Processing film at home involves a series of chemical steps to develop the latent image captured on the film, making it visible and permanent. Here's a step-by-step guide:
1. Gather Your Supplies
Before you begin, ensure you have all the necessary equipment and chemicals:
- Film Developer: Select a developer based on the film type and desired look (e.g., Ilford ID-11, Kodak D-76).
- Stop Bath: An acidic solution to quickly halt the development process (usually diluted acetic acid).
- Fixer: Removes undeveloped silver halide crystals, making the image permanent (e.g., Ilford Rapid Fixer, Kodak Fixer).
- Wetting Agent: Reduces water spots during drying (e.g., Ilford Ilfotol, Kodak Photo-Flo).
- Developing Tank and Reels: Light-tight tank and reels to hold the film during processing.
- Thermometer: To ensure accurate chemical temperatures.
- Timer: For precise timing of each step.
- Measuring Cylinders: To accurately measure chemical volumes.
- Film Changing Bag or Darkroom: To load the film onto the reel in complete darkness.
- Film Clips: For hanging the film to dry.
- Distilled or Filtered Water: For mixing chemicals and rinsing.
2. Prepare the Chemistry
- Mixing: Dilute the developer, stop bath, and fixer according to the manufacturer's instructions. Use distilled or filtered water for best results.
- Temperature: Ensure all chemicals are at the recommended temperature (usually 20°C / 68°F). Use a water bath to adjust the temperature if needed.
3. Load the Film onto the Reel
This step must be done in complete darkness. Use a film changing bag or a darkroom:
- Open the film canister with a bottle opener or film canister opener.
- Carefully extract the film and load it onto the developing reel. Practice with a waste roll of film in the light first.
- Once the film is on the reel, place the reel into the developing tank and seal the tank.
4. Pre-Wash (Optional)
A pre-wash can help remove any anti-halation layers or dyes on the film, promoting more even development.
- Fill the tank with water at the same temperature as your developer.
- Agitate the tank for 1-2 minutes.
- Discard the water.
5. Develop the Film
- Pour the developer into the tank.
- Start the timer and agitate the tank according to the developer's instructions (e.g., continuous agitation for the first 30 seconds, followed by intermittent agitation every minute).
- At the end of the development time, pour the developer out. Note: Some people save the developer for reuse. Follow the directions that come with your developer.
6. Stop Bath
- Pour the stop bath into the tank.
- Agitate for 30-60 seconds.
- Pour the stop bath out. Note: Stop bath can generally be reused until it is exhausted.
7. Fix the Film
- Pour the fixer into the tank.
- Agitate according to the fixer's instructions (usually 2-5 minutes with intermittent agitation).
- Pour the fixer out. Note: Fixer can also be reused.
8. Washing
Thoroughly wash the film to remove all traces of chemicals.
- Fill the tank with water, invert the tank five times, and discard the water. Repeat this process several times (e.g., 5-10 times).
- Alternatively, use a washing method like the Ilford Method: Fill the tank, invert it five times, let it stand for 2 minutes. Empty, fill again, invert ten times, let it stand for 4 minutes. Empty, fill again, invert twenty times, and let stand for one minute.
- A final wash aid can be used.
9. Final Rinse with Wetting Agent
- Dilute the wetting agent according to the instructions.
- Pour the wetting agent solution into the tank.
- Agitate gently for 30 seconds.
- Hang the film to dry. Do not wipe the film.
10. Drying
- Hang the film in a dust-free area using film clips. Attach one clip to the top of the film and another to the bottom to help it hang straight.
- Allow the film to dry completely, which can take several hours or overnight.
Once the film is dry, you can cut it into strips and store it in archival sleeves. Now it's ready for scanning or printing!
