Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2006/01/27
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]I use an inexpensive Patterson tank that holds two reels (that are very easy to load). An inexpensive changing bag (zipper, arm holes) let's me load the film in my living room. HC 110 keeps for ever, and using it with different dilutions and agitation strategies for different situations (ISO, printing vs. scanning, high/low contrast) is well documented around the web (photonet and APUG). I mix it one shot using a syringe. I got mine from my brother who works with hospitals, but I imagine a pharmacy can set you up - no needle required. Very convenient and economical. I have some graduated jars and measuring glasses I got from "The Container Store" that work just dandy. I also have a few funnels for filtering my water. I use tap water except for the final wash in distilled water. I generally use Ilford's fixer, but I'm not that picky. I've also used Sprint's fixer with and without the hardener, and it works great too. Clayton's odorless fixer is also popular. Kodak's fixer puts a bit too much curl in my negs, so I no longer use that. Sprint's fixer-remover (hypo) seems to keep much, much longer than Kodak's. It's colored too and fades with use, so you know when you need to mix a new batch. I dry my negs in a largish "dress bag" - the kind that hangs in a closet - I also got at the container store. I hang mine over the show curtain rod in the bathroom. Keeps the dust off while drying. Really pretty straightforward once you adjust times/temp for your local water, metering habits and so forth. A few test rolls will you you there pronto. Best of luck! Scott Simon PJ wrote: >I haven't developed black and white at home for over fifteen years, but >would like to start again with TRI-X, and make sure that I make the most of >whatever remains of the age of film! > >I know there is a huge fund of TRI-X wisdom on the LUG, and would be >grateful for advice on the practicalities of getting set up. I'm thinking >not just of best developer for grain etc., but also such things as >shelf-life of chemicals for the my modest amount of shooting (e.g., should I >buy in small or large volumes?). > >Factors to take into account: > >-- 1 to 4 rolls a week, with spikes up to 10 rolls a week about every other >month. > >-- predominantly indoor available light shooting of people in >home/social/work situations: so 320/400 ISO and some pushing to 800 (maybe >1600) > >-- to be scanned by Minolta Dimage 5400 Elite > >I think this is probably a pretty common shooting profile amongst LUG >members. > >I'd be very grateful for any advice on chemicals for a practical set-up >taking into consideration the above factors, and a low level of skill and >experience with b&w development. > >And if anybody thinks TRI-X is the wrong way to go, please suggest >alternatives! > >TIA, > >Simon, Cambridge UK. > > > > > >_______________________________________________ >Leica Users Group. >See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information > > -- Pics @ http://www.adrenaline.com/snaps Leica M6TTL, Bessa R, Nikon FM3a, Nikon D70, Rollei AFM35 (Jihad Sigint NSA FBI Patriot Act)