New to film, looking for advice please.

[Canuk]

I am new to film, and would like to get into processing and printing my own black and white photos.
I have done a fair amount of research and have found a complete darkroom/devolping kit on kijiji for what I consider fairly reasonable.
I am looking for suggestions for film and chemicals that are easy to work with for a first timer.
The processing equipment also comes with some books that I will be sure to read for even more pointer, but really have no idea when it comes to chemicals.

Thanks in advance for you time.

[Ads]

[Marcelle]

film Ilford FP4 or HP5
film developer rodinal/ADONAL
paper processing for multigrade paper Tetenal Variospeed
paper processing for any paper Tetenal Eukobrom

[Canuk]

Thank you very much for your response, I will look into finding a supplier for those chemicals.

[christopher walrath]

I have a write up on basic darkroom processing on my website. Might check it out. There are many ways to go regarding chemistry. The Ilford chems are a good reliable way to go. I would recommend some Kodak chemistry such as HC110 developer, Kodak Indicator Stop Bath and Kodafix. However, the Great Yellow Father seems to be continually circling around the bottom of the big white bowl so there's no knowing how much longer their soup will be available.

Film, again, I love Kodak TMax 400 but how long can you get it? Ilford is a good way to go there as well as they are continually devoting their energies toward the film photography community. Paper, I love Oriental Seagull's papers. Arista.edu papers are great for beginners from freestlyephoto.biz

There are as many combos as there are photographers who use them. Just pick something and go for it.

[Canuk]

Just an update, I was having a hard time trying to find chemicals that I could get relatively locally. McBain Camera's main store in Edmonton, thankfully still stocks film and B/W chemicals.
So I picked up some Ilford HP5 400 and ready to get started. I also picked up Ilford chemicals and some 5x7 paper to start with.
The darkroom set up I found has enough parts and pieces for 2-3 complete darkrooms so I think I'm all set now.
I will post some pics of my set up once I get everything figured out.

[gsgary]

If you can't get Adonal (new name for Rodinal) you can get a cheaper version that is as good called RO9

[Sw1tchFX]

Caffenol or GTFO.

[Mike_E]

Caffenol or GTFO.

Caffenol: Hello

[djacobox372]

Just stic to liquid developer and mix it up fresh from concentrate each time. Rodinal or hc110 are the most popular.

[brianentz]

You never regret reading the book "the film developing cookbook" by Stephen anchel. A great education.

[timor]

film Ilford FP4 or HP5
film developer rodinal/ADONAL
paper processing for multigrade paper Tetenal Variospeed
paper processing for any paper Tetenal Eukobrom

Hi Canuk. Welcome to film photography. It is wholly different ball game. I hope you will stick with it for a while as there is a lot to learn. As you will discover 150+ years of development accumulated quite a bit of knowledge. It is great, that you have a space for a darkroom, that's usually the biggest obstacle for many.

Marcelle, reality check, those materials (less the film) are not available in Canada. We have here expensive Ilford and much more affordable Kodak chemicals and that's what I would suggest for starters. Polymax T, HC110 and Kodafix. This are concentrates easy to work with. There is a plenty of info about HC110 on the net or OP can always ask here. As a paper RC VC should be the most practical for starters and after all they are not so bad.
Quick info about HC110:
Kodak HC-110 Developer - Unofficial Resource Page
Kodak HC-110 made simple

[timor]

However, the Great Yellow Father seems to be continually circling around the bottom of the big white bowl so there's no knowing how much longer their soup will be available.

Kodak is not making this chemicals for years now. The production is in the hands of Canadian company from Brampton ON. operating the plant in Rochester NY. The company name is Champion. Who knows if the Ilford chemicals sold in North America are not coming from the same plant.

[timor]

If you can't get Adonal (new name for Rodinal) you can get a cheaper version that is as good called RO9

Canadian name for Adonal or former Rodinal is now Blazinal. I don't know why, patents maybe ?

[gsgary]

D-76
1. Metol 2grams
2. sodium Sulphite (crist) 200grams
or sodium Sulphite (anyhydrous)
3. Hydroqueuinone 5grams
4. Borax 2grams
5. water 1000cc

[bhop]

Just stic to liquid developer and mix it up fresh from concentrate each time. Rodinal or hc110 are the most popular.

I agree on the liquid developer. I use Clayton F76 developer and Arista for the rest, all available from Freestyle photo.. dunno if they ship liquid chemicals to Canada though..