Black and White film Processing

Introduction To Black And White Film Processing

All the chemicals are provided for you but if you wish to bring your own then let a technician know, because the Health & Safety regulations stress that the relevant C.O.S.H.H information must be to hand. Details of all the chemicals we currently use in the department are listed in the COSHH folder in room 241. You can process 35mm, 120 roll film and 5×4 sheet film and everything you need to do so is freely available including tanks, spools, chemicals and drying cabinets.

Equipment needed:

Film cassette opening/bottle opener and a pair of scissors (both provided in the loading bays), and a developing tank, funnel, lid, spools (also known as Auto Load Reels) and a central column.

1. Lay out the equipment on the bench before you switch off the red safe light.

2. Switch off the safe light.

3. Using the film cassette opener, remove the film lid and take the film out.

4. Carefully feel for the tongue of the film and cut it off in a straight line so that you are left with a smooth edge. Avoid cutting through the film sprocket holes.

5. Pick up a spool and feel for the raised grooves, then, holding the film by the edges, gently wind the film on by turning the ends of the spool in opposite directions.

6. When fully wound on cut off the film spool.

7. Place the spool containing the film onto the central column and then into the bottom of the tank (with an empty spool on top to keep it at the bottom, if processing one film).

8. Put the funnel lid, with the spout downwards, on the tank and twist until you hear a ‘click’. This is now light tight.

9. Place the top lid on the tank.

10. Turn the safe light back on.

If anything goes wrong or you cannot get your film onto the spool, put the film inside the tank and put the lid on to make it light tight, then come and ask for help.

Developing Procedure

Note: Different films will need different developing times and will need to be processed separately. Equipment needed: Measuring cylinder, thermometer, timer, drying cabinet.

Chemicals: ID11 Film Developer diluted 1 to 1 (1 part water to 1 part developer). Kodak Indicator Stop Bath (undiluted). Ilford Rapid Fixer (undiluted). Follow the instructions on the bottles carefully. The working solution should be at a temperature of 20°C (68°F).

DEVELOPER:

Note: Use developer only once and then pour down the sink.

1. Mixture: Dilute in equal parts with water, e.g. 150ml developer and 150ml water for one 35mm film or 250ml developer and 250ml water for one 120 roll film.

2. Temperature: 20°C (68°F). The temperature must be exact. If the working solution is too hot or too cold your film will be under or over developed. A variance of 0.5°C either way is acceptable.

3. Time: Look up the film processing time in the folders provided. Start the timer as soon as you start pouring the developer into the tank. Agitate backwards and forwards continuously for the first 30 seconds, then leave the tank to stand. Tap the tank gently to disperse any air bubbles and then agitate for 10 seconds every minute.

4. After the allotted time, pour the developer down the sink and move on to Stop Bath.

STOP BATH

Note: Do not dilute and DO NOT pour down the sink, return to bottle.

1. Temperature: Approx. 20°C.

2. Time: Agitate for 30 seconds

3. Pour back into the bottle.

FIXER

Note: Do not dilute and DO NOT pour down the sink, return to bottle.

1. Temperature: Approx. 20°C.

2. Time: 10 minutes. Agitate continuously for the first 30 seconds – 1 minute then leave the tank to stand. Then agitate for 10 seconds every minute.

3. Pour back into bottle and check that film is not pink, fix for longer if it is. Once the film has been fixed it is safe to remove the lid and funnel, but do not remove the film from the spool yet.

WASH

1. Place the spool with the film on it into the deep tank wash bath in the darkroom and turn the tap on so that the water runs continuously.

2. Temperature: Cold.

3. Time. At least 20 minutes.

ANTI‐STATIC SOLUTION (PHOTOFLO OR WETTING AGENT)

1. Mixture: A squirt of Photoflo in enough water to cover the film(s).

2. Temperature: Room temperature.

3. Time: Thirty seconds to one minute. Gently agitate. Remove film from spool and gently squeegee the excess off either using clean wet hands or a film squeegee.

DRYING

Either left to fry naturally overnight or quick dried in the drying cabinet.

1. Clip the film up in the drying cabinet and put a peg on the bottom to reduce curling.

2. Temperature: Approximately 35°C.

3. Time: Approximately 15 minutes. You must ensure your film is thoroughly dry.

4. Procedure: Always switch the fans off before opening the doors. Close the doors and switch the fans back on. Once dry, you should cut your negatives into six frame strips and file in a negative sleeve as soon as possible.