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B&W
Film Developing
UCSD Extension |
Every lab has different steps for developing film. This is usually
determined by which chemicals are being used, the equipment available,
and the general facilities. The basic steps will remain the same
though with slight variations:
1) develop the latent image
2) stop the developer from continuing to work
3) clear the unexposed silver from the film, making it no longer
sensitive to
light
4) wash all the nasty chemicals you just put on the film, off
5) dry and store the film
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Roll Film onto Reel in complete darkness.
Your film cannot be rolled under safelight conditions because it
is panchromatic, meaning that it is sensitive to all colors of
light and represents them as shades of gray.
Pre-Wash (optional)
Remove cap and fill container with water from the tap. Don't use
very hot or very cold water. Agitate continuously for 30 seconds
to a minute. Pour out.
Seeing colored water is normal because you are removing
a dye.
Developer
Mix 1 part water with 1 part developer (working solution).
Use a thermometer to determine mixed solution's temperature.
Set your clock for the indicated time and begin pouring solution
into the container at an angle, allowing air to escape as you pour.
Put cap back on and agitate continuously (turn upside down and
back, slowly) for one minute.
Bang the container lightly on the counter to remove air bubbles.
Set the container down.
Every 30 seconds, agitate for 5 seconds (2 inversions)
15 seconds before end of development time, remove small cap and
pour developer down the drain.
Development times are determined by Film Brand, Speed
and Temperature of the working solution. Your film and
chemistry are made to work between 65 and 75 degrees
Fahrenheit, but are optimal at 68 degrees.
Stop Bath
Measure and pour in stop bath. Agitate continuously
for 15-30 seconds.
POUR STOP BATH BACK INTO THE BOTTLE!
Some labs use water instead of stop bath, in that
case fill with water and agitate for one minute continuously,
then pour out water. |
Hypo Fix (Fixer)
Measure and pour in Fixer. Agitate the same way you
did for the developer (continuously for one minute, and 5 seconds
every 30 seconds).
Fix for 6 minutes (10 minutes for T-Max Films).
POUR FIXER BACK INTO THE BOTTLE!
If you do this at home, keep in mind that it is
illegal to dispose of fixer down the drain.
Hypo-Clearing Agent
Measure and pour in Hypo-Clear.
Agitate continuously for 2 minutes.
POUR HYPO-CLEAR BACK INTO THE BOTTLE!
This is basically a detergent to clean off all of
the nasty chemicals you have put on your film thus far. Using
hypo-clear reduces wash time. Some labs choose to cut this
chemical out and just wash the film longer.
Wash
Take lid off.
Pull reels out and place them into black washing tubes. Wash
film for 10 minutes (from the last reel in)
in continuously flowing water.
Photo-Flo
Place reels into container and add photo-flo solution for 30
seconds.
POUR FOTO-FLO BACK INTO THE BOTTLE!
Photo-Flo is a "wetting agent" that helps film
dry evenly and without water spots. Ideally, it should be mixed
with distilled water.
Wipe
Use four Kim wipe tissues (folded horizontally) to squeegee
film dry.
Use only one pass.
Hang in cabinet to dry for 15-20 minutes.
If Kim wipes are not available, use your fingers to squeegee
film. |
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