Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2001/07/30
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Yoicks! I was amazed at the rituals that we LUGgers go through to develop a roll of film! Albeit, the water systems around this country are many and they quality of the water is varied, I can assure you that if you can drink it, you can process film in it!! Here, they actually add grains of hardness to the water so as not to corrode the plumbing, but a qucik wipe with a sponge keeps the horrible white spots at bay, and I have tried mixing chemicals in distilled water, and although packaged D-76 does disolved more easily, I have never noticed a difference in the final negatives, whether I used straight tap water, water through the chlorine filter, or distilled water!! My feeling is that if you do a roll of film, and there is no problem, then you are okay- good to go, ready to launch, and no worries. I would start the arcane processes if, and only if there is a real problem! I am sure that you can take every precaution, as if you were working in a state of the art genetics lab, but the folks who do their film in the kitchen have the right idea- it's a lot like cooking, not like rocket science- keep your recipes handy, measure carefully, wash your hands, and don't forget to use the timer.... If you can be a consistant cook, you can be a consistant darkroom worker, it is as simple as that!! The point, when all else is said and done, is to have fun, enjoy what you are doing, and appreciate the fruits of your labor- but don't get so tied up in the method, that youforget what your original goal was! Dan (Merrily splashing away!) Post :o)