RE: [Leica] Wet work: Anal retentive alternatives?

["Steve Unsworth" <mail@steveunsworth.co.uk>]

Many years ago there was a problem in I think the south west of England with
minute fresh water shrimps being present in the drinking water. A
representative of the water supplier appeared on TV to say that the shrimps
didn't pose a health hazard (he was then given a glass of the water to
drink - it looked disgusting). I could imagine this might cause a problem or
two for film development :-)

Steve

- -----Original Message-----
From: owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
[mailto:owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us]On Behalf Of Daniel Post
Sent: 30 July 2001 16:27
To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
Subject: Re: [Leica] Wet work: Anal retentive alternatives?


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)