Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2003/08/11
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Frank: I've been going through the same situation myself. After many years of a debilitating Velvia and Nikon addiction I swore off the stuff and have devoted myself to (re)learn the art of B&W. I am using Tri-X and HP5, and have been developing in the old standby D76. I recently bought a bottle of Edwal FG-7 and some sodium sulfite. So far so good... I am quite happy with this combo although I need to do more than the 6 rolls I developed last night to really get a feel for the stuff. I recommend you buy a changing bag rather than do the standing in the dark routine. THis enables you to load film in your tank sitting at the kitchen table whenever you feel like it. Things cant get too far out of hand (the bag is small). Somehow it seems less "dark" doing it that way even though you cant actually see your hands or the spools (maybe it's just me). One sage bit of advice... do NOT forget to include the top to the developing tank in the bag and load the reels and then find you have done this really stupid thing.... (dont ask why I am so adament about this!). Are you printing wet, or scanning your negs? My $0.02.... get a high quality film scanner, Photoshop and a high-end photo printer. Way good results! here are two links you might find interesting. There is a shit-load of stuff on the net re: darkroom arcana; searching will turn up more than you want to know. Ansel Adams books are a bible of the craft as well. http://www.chrisjohnsonphotographer.com/charts.shtml#anchor231750 http://www.chrisjohnsonphotographer.com/funfilm.shtml best of luck cheers Jack McLain Tucson, AZ http://jackmclain-photography.dotcommunity.net - ----- Original Message ----- From: "Frank Farmer" <frankandaubrey@mindspring.com> To: "LUG" <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us> Sent: Monday, August 11, 2003 3:30 PM Subject: [Leica] OT - B&W negative developing info. in general > Greetings all, > > Ok, after about ten years of abstaining from developing my own negatives I'd like to start again. However, I have pretty much forgotten everything that is important to this process other than standing in the dark and remembering where you placed the lid to the tank. So, my questions are these: > > Has anyone found a site or book that has been particularly helpful with brushing up on darkroom skills? I own a very old version of the Kodak Darkroom Guide but figure there are others. Are there? Just FYI - I shoot Ilford HP5+ or FP4+, Kodak Tri-X or Plus-X with a bit of Fuji Neopan 1600 mixed in for good measure. > > Also, it seems that Xtol is the choice developer for many - sounds good - I would like to keep grain to a minimum most of the time. Is there another I should start with? Is Xtol a good start with those films? What other "news" is out there? Any general guidance on or off list would be appreciated. Sorry if I missed any of this is in the archives. > > Thanks in advance . . . > > Frank > -- > To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html