Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2002/07/06
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Daniel Ridings writes: | Felix, | You might want to start by reading: | | http://www.ilford.com/html/us_english/pdf/Film%20Hobbyist.PD F | | It is written with the beginner in mind. | | It might be a good idea to stick to the basics (one film, one developer) | until you get your routines in place. Most of the stuff on the market is | good, so what you choose as "one film" and "one developer" is not such an | issue. That is all good advice. The secret in starting out is to keep it simple. Despite what you might hear, developing b&w film is not brain surgery. Since I don't know where you are, I don't know what brands are available. I would buy the chemicals locally since some have hazardous shipping surcharges mail order. The local community college photo class uses Kodak Plus X as the film, D76 1:1 as the developer, a indicator stop bath (a bottle will last for years), Kodak fixer, and photo-flo. They don't care what you use after the first 40 rolls of film. :) To begin with, you might consider a Patterson tank since they are easy to load as long as the reel is dry. If you use the above chemicals, you will need a bucket (available at WalMart or the ilk in the Auto section). I have mine marked on the outside with a Sharpie showing the 3 quart level and the gallon level. You will also need something non-reactive to stir the solutions. I use a glass rod. You will also need several gallon-containers to store the chemicals (easiest to buy at the photo shop where you buy your chemicals). For measuring using the above chemicals, kitchen product (dedicated to the darkroom) work fine. I find a stainless steel kitchen instant read thermometer is fine for the temps. For a timer, a digital kitchen timer (such as EKCO which measures in hours, minutes, and seconds works fine). The rest of the equipment is pretty much as stated in the Ilford fact sheet. Except I wipe the photoflo off the film between my fingers rather than using a squeegee or sponge. I would also recommend a changing bag (then you don't need a darkroom). They are about $20 from Freestyle. Use outdated film to practice loading the reel in the light, then in the changing bag or darkroom. The film lid remover in the Ilford illustration is just an old fashioned bottle opener. Hope this helps, regards, Bill Larsen, Terra Bella, CA - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html