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How to Develop Black-and-White Film

By eHow Electronics Editor

Develop Black-and-White Film

Rate: (62 Ratings)

Developing your own film requires precision and practice, but, once mastered, gives you greater control over the final image.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately challenging

Things You’ll Need:

Negative Storage Files
Stirring Rods
Thermometers
Scissors
Storage Bottles
Darkroom Timers
Developing Tank And Reels
Film-hanging Clips
Fixer
Hypo Clearing Agent
Plastic Graduates
Stop Bath

Loading the Film

Step1

Take film, bottle opener, scissors, developing tank and reels into a lightproof room.

Step2

Organize the materials on a table.

Step3

Turn off the light.

Step4

Open the film canister at either end with the bottle opener.

Step5

Take the film out of the canister and cut off the tab at the end to create a straight edge.

Step6

Insert the edge into the clip at the center of the reel.

Step7

Thread the film between the wire spiral on the top and bottom of the reel.

Step8

Pull the end of the film off the spool and remove the tape.

Step9

Drop the loaded reel into the developing tank and secure the lid.

Step10

Turn the light back on.

Step11

Remove the top lid from the developing tank.

Developing the Film

Step1

Mix chemicals according to directions. Keep the chemicals in collapsible storage containers.

Step2

Pour 8 oz. developer into the top of the tank when using an 8-oz. developing tank.

Step3

Tap the tank against the counter to dislodge bubbles.

Step4

Agitate the tank by slowly inverting it and turning it back over for the first 15 seconds.

Step5

Repeat every 30 seconds for the recommended time (usually 5 to 8 minutes).

Step6

Pour the developer back into the storage container.

Step7

Pour stop bath into the now-empty developing tank.

Step8

Agitate the stop bath and let stand for 1 minute.

Step9

Pour out the stop bath and replace with fixer.

Step10

Agitate the fixer for 15 seconds and then for 15 seconds once every minute for the allotted time.

Step11

Pour the fixer back into its bottle.

Step12

Remove the lid of the tank and run water into the tank for 15 minutes.

Step13

Add wetting agent to the water to expedite drying.

Step14

Remove the film from the tank.

Step15

Attach a clip to the end of the film, pull the film off the reel and attach another clip at the opposite end.

Step16

Hang the film in a dry, dust-free area.

Step17

Store dry negatives in plastic negative sleeves.

Tips & Warnings

Practice loading discarded film onto reels before loading unexposed film in the dark.
Keep materials close at hand when in a lightproof room.
Plastic tanks with easy-load reels are an alternative to stainless steel tanks and reels.
The optimal temperature for most developers is 68 degrees F. Processing at a significantly higher or lower temperature will result in soft, easily damaged film or flat negatives.
Do not remove the top of the developing tank to look at the film until after the fixing stage.
Use storage bottles that are just the right size for the amount of developer you are mixing. Label a chemical with its name, date and dilution.
Begin timing each step as you pour chemicals into the developing tank, and start draining chemicals 10 seconds before the time is up.