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Processing Black and White Film
Topics: black and white photography, developing film
Posted by Chelle Fri Oct 12, 2007 15:23:23 MDT
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                Black and white film has become increasingly difficult for the average person to process commercially.  The easiest way to deal with the lack of developing facilities is to develop the film yourself in a darkroom.

Start by loading the film onto the reel and placing it into the developing can in an absolutely dark room.  Make sure all caps and seals are secure, to ensure the film is not ruined by light.  Once loaded, pre-rinse the film.  Run water through the canister at the processing temperature indicated on the box for 30 seconds to two minutes, constantly agitating it.  After this time, empty the water into the sink.  Use the time indicated on the box from the film to determine the developing time. 

Pour the developer into the canister (1/4 ounces of developer to eight ounces of water), and agitate for the rest of the initial 30 seconds.  Agitate ten seconds of each following minute, and pour the developer into the sink when the developing time has finished. 

Pour the stop bath into the canister and agitate it for 30 seconds.  Then pour the stop bath back into its original container (since it is harmful to the environment), and pour the fixer back into the film canister. 

Agitate the fixer in the same method as the developer for six to eight minutes.  Like the stop bath, pour the fixer back into the bottle when the fixing time has been completed.  The film is now insensitive to light, and can be taken outside the container without damage. 

Run the film through 68-degree temperature running water for 30 seconds to two minutes.  Then, for two minutes, continuously agitate the film in a hypo-clearing agent such as Hypoclear.  Place the film in the film washer for approximately ten minutes in running water at 65 to 75 degrees, which should create bubbles, instead of spray.  After washing the film, continuously agitate the film in Photoflo for one minute to keep water spots from drying on the film.  Hang the film in a film dryer for approximately 20 minutes, or as indicated by the dryer manufacturer.  Then cut the negatives into small strips and place them in plastic sleeves for protection.

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Comment From: nilseninc

I love being in the dark room, I took a class a few years back, I was horrible but I tried! The dark room is amazing, developing film is defiantly an experience.