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[OM] B & W developing

Subject: [OM] B & W developing
From: "John Palmer" <john.palmer@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Sun, 16 Jul 2000 10:17:23 +0100
Just a comment about developing black & white films, prompted by the
discussion of chromogenic vs "conventional" films.

You don't need a darkroom to develop films.

You need a developing tank and some way of loading the film into it in
the dark. If you've got a lightproof cupboard, fine. If not, get a
"changing bag" - a double-thickness black bag with elasticated holes
to put your arms in.

Apart from that all you need are a couple of measuring graduates for
mixing the chemicals (paint a big letter D on one and F on the other
to avoid cross-contamination) and a thermometer. None of this is
expensive, and if you do it yourself you have complete control over
push/pull processing etc.

Chromogenics like to be processed in C41-style chemicals, which like
to run hot - about 38 Celsius IIRC. Trad silver films are happier at
warmish room temperature - about 20C - which I find easier to handle.
And I prefer the films anyway.

If you live in a hard water area, some distilled or de-ionized water
for final rinses is useful as it reduces drying streaks considerably.

Having got your negs, trot down to your local P&S lab and see if they
do "retro sets" - a complete set of prints from your negs. Over here
(England) most places do, it's a little more expensive than a
straightforward colour D&P. They may well come back with a colour
cast, but that doesn't really matter - you have got a set proof prints
that you can use easily to check sharpness, shadow detail etc. and
decide which ones are worth the full treatment.

In Zuiko Veritas,
John


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