to tackle C-41 off the bat?? Start with B/W. Good luck!

 

[dmr]

First time to develop film and you're going to tackle C-41 off the bat?? Start with B/W. Good luck!

Actually, I went from pretty much a cold start directly to C41 in the Jobo. Just be sure to RTFM and pay attention to detail.

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

Actually, I went from pretty much a cold start directly to C41 in the Jobo. Just be sure to RTFM and pay attention to detail.

A lot more control over the process with one of those. I too would have more confidence with C-41 if I had one of those...