I just developed my first roll this past weekend. I was scared to death to even try it, but then a bunch of really nice folks told me how easy it was and described it in such a way to make it much less scary.
It was about $100 worth of stuff....
-Changing Bag
-Chemicals - in my case Diafine, Kodak Rapid Fixer, PhotoFlo
-Developing Tank and reel(s) - Paterson or AP
-Some plastic measuring cups - graduates are the best way to go - I got one set that included many different sizes, plus 3 individual ones of the same size (300ml)
-a couple of funnels
-a pair of scissors
-bottle opener (the cheap metal hand-held one)
-latex or vinyl gloves
-3 (at least) 1 gallon contains - the ones made for photograph chemicals are cheap (dark brown)
-Film clips or clothes pins
-negative sleeves
I found it all through amazon.
The developing process (using Diafine - which is very stable and requires much less worry about temperature)
Mix all chemicals according to instructions into 1 gallon jugs using distilled water. Label all bottles clearly and date them (so you don't get them mixed up). Don't premix PhotoFlo.
Measure out how much of each you need (the size required for the developing tank you're using) into measuring graduates.
Measure out 1 equal container of distilled water.
Mix and measure out 1 equal container of PhotoFlo.
In changing bag, load film on reel and put it in developing tank. This is the hardest part! You'll have to practice with an old roll of film ahead of time so you can learn to do it "blind" (once your arms are inside the changing bag you can't see it and are working blind).
Once film is in the developing tank with lid locked in place, take it out of changing bag and you no longer need darkness.
Pour in Diafine A. Twist and rotate twice and tap on counter. Do this every minute for 4 minutes. Dump Dianfine A back in your mixed 1 gallon bottle of Diafine A (it's reusable!)
Pour in Diafine B. Twist and rotate twice and tap on counter. Do this every minute for 4 minutes. Dump Dianfine B back in your mixed 1 gallon bottle of Diafine B (it's also reusable!)
Pour in distilled water. Agitate for 30 seconds to a minute and dump down the drain.
Pour in Fixer. Twist and roatate twice and tap on counter. Repeat agitation every minute for 6-8 minutes. Dump fixer back in your mixed 1 gallon bottle of Fixer (it's reusable too!)
Rinse your film with tap water (some people prefer distilled). Fill the tank, agitate, dump. Repeat at last 5 times.
Pour in PhotoFlo. Gentle agitation for 1 minutes. Dump down drain.
Take out your film. It's now developed! Hang in your shower to dry (don't cut it yet). One clip at top where it hangs from, one clip at bottom to weigh it down so it doesn't curl. Leave it to dry. It should dry in 4-8 hours, but if you can leave it overnight, all the better.
Cut and put into sleeves
And all this sounds a lot more complicated than it is! It all happens in less than 30 minutes and the amazing feeling of satisfaction you'll feel after your first roll is great! I was like a kid on christmas morning. I've learned all this in the matter of the last two weeks... so DO NOT BE AFRAID! You CAN do it!
One disclaimer - Diafine "pushes" your film... so 400 you have to shoot at 800 or 1250 and 100 your have to shoot at 200 or 400. Rodinal (another developer) is supposed to be very easy to use too (though I haven't tried) and doesn't push your film. I decided to start with Diafine because it's so easy.
Amy
One of my first developed photos:
--
Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep.
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