Processing Films

Processing film is much easier than you think. Time, temperature, and agitation are critical. Read manufacturers instructions carefully for correct processing. If you follow these carefully, you can get excellent results.

Equipment

Film tanks and reels, separate bottles for each solutions, graduates, thermometer, timer, film clips, scissors, mixing rods, tempering box or plastic bowl.

Step by step processing

Step one: Loading film 35mm: Cut off the leader of 35mm film. In complete darkness, remove the top of the cassette using a bottle opener. Loading film 120 and 220 formats: Separate the roll film from its backing paper (120 rolls). Unwind until you reach the end of the film.

Step two: Using plastic tanks & reels: Set the two reel halves to correct width for your film and lock. In darkness or in a changing bag, push the film on to the outer groove. Rotate the reels halves back and forth until you have cranked the whole film to the reel. Cut the end of the film. Using metal tanks & reels: In darkness or in a changing bag, clip the film end to the core. Turn the reel while pressing the side of the film. Cut the end of the film.

Black and White Films:

Recommended temperature: 68 degrees F, 20 degrees C. Solutions: Developer, Stop bath, fixer, Clearing agent (optional), wetting agent (optional). See manufacturers instructions for mixing solutions, time, and temperature.
Mix developer and bring to 68 F (20 C). Keep other solutions within 5 degrees F (3 degrees C) of this.

  1. Pour in developer taking 10 seconds. Start timer.
  2. tap the tank to dislodge air bubbles. Agitate the solution by inverting the film tank every 30 second.
  3. 10 seconds before end of the development period, drain the tank. Discard or re bottle the developer.
  4. Pour in stop bath and agitate as before. Return stop bath to its bottle for reuse.
  5. Pour in fixer and agitate the film tank. Return fixer to its bottle for reuse.
  6. Wash film for 30 min. or Use hypo clearing agent and wash film for only 5 min. Hypo clearing agent is poured in the tank same as other solutions. Agitate every 30 sec.
  7. At the end of washing add a few drops of wetting agent. This will stop water spots on the film. Note that wetting agents are very difficult to remove from reels. It can make reels sticky and difficult to load films. You can place your films in separate tray and add wetting agents.
  8. Wipe the film with film squeegee. Hang film to dry.

Recommended reading:

Color negatives (C-41)



Recommended temperature: 100 degrees F ( 38 C). Solutions: Color developer, bleach, fix, or Blix (combination of bleach and fixer in a single step), stabilizer. See manufacturers instructions for mixing solutions, time, temperature.

  1. Bring chemicals to correct temperature. Pour in color developer taking about 10 sec. Agitate every 30 sec.
  2. Pour out color developer. Pour in bleach. Agitate every 30 sec. (if you are using Blix, rinse film after color developer for 3 min).
  3. Pour out bleach. Rinse film for 3 min.
  4. Pour in fixer. Agitate every 30 sec. Pour out fixer (or Blix).
  5. Wash film for 5 min.
  6. Soak film in stabilizer for 1 min. Do this in a separate tray.
  7. Hang film to dry.

Color slides (E-6)

Recommended temperature: 100 degrees F ( 38 C). Solutions: First developer, Color developer, bleach, fix, or Blix (combination of bleach and fixer in a single step), stabilizer. See manufacturers instructions for mixing solutions, time, temperature.

  1. Pre heat tank for 5 min. in water bath or tempering box. Do not pre heat by adding water into the tank.
  2. Pour first developer taking 10 sec. Agitate every 30 sec.
  3. Pour out developer. Wash for 3 min.
  4. Pour in reversal bath.
  5. Pour out reversal bath and pour in color developer. Agitate every 30 sec.
  6. Pour out color developer and the conditioner in.
  7. Bleach the film after conditioner and follow by the fixer.
  8. Wash film for 5 min after fixer.
  9. Soak film for 1/2 to 1 min in stabilizer.
  10. Hang the film up to dry.

For three step solutions follow these steps:

  1. Pre heat tank for 5 min. in water bath or tempering box. Do not pre heat by adding water into the tank.
  2. Pour first developer taking 10 sec. Agitate every 30 sec.
  3. Pour out developer. Wash for 3 min.
  4. Pour in color developer. Agitate every 30 sec.
  5. Pour out color developer and wash for 3 min.
  6. Pour in Blix. Agitate every 30 sec.
  7. Pour out Blix and wash film for 5 min.
  8. Soak film for 1/2 to 1 min in stabilizer.
  9. Hang the film up to dry.

Developers

Kodak D-76 Black & White Film Developer, Powder to Make 1 Gallon.




For general-purpose use with films such as Kodak T-MAX Professional, PLUS-X Pan, and TRI-X Pan Films; also for some spectroscopic films and plates. A favorite of pictorial photographers. Yields full emulsion speed and maximum shadow detail with normal contrast. Moderately fine grain, excellent development latitude. For use in: small and large tanks, trays, rotary-tubes, rack-and-tanks Keeping Properties: Stock solution (full strength ) in closed container (full) - 6 months; 2 months in a half full container Working solution (full strength) in a tray-24 hours (or tank-1 month) Diluted 1:1 solution-24 hours in a tray (N/A for a tank) Useful Capacity (unreplenished): Full strength in a tray; 16-8x10 sheets per gal (4 per L) Full strength in a tank; 16-8x10 sheets per gal (4 per L); useful capacity can be increased by replenishment Diluted 1:1 in a tray; 8-8x10 sheets per gal in a tray (2 per L) Diluted 1:1 in a tank; 8-8x10 sheets per gal in a tank (2 per L)

Kodak T-Max Black & White Film Developer, 1 Quart Bottle, Liquid to Make 1 Gallon.




A conventional or push-process developer for use with Kodak T-MAX Professional, TRI-X Pan, and PLUS-X Films in rolls. Allows exposing film at normal or higher EI while producing less grain than current popular push-process developers. Ideal for processing roll films in small tanks and rotary-tube processors. For use in: small or large tanks, rotary tubes Keeping Properties: Working solution in closed container (full) - 6 months; 2 months in a half-full container Working solution in a tank - 1 month for full strength Liquid concentrate can be stored unopened for approximately 2 years from the date of manufacture Useful Capacity: Full strength in a tank; 16-8x10 sheets per gal (4 per L)

E-6 First Developer




Kodak Professional First Developer Replenisher, Process E-6 and E-6AR, is an improved formulation for processing color reversal films in Professional applications. This new chemical has enhanced stability that reduces the formation of precipitates in the concentrate if it is accidentally exposed to cold temperatures during shipping and storage. It also provides better process consistency, a cleaner working solution, and reduced foaming in the tank solution. Replenishment rates are the same as those for the current Kodak First Developer Replenisher, Process E-6, but the new chemical reduces the chemical load in processing effluents. First-developer effluent will have lower levels of chemical and biological oxygen demand (COD and BOD), as well as reduced Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), to benefit the environment. In addition, clearly marked expiration dates on the packaging ensure the highest possible quality of the concentrate you purchase. Because of significant changes in the formulation, you'll need to use a new starter, Kodak Professional First Developer Starter, Process E-6, to prepare a working tank solution from replenisher. However, it is not necessary to replace your entire tank solution when you convert to the new developer. You can use your remaining supply of Kodak First Developer Replenisher, Process E-6, and then replenish the tank with the first developer replenisher.