Developing Black & White Film

Getting the Film into the Developing Tank

Push the Film Release button.  Rewind completely, and then remove cartridge from the camera

Place these items in the INNER bag of a dark bag:

· Film cartridge

· Tank assembly (make sure all these pieces fit together):

o Tank

o White spool that you’ve practiced with

o Black spindle that fits the bottom of the tank and spool

o Lid that fits over spindle

· Scissors

Zip up the dark bag (both zippers) and put your arms in, making sure there are no light leaks.

Remove the twist-off end from the cartridge, and pull the film spool out.  Touch the film only by the sides and ends.

Cut the leading edge of the film square if necessary.

Thread the film onto the spool, and push/pull past the ball-bearings

Wind the film onto the spool.

Cut off the cartridge spool BEFORE the tape – tape left on your film will turn to GOO!!!

Put the spool on the spindle, and then into the tank, with the spindle base down.

Screw the lid on the tank.  Remove it from the bag, and return the scissors and 3 pieces of the cartridge.

Developing

Volume of Liquids Required: 250 ml.  Measure this using the graduated cylinders.  Rinse with water before each new chemical.

Only start this stage if:

· You have enough time to get at least through the Fixer stage and clean up: at least 15 minutes.

· AND you’re sure there’s enough of each liquid in the “Working”/”Diluted” jugs.

All Liquids must come from a 5 litre jug labeled “Working” or “Diluted”.

Never return liquids to the same jug – always dispose according to the table below.

While the film is each liquid, measure out the next one.

The time in the developer is critical.  Dump it and add stop bath after exactly 6 minutes.

Be CAREFUL!  Pour only at the back counter.  Use a rinsed funnel where appropriate.

Liquid	Time	Agitation	Disposal
Film Developer	6 minutes (be ready with the stop bath at exactly 6 minutes)	Swirl gently every 30 seconds	Large disposal jug labeled “Developer and Stop Bath Waste”
Stop Bath	>= 1 minute	Constant swirling	Same as developer
Fixer	>= 5 minutes	Swirl gently every 30 seconds	5 litre jug labeled “Fixer Return”
Water wash	>= 10 minutes	Remove lid; Rinse and dump; let water flow	drain
Photo-Flow	30 seconds	swirl	drain

Dump the Photo-flow down the drain (it’s just a special dilute detergent).

Remove the film from the spool, putting the spool back together immediately.

Strip excess water off with clean fingers or the film squeegee.

Hang on the rack, weighted with a clothespin at the bottom.

CLEAN UP! 

· Rinse and drain the tank components. 

· Return them to the shelf. 

· Return working solutions to the 3^rd drawer down. 

· Put scissors etc. away.

· Clean and dry the counter with paper towels