B&W film and developer: I think a while back Bob said he roll his own bulk 35mm B&W and develop them himself very inexpensively. I am not a B&W shooter but I think I would start doing...

BebuLamar

I think a while back Bob said he roll his own bulk 35mm B&W and develop them himself very inexpensively. I am not a B&W shooter but I think I would start doing it for the fun of it. I have done both B&W for a short time and color processing for a long time.
If Bob reads this please post again or refer to you old post. I primarily want to use my film cameras. They are going dead not being used.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

BebuLamar wrote:

I think a while back Bob said he roll his own bulk 35mm B&W and develop them himself very inexpensively. I am not a B&W shooter but I think I would start doing it for the fun of it. I have done both B&W for a short time and color processing for a long time.
If Bob reads this please post again or refer to you old post. I primarily want to use my film cameras. They are going dead not being used.

Not to preempt Bob’s response, but you just need a bulk film loader like the one shown below (typically about $30 used), cassettes and a 100’ roll of your favorite film. I have and like the original Kodak one.

BebuLamar

Thanks Tri X. I don't know what kind of film stock he used but I just checked price bulk loading isn't significantly cheaper than buy the rolls.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

BebuLamar wrote:

Thanks Tri X. I don't know what kind of film stock he used but I just checked price bulk loading isn't significantly cheaper than buy the rolls.

I take your point. I see 100’ rolls of Tri-X at $154 which will make 18 36 exposure rolls, and depending on where you buy it, a 36 exposure roll varies from $10-12/roll. I don’t think I’d roll it for the difference, but maybe Bob has a different source for different film.

Anyone want to buy a Kodak bulk film loader? I have a nice one.

Sidwalkastronomy Loc: New Jersey Shore

Before you buy that 100 ft roll of film check out the cost of memory cards from B&H.

BebuLamar

Sidwalkastronomy wrote:

Before you buy that 100 ft roll of film check out the cost of memory cards from B&H.

Why?

Sidwalkastronomy Loc: New Jersey Shore

Cost per photo is one, time and effort for home b&w, and ease of taking multiple shots, chemical exposure. I had a darkroom in my house for 30 plus years. Love digital now.

BebuLamar

Sidwalkastronomy wrote:

Cost per photo is one, time and effort for home b&w, and ease of taking multiple shots, chemical exposure. I had a darkroom in my house for 30 plus years. Love digital now.

I've done limited amount of B&W darkroom work but I've done about 30 years of color darkroom work. B&W isn't any worse than color. I enjoy doing it. It's the cost that keep me from doing it. I am looking into B&W because I think it's less expensive than color.
This is the film forum so you don't think anyone should shoot film than you should not frequent this forum.
Thank you.

Sidwalkastronomy Loc: New Jersey Shore

BebuLamar wrote:

I've done limited amount of B&W darkroom work but I've done about 30 years of color darkroom work. B&W isn't any worse than color. I enjoy doing it. It's the cost that keep me from doing it. I am looking into B&W because I think it's less expensive than color.
This is the film forum so you don't think anyone should shoot film than you should not frequent this forum.
Thank you.

I never said that. You said that. Dont put words in my mouth. You can do as you like. 50 years ago I don't think we we in tune to the possible damage chemicals can do to you and your health. In general if you smell the chemicals it may not be good for you. I still have 2 enlargers but being able to take 7000 jpegs on a 64 card is convent.
I love b&w and take them with my Canon set to monochrome but I'm not happy with results so far.
If b&w were still the cats meow companies would still be making them. I have 2 great film cameras Olympus OM2's that I'll have to dig out.

BebuLamar

Sidwalkastronomy wrote:

I never said that. You said that. Dont put words i... (show quote)

I don't appeciate your concern.

Sidwalkastronomy Loc: New Jersey Shore

🤣🤣

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Back on subject, I’m always interested in what films and film developers people use. Of course I shoot Tri-X, Fuji Acros and have tried some TMax and Ilford FP5. I typically develop in D76 or Acufine, and have occasionally used HC110 and even Microdol. What are your favorites? BTW with decent ventilation, B&W chemicals don’t worry me - much safer than some color chemistry. Although I have a color darkroom, since Cibachrome (which were beautiful prints) is gone, I just do B&W.

I haven’t seen Bob Marlaz post in awhile, but I’m guessing E.L. Shapiro and Bill Burke might be good sources for B&W film/developing information.

BebuLamar

As I said I didn't do much B&W. What I did was for about a year of so I shot Tri-X and developed in D-76. I did alright but since I don't shoot well in B&W I did color. So I did C-41, E-6 and EP-2 and later RA-4 processing. I managed a 1 hour photolab in the early 80's as well. I know the danger of the chemicals but it's a minor thing compared to other stuff. When I got rid of the darkroom (I moved) and sold my enlarger I swith from color neg to slide. But now the price of slide film is much too high and I can't afford it.
I am really looking for an economical way of shooting film again. I like to shoot film. I won't be doing any printing as I don't have a darkroom any more but I can process the film with only a changing bag, a film drum&reels, etc.. which I still have some.

Sidwalkastronomy Loc: New Jersey Shore

I had a different way to print that I learned for doing printing for a year book.
I don't remember what it was called but the paper had the chemicals infused and you put the paper into this machine that had rollers and two trays of solution, one called activator, one called stabilizer. Total time in machine under a minute. The only way to adjust the final print was to vary the exposure time of enlarger exposure. You could still dodge and burn and as a bonus you had a print in under a minute. Downside was the prints weren't permanent but if you wanted them to last there was a solution you could use in a tray, was it possible it could have been regular fixer? That was close to 40 years ago.