I've
been clearing out the closet that I use as a darkroom. Whilst I was moving out some old
photographic paper the bottom of one packet opened and on to the floor dropped
a clear plastic folder. To my surprise it's my original film processing list; a
step by step reminder for the developing process, showing what quantities to
mix and how long to develop each of the makes of film. At the time it was
Ilford PanF, FP4 and HP5. The developer is the recently reintroduced Paterson
Aculux. The only film from the list to stand the test of time is FP4; the only
film I use from Ilford regularly and remains my all time favorite.
When
starting on your journey to develop your own film it is a good idea to make up
an idiot list. It is there in writing to prompt you on what to do next; it is a
way of ensuring that the process goes smoothly and that the negatives are
properly developed. As you become more proficient you should update your list
with the changes you make - ie: film development times, solution quantities
etc. I still use one but now it's divided into two. One page shows the
developing method needed for each of the developers I use and page two is a
prompt for the stop, fix and wash procedure. I know it backwards but old habits
die-hard.
So what has
changed over the years? The developer for a start. The stop time has increased
to two minutes. I no longer check to see if the film has cleared and the
milkiness has gone after two and a half minutes when fixing. I had forgotten
that I even did this! The wash time is down to fifteen minutes and I do not add
fourteen drops of wetting agent - thats way to much!
