Where can I find any knowledge about film processing? Thank you :)

[shineofleo]

Hi everyone,

 

I am quite interested in photography, however I realize that the

photography today, is filled with digial stuff. To be honest, I know

nothing about the traditional film and processing....

 

Just now I tried to google some knowledge about the film and

processing, but not so lucky... the results were mostly about how to

print photos from digital camera...

 

I am wondering if anyone can introduce me some website (or book) which

completely tells everything about film photography, more importantly,

development of films. (I even can not tell the different between

'print' and 'slide', or what is C41 or E6, which i saw these words in

google)

 

It should be hard to develop the film at home, and I do not plan to do

this now.... Just want to have some good ideas about them. Maybe I can

do it in the future, I guess... The digital camera is definitely

convenient, but I still think the film camera is the 'perfect way' to

photography.

 

Any help will be appreciated. Thank you very much.

 

 

 

Leon

[alvin_wong]

<p>For starters, I recommend reading the excellent Photo.net tutorials written by Phillip Greenspun, the founder of this site. I think you will find that many of your basic questions will be answered by these articles.</p>

[phil_jarrett]

Hi Leon,

 

Most of what you want to know about film and processing can be found here and other film discussion boards across the internet. If you've got a question, someone will know the answer - collectively there isn't anything we don't know! I know that sounds a bit like corporate branding, but it's probably true.

 

One of the best books there is for all the nuts and bolts of film photography is Basic Photography by Michael Langford (and Advanced Photography for when you've mastered the basics, although Advanced Photography does get very technical after a while!). It was the first book that was required reading when I was doing my college course. You can buy it new from Amazon, but I bought my copy second-hand for $5, and although it's an old edition the principles remain the same.

 

Just as a side note, E6 is the developing process for slide emulsions, and C-41 the current chemical soup for colour print film. You can process your black and white films at home really easily, and also colour, although the chemicals and times / developer temperature are more critical... best leave that to a lab if you're just starting out.

 

But the most important thing is - enjoy it. It isn't a cheap hobby / profession to get into, and it's phenomenally frustrating sometimes, but it can also be very rewarding. Any more questions... just ask.

[alexis_neel]

http://www.photogs.com/bwworld/bwfilmdev.html

 

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=black+and+white+film+development

 

This is for B&W film development. If just starting out, I'd send color film (C-41 for color negs and E-6 for color slides) to a lab.

 

Here are some links for color:

 

http://avalon.unomaha.edu/afghan/techinfo/SLIDES.HTM

 

http://www.naturephotographers.net/articles0303/tw0303-1.html

 

http://science.howstuffworks.com/film8.htm

 

hope that helps

 

Alexis

 

www.alexisneel.com

[stephen hazelton]

Try 1) Your library 2) Your bookstore 3) Kodak's and Ilford's Websites- both have guides on developing and printing film buried somewhere down in them.

[SCL]

My (and probably your) local library has lots of books, and even several VCR tapes on film processing. Try them as they're already paid for by your taxes.

[dave_cheng1]

Leon, the best site that has the most accurate and up to date information is here at Kodak:

 

http://www.kodak.com/global/en/service/chemicals/photoChems.jhtml

 

All other sites suggested are all great but some of them do contain confusing or inaccurate information. The kodak site also contains info that may be confusing as well. But I found it still contain the most accurate info about photochemicals and processing.

[discpad]

Leon,

 

First and foremost, the only dumb question is the one not asked!

 

My suggestion is to start out with black & white film and developing, as there's nothing quite as satisfying as developing a roll of film and seeing the image "magically" appear! :)

 

That being said, the Ilford "PROCESSING YOUR FIRST B&W FILM" and "MAKING YOUR FIRST B&W PRINT" guides (attached below) are a very good starting point. Also, their filma are quite good: http://www.ilford.com/html/us_english/bw.html

 

Here in the United States, Kodak chemistry is less expensive than Ilford's, so I would recommend starting out with a one gallon bag of Kodak D-76 and Dektol for the film and paper: These are "safe" (i.e. bulletproof) choices to get you on your way.

