Yes, I know its not a real word, but I like it. It conjures up in my mind a mad scientist mixing various coloured liquids in measuring cylinders and not quite sure what’s going to happen. It sums up my feelings exactly.
I have been home developing my 35mm colour film since 2017 and have reached the point of quiet confidence. The end of last year saw me try Ilford XP2, the link to the post Here. I knew deep down that it would only be a matter of time until I would eventually succumb to the lure of developing black and white film.
However, as mentioned in the aforementioned post, I have held myself back. The seemingly endless number of developers and stop baths along with fix, not to mention film emulsions with their different developing times. Watching too many ‘how to videos’ no doubt added to my confusion. Arghhh.
I eventually found a company who had assembled a complete chemical package that seemed like a good starting point for £24. From the same company I purchased 10 rolls of Kentmere 400 for £37.90. So a little over £60. Assuming I get the full 36 exposures from each of the 10 rolls of film that equates to 17p a frame. Not unreasonable I think.
Here are the details of my process. Can I take this opportunity to thank John who was a reassuring voice.
I developed using Fotospeed FD10 diluted 1/9 for 12 minutes. I was going to invert every minute for 10 seconds, however I had some issue with the tank that meant I had to agitate instead.
Ilford Ilfostop stop bath, a 1/19 dilution, was then poured into my Paterson tank and left for 30 seconds.
This was then followed by a 1/4 dilution of Ilford Rapid Fixer for 5 minutes. On opening the tank after the 5 minutes the film had images, hurrah.
I then washed the film for a total of about 9 minutes. I followed the same sort of procedure as I use for my colour developing, replenishing the water after a little agitation of the film in the tank. The final minute saw me add some Fotospeed Rinse Aid.
The photos come from a quite Sunday walk with a Nikon FA in hand.
For a week or two before, I have to admit to getting a little anxious about this B&W developing. However on being reminded not to ‘over think’ things, coupled with the fact I was already developing colour film allowed me to regain my confidence. To get some images was very exciting.
Over the coming weeks and months I will be exploring the hills and valleys of this photographic journey into B&W film processing. I recognise despair awaits in the valley’s. At this moment in time though I’m happy to sit on the hill and bask in the Sunlight of accomplishment.
arhphotographic 