elmar001 Posted January 27, 2008 Share Posted January 27, 2008 Well, after lots of excuses, I think I am finally ready to process my first two rolls of film. I have my developer working solution mixed(HC-110), and I am going to mix stop and fixer just enough when I am ready to go. I am using tap water (our water is very good here.) I am going to use the microwave to time, with my wife at the controls. Pickle jars will serve to hold the working solutions temporarily to get the right temperature. So if you talk regularily to the gods of dark rooms, please put a word or two forward. I need all the help I can get! LOL Thanks for all the help getting me this far. Lawrence Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lex_jenkins Posted January 27, 2008 Share Posted January 27, 2008 The microwave as a timer? Sounds like an expensive stopwatch! Any watch or clock with a second hand/timer is good enough. With development times of around 10 minutes minor variations in pour times (to fill and empty the tank) are usually insignificant. Be sure your containers are clearly labeled. A pickle jar is fairly unlikely to lead to a food related accident, but try to avoid reusing beverage containers. I've done it, but it's not a good practice. Also, the metal lids on most food and beverage containers will be corroded by continued contact with some darkroom chemistry. Have fun and welcome aboard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustys pics Posted January 27, 2008 Share Posted January 27, 2008 Yes, good luck! You could probably use pickle juice as a stop bath! Just kidding. Who needs green negatives with seeds? I agree with Lex. You can go to any dollar store and find a digital cooking timer. Or even the old fashioned dial and bell kind. Much easier and cheaper to use than a microwave. Unless you are also cooking dinner at the same. Enjoy the alchemy of film development. I never get tired of the rush from seeing them emerge out of the Photo FLo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evan_goulet Posted January 27, 2008 Share Posted January 27, 2008 Most modern microwaves have a timer function built-in, that's what I use as my timer for film development. I would recommend using distilled water for the final rinse (tap is fine for chemicals). You will be fairly disappointed by water spots, even with "best" tap water out there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leicaglow Posted January 27, 2008 Share Posted January 27, 2008 Having a spouse that supports such an experiment is half the battle!<g> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelging Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 If you can follow directions enough to make macaroni and Cheese, you can develop film.Follow directions to the letter. Good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brucecahn Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 Watch out for the stopbath. In a gallon jug I have taken mouthfuls twice over the years, not swallowed. That is not recommended but will get the dead taste out of you mouth. Rinse with water several times after. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rameses_dsouza Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 Enjoy! I did this just last week. Most nerve wracking thing was getting the film on the reel, even though I'd done it with a dud-roll for a couple of days before hand. The others are right, it really is a kick to see the images developed after taking them off the reel. Don't worry about a thing (except, maybe, drinking the Stop Bath) and enjoy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjferron Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 A cheap sport watch with timer feature works perfect. Have fun with the film. I hardly touch my digitals sisnce getting hooked on B&W film. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smeitner300 Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 Most stop bath is acetic acid, which is basically the same as in vinegar. It is the concentration that is important with chemicals. Better safe than sorry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobmichaels Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 Lawrence: relax, developing film is a subject they used to teach in Jr. High School back when 7th, 8th, & 9th grade kids were not as smart as they are today. It's not rocket science. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lou_Meluso Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 When you get a chance, go to your local Walgreens and pick up a digital kitchen timer. BIG digital display for minutes and seconds, accurate and repeatable with a chime. About four dollars. Works great for processing film. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert lee Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 "... I think I am finally ready to process my first two rolls of film. " You didn't mention how you're measuring temperature. This piece is important. The cooking appliance section of the local big box is your friend. I've found digital meat thermometers to be generally fairly accurate (and more importantly, repeatable.) It should read ~0degC in an ice water bath, and about ~100degC in boiling water (given that there's not too much dissolved solids in the bath, that you're close to sea level, etc.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_taylor2 Posted February 2, 2008 Share Posted February 2, 2008 I recall some old advice for B&W: overexpose and underdevelop, for better detail in the shadows. Try a half stop over, and 20-30 seconds less of development time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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