Filed under: (5.) Processing
Long Time … hello!
so i’ve been researching film processing/ developing a lot recently and ive also just (yesterday to be exact) purchased an Olympus XA3 off e bay for cheap, so im pretty stoked at the minute. i don’t always like to have my digital slr with me, sometimes it seems pretty unnecessary? and as my Ricoh is broken…yup, not much film photography happening atm. but now my apparent lack of options is no longer a problem; bring on the XA3!
another plus to getting the above object is having something i can shoot with all the time, il be able to take it everywhere, meaning when (not if, when!) i get my self sorted with some home processing/ developing equipment, i will (hopefully) have rolls and rolls and rolls and rolls and rolls of film to practice with…
its been recommended i start toying with B&W film first- apparently its financially friendlier. this suits me fine anyway, mainly for these two reasons:
1.) i dont want to end up penniless 2.) i wanted to shoot B&W in the first place!
so heres what i’ve found out…
Processing Film.
i need an inversion tank and reel, four measuring cylinders, a stop watch, one thermometer, neg clips, a stirring paddle, a changing bag, a stop clock, (about) a liter of water for a pre soak aka water, a developer, a stop bath (some people use water, others a indicator, i will try and attempt both), and a fixer.
before i can expose my film to light, i need to process the film. i place my inversion tank (lid separate), the used film, and the reel, inside my changing bag (i light proof bag). i will then try and feed the roll around the reel, after ensuring i have the start of the roll trapped in-between the reels spring clip and supporting bar. once wound all the way tight (making sure there are no kinks), place the reel inside of the inversion tank, and secure the lid stopping all light leaks.
now i have my roll ready to be chemicalarised!!! (not a word, i know!)
so what i need to do now is ensure all my chemicals are at the right temp. from what ive seen on various sites, blogs etc, 68 fahrenheit or 20 degrees celsius will suit just fine. i will need to fill my sink, bath, or any suitable container – deep enough to heat the cylinders effectively, but still shallow enough to prevent any unbalanced falls, with water heated to the correct temp, i.e 20 degrees. i will then place the four cylinders (containing the correct chemical measurements, ex. if the inversion tank is 500 ml, make sure you have 500 ml of developer, stop bath, and fixer) in the water. waiting for them to reach the right temp, 20 degrees, i can start the physical process…
Below is a Conversion chart based on Ilfords. it is essential to know just how long you should carry out the conversions for. this chart will be key in my success.
first, i will remove the cap, NOT the lid! on the inversion tank, and pour in the pre soak or wetting agent. (apparently not everyone uses a pre soak, but i will try it as some say it it ‘brings the films emulsion up to temp thus creating some level of consistency’.) once the pre soak is inside the tank, turn it upside down and back again for a 1 – 2 minuites. make sure you rid the film of any air bubbles by tapping the tank in-between inversions. (it isn’t as essential to keep a strict set times for the pre soak as it is for say the developer.) then pour the water away.
second, il poor my developer into the tank and start my stop watch. invert the tank four times at the start of each minutes tapping the tank to dislodge the air bubbles. after the correct developing time (see temp/ time chart above to see how long that is) pour out the developer.
third, I’ll pour my stop bath into the tank and agitate for the recommended time (again see chart). then il pour out my stop bath.
step four, il pour in my fixer and initially invert four times. then invert four times every thirty seconds for the recommended time, remembering to get rid of any unwanted air bubbles by tapping the tank on your work surface. when the time is up, il pour out my fixer.
next step will be to wash the film. i’ve found out there are a few ways in which i can do this. i think when i actually come to do this for real, i will try and find the method i like the best by experimenting with them.
method 1 – Ilford Method
having already poured out all of my fixer, i will fill my tank up with water and invert 5 times. then pour this water away. il repeat this, only this time im inverting the tank 10 times. and finally repeat this again, but now im inverting the tank 20 times. then empty the tank. my film is now ready to develop : ] (apparently!)
Method 2 – Paterson Force Washer
first i will have to connect the washer with my tank (basically a long tube that funnels water from your tap) and leave to wash for 5 – 10 mins. next il need a wetting agent where i can agitate the reel for one minute. then i can twist open my reel and end the processing process!
so there you have it, my first instalment of research…hope it is clear/ accurate. if you see any flaws or errors in there, please comment to let me know, id very much appreciate the help!
my next post will be coming soon, really soon hopefully, im just sorting through some old photographs ready to upload. anyway…byeee
