Rookie day - again - generic dev?

[mtnjunkie]

So I think I'm going to start processing my own film at home (in the bathroom to be precise). I've been processing my own film at a local college, but I would like to try something other than the developer they have. I've read a lot of good advice here already, but, of couse, still have some rookie questions. I'll be processing 4X5 sheets of the "old" tri x in abs tubes.
Generic developer... ok? scary? My local camera store sells generic versions of Kodak developers - should I support them or mail order the real stuff?
Ventilation... well, there isn't much in my tiny bathroom. I hope that will be mitigated somewhat by my use of tube development (keeping the chemicals contained and allowing me to leave the dark hole more easily), but should I expect to pass out or die?
Any other good tidbits before I start making my own mistakes?
Thanks everyone - this is a great community - I'm going to subscribe!

 

[Tom Hoskinson]

What developer(s) have you been using in the college darkroom?

 

[mtnjunkie]

Tmax, not RS.

 

[Kevin Caulfield]

A lot of us don't use much at all in the way of ventilation, and just make sure we don't spend too long in the darkroom. And that's with trays. With tubes you will be fine. You still should get some fresh air every now and again though.

 

[joeyk49]

I have a 6' x 9' space that I lovingly call my Darkroom. I carved it out of a corner in my basement and ran running water to it...I used 2x3 studs (because their cheaper than 2x4s) and luan for the wall panels...it has a small 3' wide doorway which I have draped with black cloth. It has NO ventilation, yet.

I have yet to be overcome by vapors...but then, I kinda like the smell of fixer...and I spend hours in there!!! When the prints go in the fixer, the lights frequently come on and I duck out for a refill (beverage) or whatever, and coincidentally, a breath of fresh air.

I wouldn't worry too much about it, unless of course the CDC comes out and says that fixer vapor contibutes to impotence or something equally horrific....

 

[Tom Hoskinson]

Tmax, not RS.

Which generic developer is the Photo Store offering as a replacement for the Tmax?

 

[mtnjunkie]

It is a generic D-76 - not really a Tmax replacement, but I didn't feel too much need to stick with the Tmax. I don't recall the name of the no-name brand.

 

[Tom Hoskinson]

It is a generic D-76 - not really a Tmax replacement, but I didn't feel too much need to stick with the Tmax. I don't recall the name of the no-name brand.

I assume it is a liquid version D-76 rather than a dry mix. D-76 should work fine with Tri-X. Take a look at the D-76 Recipe posted in the APUG Chemical Recipes.

 

[derevaun]

Is it from Don's Camera downtown? I picked up some Nacco Super 76 from them. It's not chemically the same as Kodak D-76, but it is made to arrive at about the same results. I got good results and liked having the different dilutions to experiment with. It's a phenidone/hydroquinone developer (as opposed to metol based like D-76).

The Camera Shoppe in downtown Tacoma has the Kodak stuff and a little more. They're not the greatest folks to deal with IME, so I usually just drive on past and hit Glazer's in Seattle, which has a really wide selection of stuff.

Edit: the Nacco stuff is made to produce similar results to D-76, but the times are definitely not the same. I never found times for anything other than what's on the chart on the bottle, even on the massive dev chart.

 

[Jim Chinn]

use the D76 clone and stick with it for awhile. I would check with B&H, Freestyle or Calumet. if it is cheaper to mail order over the price the local store is charging then go with either the real D76 or XTOL.