Last Updated on October 8, 2022
If you’re a photography enthusiast, chances are you’ve thought about developing your own film. After all, it’s a satisfying process to see your photos come to life in the darkroom (or kitchen, as the case may be). And while it may seem daunting at first, with a little practice anyone can develop black and white 35mm or medium format film at home.
Here’s what you need to get started:
First, you’ll need some basic supplies. For black and white film development, you’ll need two chemical tanks (one for the developer and one for the fixer), a changing bag, temperature control device, negative holders, safelight, tongs, thermometer, timer, funnel, measuring cups and spoons, storage containers for chemicals, paper towels and rubber gloves.
You’ll also need access to running water.
For color film development, you’ll need all of the above plus an additional tank for the bleach-fix step. You’ll also need color developers specifically designed for either C-41 or E-6 process films.
- Gather the necessary supplies
- You will need black and white 35mm or medium format film, a darkroom, developing chemicals, a film developer, a stop bath, fixer, and water
- Load the film into your development tank
- Make sure the film is completely dry before you start to load it into the tank
- Develop the film according to your chosen method
- There are many different ways to develop black and white film, so consult your chosen method for specific instructions
- Stop the development process when desired results are achieved
- This is typically done by adding a stop bath chemical to the development tank
- Fix the image on the negative by adding fixer chemical to the tank
- Again, follow your chosen method for specific instructions on how long to fix the negative for best results
- 6 Wash and dry the negative once fixing is complete
What Do You Need to Develop Black And White 35Mm Or Medium Format Film at Home
To develop black and white 35mm or medium format film at home, you need the following items:
-A darkroom or changing bag to load your film onto the development reel. Once your film is on the reel, you will need to put it in a light-tight container such as a developing tank.
-A bottle of developer. You will also need access to running water for rinsing purposes.
-A stop bath such as acetic acid or sodium sulfite solution.
This is used to halt the action of the developer.
-Fixer, which permanently fixes the image on the film so that it is no longer sensitive to light. Fixer also contains chemicals that make your negatives smell bad, so be sure to ventilate your work area well!
-Photo flo or other wetting agent, used to help rinse off excess fixer chemicals and prevent drying marks on your negatives.
Follow these steps and you’ll be able to develop your own black and white 35mm or medium format film at home:
1) Load your film onto the development reel in complete darkness, using either a darkroom or changing bag; make sure to keep track of which end of the roll goes where!
2) Place your loaded reel into a light-tight development tank filled with warm water; this helps prevent temperature shock when adding Developer later on. 3) Add developer to tank according to manufacturer’s instructions and agitate for prescribed amount of time; typically between 1-5 minutes. 4) Drain developer from tank and add stop bath; agitate for 30 seconds before draining again
5) Next, add fixer solution according to instructions; agitate for recommended time
What is the Process for Developing Black And White 35Mm Or Medium Format Film at Home
The process for developing black and white 35mm or medium format film at home is actually pretty simple, and only requires a few supplies that can easily be found online or at your local camera store. Here are the steps:
1. Start by loading your film onto a reel in complete darkness.
Make sure to do this carefully so as not to expose the film to any light.
2. Once your film is loaded, you’ll need to mix up a batch of developer solution. There are many different types of developers out there, so consult your manual or do some research online to find the one that’s right for you and your film type.
3. Once you have your developer mixed, it’s time to load it into your developing tank. Again, make sure you’re doing this in complete darkness so as not to accidently expose your film.
4. With everything set up, it’s now time to begin the development process!
Simply start the timer and agitate the tank according to the instructions for your specific developer/film combination. This part is critical in ensuring proper development, so make sure not to skip any steps!
5. After the allotted development time has elapsed, stop the timer and begin mixing a stop bath solution.
This will help ensure that your film doesn’t overdevelop and become ruined.Again, there are many different varieties of stop baths available on the market, so be sure to choose one that’s compatible with your developer and film type . Pour this solution into your tank and allow it to work its magic for around 30 seconds before agitating once more and then pouring out the used solution..
You may also want an inspection basin placed under where you will pour out used solutions from both developing and fixing phases since some fixers can be harmful if poured down sinks.. If using an inspectioin basin make sure its big enough that no fixer will splash back up into tanks while pouring.
. Good ventilation is recommended when working with chemicals.. Also keep track of how long each step takes as developers , stop baths ,and fixers all have minimum recommended times they should be in contact with Film.. Consult manufacturers recommendations .. Some general ranges are : Developer – 1-5 minutes ; Stop bath – 20-60 seconds; Fixer – 3-5 minutes ..
What are the Benefits of Developing Black And White 35Mm Or Medium Format Film at Home
There are many benefits to developing black and white 35mm or medium format film at home. One of the most obvious benefits is that it can save you money. Developing film at home is also a great way to learn about the process and to get more control over your results.
When you develop film at home, you have complete control over every aspect of the process. This means that you can experiment with different techniques and find what works best for you. You can also create custom development recipes that are tailored to your specific needs.
Another benefit of developing black and white 35mm or medium format film at home is that it gives you more flexibility in terms of timing. You don’t have to drop off your film at a lab and wait for it to be processed; you can do it all on your own schedule. This is especially helpful if you need to process a large amount of film quickly.
Overall, developing black and white 35mm or medium format film at home offers many advantages. It can save you money, give you more control over your results, and provide greater flexibility in terms of timing.
Developing Black and White Film at Home For COMPLETE BEGINNERS
Conclusion
Assuming you have all the necessary materials, developing black and white 35mm or medium format film at home is a relatively simple process. First, set up your darkroom by making sure it is light-tight and free of any dust or debris. Next, gather your supplies, which should include developer, stop bath, fixer, and a changing bag or dark room.
Once you have everything ready, load your film onto the reel and into the tank. Then add the developer and agitate for the recommended time before pouring it out and adding the stop bath. After another round of agitation, pour out the stop bath and add the fixer.
Finally, rinse your film with water and hang it to dry.