 

-----------

 

Next, I would recommend playing around with a Holga camera: These use 120 film, which makes a much larger frame than a frame of 35mm film: You'll get 12 60x60 mm frames per roll, vs 24x36 mm frames with nominal "35mm" film (over 4x the "real estate" for the Holga!). You can pick up a new Holga for about $20, and rolls of Kodak Plus-X (outdoor) and Tri-X (indoor) film for about $3 per roll at B&H http://www.BHPhoto.com and Adorama http://www.Adorama.com

[roger_hicks1]

Dear Leon,

 

Take a look at the free parts of the Photo School at www.rogerandfrances.com (no need to pay for the other bits unless you want to). The 'Welcome to Film' module may be of interest.

 

Cheers,

 

Roger

[discpad]

Leon,

 

Roger beat me to the punch! His site is quite good, and will get you rolling!

 

Start out with "Black & White Photography" at http://rogerandfrances.com/blackwhite.html and his superb "Glossery" at http://rogerandfrances.com/photoschool/ps%20glossary.html

 

[Missing is an entry for F-stop to complement the T-stop entry, even if the F-stop entry simply says "See aperture." I also think the wording for T-stop is slightly off: Please see the thread at ]

[shineofleo]

Hi all,

 

Thank you very very much, I DO learn a lot from your saying, and these resource is perfectly suitable for me! :D

 

And Dan, don't worry, I think your material is also exellent! Thank you!

 

Anyway this hobby is truely time and money consuming... As for me now, I had better learn enough, and when everything is ready, I think I can go for it!

 

 

Thank you again, and I am sure to be a frequent visitor here!

 

 

 

Cheers

 

Leon

[discpad]

Hi Leon!

 

My "work" in the PDF above is simply assembling the three Ilford PDF documents into a single PDF "binder" for your convenience; but thanks for the compliment anyway!

 

On the other hand, I still stand by my recommendation for a $20 Holga and $3/roll black & white (B&W) film, even if you have to send it out for developing -- You'll still have a ball; and will grow into it when you start developing your own film down the road.

 

The important thing to consider is just sit back and have fun -- Your're not going to make a living from it, so just enjoy your new hobby!

 

Cheers!

 

Dan Schwartz

[roger_hicks1]

Dear Dan,

 

I'll add a definition for f/stop ASAP. What's wrong with the T/stop? It must be one of those things where I know what I mean, so I can't see the error.

 

Cheers,

 

Roger

[charlotte_windsor]

Simple explaination of E6, C41, RA4 films are :

 

E6 is the finished product, also the hardest to develope at home because it's temperature reliant (ie 35c -43c) and if you were able to take the film appart the layers are the same way as a print and doesn't need paper or enlarger so it's technically the easiest and cheapest.

C41 is a negative version so needs to be englarged (printed the right way up on the paper)You need a fair amount of stuff to develope a finished picture (Which is why 99% go to the lap (Boots in England)

RA4 is reversal film so you need RA paper, chemicals and is much like C41 you need a fair amount of stuff to get the finished product.

 

There are numerous websites dedicated to developement of pictures. Try a few Film supplies and check their info out such as

 

www.patersonphotographic.com (or .co.uk)

www.silverprint.co.uk

www.tetenol.com

www.novadarkroom.com

 

Most of these are great companies, most have some kind of help on. Also try a few university sites for photographic courses. Personally google isn't very good for this kind of search. Try askjeeves.co.uk

it's easier to use.

 

Then it starts to get more complicated if you move to meduim or large format cameras because it doesn't matter what digital camera you have (with the exception of the Hassleblad H2D with it's digital back) you won't get anywhere near the quality of picture nore enlargeability. Oh not forgetting there's a few more that 35mm there's 120, 220 film too.

 

A great idea would be to join a society and learn from them.

Charlotte