Time to start developing myself

[SoulfulRecover]

Again the local shop failed to send out my film to the other shop in town to be processed. So I think its time to start developing my own 4x5s. I haven't done it in 13 years so what should I be looking into as far as chemicals for B&W? I seem to see everyone talking about Dektol?

Anywho, Id love some recommendations.

Gonna go find a developing canister now

 

[dxqcanada]

13yrs ... that's not long ago ... last time I did that (4x5) was in the late 80's.

Hmm, developers tend to be a personal thing.
In college, the norm was D-76 ... probably since it was economical and in power form (longer shelf life when bought in bulk).

 

[dxqcanada]

Hmm, or was it HC-110?

These days I tend to use Ilford chemistry or Rodinol for 35mm and medium format.

... though I still long for the days of huge negs.

 

[compur]

I seem to see everyone talking about Dektol?

Dektol is a paper developer.

Maybe you're thinking of Xtol? It's a top notch developer.

 

[Derrel]

Developers for films are a personal matter, and also somewhat film-dependent. T-Max Developer was great for T-Max films! I like D-76, and also D-76 diluted 1:1 with water, and HC-110 Dilution B. I used those film developers for Tri-X or Plus-X Pan films. I have developed a lot of Tri-X 35mm size film in Rodinal...I regret almost every single roll thusly developed...

 

[limr]

Well, you know what I am going to say... hope you don't mind the smell of instant coffee!







(coughcoughCAFFENOLcoughcough)

 

[webestang64]

Diehard D-76 guy here.......X-Tol for 3200 speed films (I've shot 3200 at 25000 and used X-Tol and had great detail).

 

[vintagesnaps]

If you're going to develop yourself you're going to need an awfully tall tank.


Bad one, I know... lol

 

[webestang64]

If you're going to develop yourself you're going to need an awfully tall tank.


Bad one, I know... lol

Now that there is a comedy joke..........

 

[terri]

I tend to stick with TMax for TMax film, and D76 for everything else. Not much variety there, admittedly. I do want to give HC 110 a try, and Leo has me interested in Caffenol, since she clearly gets good results.

But until then, I can stand by the other two.

 

[SoulfulRecover]

I seem to see everyone talking about Dektol?

Dektol is a paper developer.

Maybe you're thinking of Xtol? It's a top notch developer.

Probably Xtol. I was probably floating around the paper section of the large format forum and Dektol stuck in my mind for whatever reason.

I shoot Ilford Delta 100 for B&W if that matters in the decision of what to use

 

[SoulfulRecover]

Well, you know what I am going to say... hope you don't mind the smell of instant coffee!







(coughcoughCAFFENOLcoughcough)

I purchased everything for caffenol a year or so ago and Im not sure if we still have it all. Ill have to go digging around the apartment

 

[480sparky]

If you're going to develop yourself you're going to need an awfully tall tank.


Bad one, I know... lol

Bathtub.

 

[Dave Colangelo]

I just started developing at home and so far have gone ilford across the board with really great results (6 rolls so far). I shoot 120 but its all film in the end of the day. Ilford has really nice documentation for all their developers and films which makes it super easy. DD-x IlfoStop and Ilford Rapix fixer from BH will run you ~$30. Throw in a thermometer, tank, and set of mix up cups to hit the free shipping limit and you are good to go.

Dave

 

[SoulfulRecover]

got my film back today and the scans. Turns out they only scanned at 600 dpi instead of the 2400 dpi I paid for. Looks like I will have another 2-3 day wait for them to fix this.