Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/09/15
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]At 09:43 AM 15/09/98 -0700, you wrote: >Dan P., Richard W., Gary T., Eric W., John Maries, Alexey Merz, Scott >Green, et al. > >>I'M STARTING FROM SCRATCH to build my darkroom set up developing film >for now. > >1) What brand of fixer has a hardener built-in already - I don't want to >have to remember to add a hardener to the fixer. You don't need a hardener. It causes longer washing times. > >2) What Fixer Remover is best - I had a note that referenced to "Perma >Wash" - not sure what that is I use Kodak Hypo Clearing Agent. It works well. > >3) What Stop Bath / Wetting Agent chemical do I use Acetic acid stop bath, Photo-Flo is OK when used very sparingly >4) For above items 1,2,3 - how many times can I reuse the chemicals? 8 rolls of 35mm, for 500 mL solutions. Trying to stretch your chemicals any further can cause serious problems, especially if fixer reaches exhaustion. > >5) Does the film squeegee serve the same function as a photo sponge (the >book refers to the sponge for "wiping wet film after it is hung to dry") Yes, they both serve the same purpose - to scratch the negs! Don't use either. As a final rinse, use distilled water, with 2-3 drops of Photo-Flo per 500 mL of solution. Let the film drip dry. The distilled water prevents water spots from forming. > >6) Whats your set up like for a dust free cabinet for hanging negs. Any >tips on the drying process? Natural, over-night air drying is OK for limited volume. Build a sealed cabinet, long enough to hold a full-length 35mm roll (or a half-height cabinet and cut rolls in half.) > >7) Proper procedure of disposing the used chemicals Avoid septic tank disposal. This question is too involved for a simple answer. Mix spent developed and stop bath, mix used fixer and hypo clearing agent, then dispose normally in the sink. > >8) I plan to get stainless steel Hewes reels and a 2-reel tank from >Kindermann. Does anyone recommend using the Kinderman reels instead of >the Hewes? I tried them, but without the loader they are not easy to load, because of difficulty reaching the center tab. Hewes are good reels. They load easily and are durable. > >9) If I ever want to try the fast pour method by leaving the lid open >and working in total darkness until the fixer's (or do I wait till the >fixer remover part is done?) done, what timing device is best and how >does that work? Pour in daylight through the lid. There's no need to use a so-called fast pour method with a double-reel tank. > >If there's anything else I should know about the developing process, >just jump in !! A process thermometer and a good timer are useful accessories. Try the Hana film clips. They hold film well. Eventually, get several tanks and reels, so you can process a batch at a time. This saves lots of time. - -GH