Rhl0630

I have everything you need. Reasonable. I will include instructions

rberman

Great. Looking for a changing bag, development tank and reels for 120 film, measuring jugs , funnel, thermometer , sponge tongs, timer, and whatever else I’ll need for developing film. Also looking for a scanner. I was about to order a Patterson starter kit from B&H that included chemicals for one roll for $100. But I’ll wait to hear from you about what you’ve got and price. Thanks so much. Peace. Richard.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

There are still tons of resources available online and on YouTube, especially. A Google search will likely find you what you need.

I use a 50 year old set of Honeywell Nikor (yes, that brand has only one k) tanks and reels for both 35mm and 120 films. They are virtually indestructible. The stainless steel cleans easily and transfers heat from a tempered water bath kept stable with a mixing faucet or by a sous vide (perfect for E6 or C41 processes). Lots of the tanks are available on the Internet from used gear dealers or eBay. New plastic tanks are also available, but if you drop them, well... Let's just say they may break. (I only had to break one as a teenager in the 1960s.)

All the major online stores such as B&H and Adorama still carry darkroom gear. You may need the following:

Darkroom Timer (I used a GraLab 300 from 1969, but would use my iPhone now.)

Graduated Cylinders (for mixing chemicals — get several sizes such as gallon/4 liters, quart/liter, pint/500ml, 2 ounces/60ml)

"Dial and Stem" Stainless Steel Thermometer accurate to ±0.5°F from 65°F to 105°F

Tempered Water source (deep kitchen sink with mixing faucet, large deep tray with sous vide, etc.)

Chemical storage bottles (dark brown glass or plastic made for chemicals)

Small and Tall Stirring Paddles (for mixing chemicals)

Darkroom Apron

Clothes Pins (spring clamp type for hanging film to dry and weighting it so it won't curl)

Film Squeegee (to avoid water spots — store in sealed plastic bag!

Developer, Stop Bath, Fixer, Hypo Clearing Agent, Photo Flo 200 (wetting agent)

Washing Hose that adapts to your faucet and fits your tank

NegaFile glassines for negative storage (or polypropylene negative filing pages)

Scissors (to cut film)

Changing bag or room with ABSOLUTE TOTAL DARKNESS for reel and tank loading

"Practice film" to ruin during the tank loading learning process

If you ever do 35mm developing, add a film retrieval device (I hate them) or a "church key" (lift type bottle opener).

Finally, you need to choose chemicals. MANY developers are still available. The "Massive Dev Chart" is a great resource. It is available as an app for smartphones or as a website:

https://www.digitaltruth.com/devchart.php

Flatbed scanners costing $230 to $1200 do an "okay" job of scanning film, but they are very slow and not terribly sharp. So I've attached a PDF of a white paper I wrote on using a digital camera to copy your negatives and slides...

Good luck! By the way, dry to dry for most black-and-white processes is under two hours.

Attached file:
(Download)

elee950021 Loc: New York, NY

A good resource is Freestyle Photo, see: https://www.freestylephoto.biz They have a large inventory of standard and specialty film, photo paper and chemicals, processing equipment and accessories online.

I have one of their last printed catalogs which I have kept for old times' sake. B&H still prints a yearly free giant catalog of camera, video and computer equipment which also has a section for current available film and processing items. The catalog would be good for the current cost of items you will need in your pursuit. Best of luck and you can always get answers to any questions by posting here.

Be well! Ed

rberman

Thanks Bill. Great info. Just got the app you recommended. And trying to find used equipment but might have to buy Patterson beginning kit that has most equipment except changing bag for $100. There are some members that may come through. I like your article on scanning with a digital camera but I don’t have digital camera just film cameras so I will be looking for a scanner also. Again thanks for all the information. I appreciate it. Peace. Richard

rberman

Thanks Ed. I will check them out right away. Peace. Richard

twowindsbear

Do you have a smart phone?? 'Scan' you negatives with it!

rberman

Never thought of that. I’ll try that. Thanks. Richard.

topcat Loc: Alameda, CA

I used to develop my own B&W, but as I don't shoot it as much anymore, I use The Darkroom.