Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2006/01/27
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Scott and Don, Many thanks - that's exactly the kind of advice I was looking for to help me take the plunge and get back into b&w developing. I new I could rely on the LUG. By the way, we have very hard water here. How big a deal is that? Simon. On 27/1/06 9:05 pm, "Scott McLoughlin" <scott@adrenaline.com> wrote: > I use an inexpensive Patterson tank that holds two reels (that are > very easy to load). An inexpensive changing bag (zipper, arm holes) > let's me load the film in my living room. > > HC 110 keeps for ever, and using it with different dilutions and agitation > strategies for different situations (ISO, printing vs. scanning, high/low > contrast) is well documented around the web (photonet and APUG). > > I mix it one shot using a syringe. I got mine from my brother who works > with hospitals, but I imagine a pharmacy can set you up - no needle > required. > > Very convenient and economical. > > I have some graduated jars and measuring glasses I got from "The > Container Store" that work just dandy. I also have a few funnels > for filtering my water. I use tap water except for the final wash in > distilled water. > > I generally use Ilford's fixer, but I'm not that picky. I've also used > Sprint's fixer with and without the hardener, and it works great too. > Clayton's odorless fixer is also popular. Kodak's fixer puts a bit too > much curl in my negs, so I no longer use that. > > Sprint's fixer-remover (hypo) seems to keep much, much longer > than Kodak's. It's colored too and fades with use, so you know when > you need to mix a new batch. > > I dry my negs in a largish "dress bag" - the kind that hangs in a closet - > I also got at the container store. I hang mine over the show curtain > rod in the bathroom. Keeps the dust off while drying. > > Really pretty straightforward once you adjust times/temp for your > local water, metering habits and so forth. A few test rolls will you > you there pronto. > > Best of luck! > > Scott > > Simon PJ wrote: > >> I haven't developed black and white at home for over fifteen years, but >> would like to start again with TRI-X, and make sure that I make the most >> of >> whatever remains of the age of film! >> >> I know there is a huge fund of TRI-X wisdom on the LUG, and would be >> grateful for advice on the practicalities of getting set up. I'm thinking >> not just of best developer for grain etc., but also such things as >> shelf-life of chemicals for the my modest amount of shooting (e.g., >> should I >> buy in small or large volumes?). >> >> Factors to take into account: >> >> -- 1 to 4 rolls a week, with spikes up to 10 rolls a week about every >> other >> month. >> >> -- predominantly indoor available light shooting of people in >> home/social/work situations: so 320/400 ISO and some pushing to 800 (maybe >> 1600) >> >> -- to be scanned by Minolta Dimage 5400 Elite >> >> I think this is probably a pretty common shooting profile amongst LUG >> members. >> >> I'd be very grateful for any advice on chemicals for a practical set-up >> taking into consideration the above factors, and a low level of skill and >> experience with b&w development. >> >> And if anybody thinks TRI-X is the wrong way to go, please suggest >> alternatives! >> >> TIA, >> >> Simon, Cambridge UK. >> >> >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Leica Users Group. >> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information >> >>