Introduction to Photography
Processing Black & White Film
Equipment:
Film tank with cover, Reel, Film cassette opener, Scissors
In Dark Room or changing bag:
Open film cassette, pull out film, trim end square with scissors, load film on reel, put reel with film in tank and cover.
THE REMAINDER of the PROCESS can be done with ROOM LIGHTS ON (keep the tank lid on)
Developing Film Steps:
Chemicalls needed: Developer, Stop Bath, Fixer, Hypo clear, wetting agent

Developer time is very important - stop and fix can safely go longer than recommended time

1) Make sure all chemicals are up to the same temperature
2) Measure developer temperature, determine developing time from data sheet
Developing times for Kodak D-76 diluted 1:1

Film
65°
68°
70°
72°
75°
Kodak Tri-X 400
11
10
9 1/2
9
8

Kodak T-Max 400

14 1/2

12 1/2

11

10

9
Ilford HP5 400
12 1/2
11
10
9
8
Ilford Delta 400
15 1/2
14
12
11
10
Arista EDU 400
14 1/2
12 1/2
11
10
9


T-Max Processing Times ~~~ TriX Processing Times Complete Tri-X data sheet (PDF) Arista-EDU data Sheet (PDF)

3) Pre soak the film by filling the tank with plain water through small opening
4) Empty pre-soak - pour in Developer - start timer
5) Cap small opening, Rap tank to dislodge bubbles, agitate gently for 30 sec.
6) Agitate every 30 sec till completion of time (Gently turn tank over 2 times)

7) Remove small cap on tank, empty developer
8) Fill with Stop Bath, Cap, agitate for 30 sec. Empty Stop Bath in container to save
9) Pour in Fixer, cap, agitate continuously 30 sec. then 5 sec every minute till complete
(time varies depending on fixer and type of film T-Max takes longer to fix)

Now it is safe to expose film to light
Check your film for proper fixing. If there is a strong purple color, re-fix for a few more minutes.

10) Rinse in water one minute
11) agitate in Hypo clearing agent one minute and wash in water for 3 minutes- or wash in water for ten minutes
12) soak in Photo-flo (wetting agent) for 30 sec. Three drops of photo-flo in film tank of clean water.
13) Remove film from reel, drain
14) Hang to dry
15) Use light table (not dirty counter tops) to examine and cut film.
Cut in 5 or 6 frame lengths to fit your film sleeve. Do not cut in single frame length-
16) Store film in plastic film sleeves.

Identify your film with your name, and date and roll number. Log film in written record.

Treat your film very carefully. Keep it clean.

Lessons learned the hard way:
-No light is safe for FILM- Load your film in Total Darkness - red "safe lights" will ruin film.Make sure the tank cover is on tight. Light is quicker than your hand. Once it slips open in light- your film is probably ruined. The only way to check is to go through the whole process.

Another lesson learned the hard way:
Have all chemicals ready before you get your film wet. You can't stop & start over if once you start.Make sure you have the correct chemicals. Developer looks a lot like fixer. Use labels to mark them, test if in doubt.

Tri-X Complete Data Sheet from Kodak T-Max Complete Data Sheet from Kodak

Kodak Film Comparison Data Sheets

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Paul Pearce