My first effort at developing a roll of 120 didn't go entirely according to plan. I struggled inside a dark cupboard for about half an hour trying to get the film on the reel and, to be honest, failed utterly. In the end, my frustration drove me to wrapping the film around the reel "any old how". I knew it wasn't the best idea, and inevitably it meant that the processing chemicals wouldn't be properly distributed. (I did a second roll today, and found it much easier to get on the reel) It's all part of the learning process!

Photographer:
richardhall
Uploaded:
2019-06-14
Camera:
Zeiss Ikon Nettar
Film:
Ilford HP5 Plus 400
Country/region:
United Kingdom
Albums:
Giving the Nettar a spin

8 Comments

  1. sandersoftheriver
    sandersoftheriver ·

    I've had that trouble with 35mm . I's infuriating and then even when the roll is spooled the processing seems odd. At that point it's impossible to figure out what the culprit was - the spooling, the chemicals, the timing, the agitation, maybe even the camera itself ......

  2. sandersoftheriver
    sandersoftheriver ·

    Still, cute dog, which makes up for it all!

  3. richardhall
    richardhall ·

    @sandersoftheriver I was quite pleased with this shot, given that it was an approximately 1 sec exposure (on 'B')
    I think I'd still send films to a lab if I really needed perfection, but I'm enjoying faffing with chemicals almost as much as the shooting so I can live with the defects. I really need to get myself a good scanning solution and I think that means waiting till I can afford one of the Epsons

  4. sandersoftheriver
    sandersoftheriver ·

    @richardhall Interesting. I had a conversation about scanning only a few days ago, with the guy who does the scanning at Photofusion in Brixton, And about developing with their developer, They know their onions! I bought a Plustek 8100 about a year ago and it's quick and easy to use. What I don't know is how accurate the software pre-set film masks are, which is another variable to add to the mix. Also, I'm ambivalent about the whole "it's analogue but then I digitised it" thing. It is unavoidable, of course, and I probably make too big a deal of it but as I'm so new to the whole business I can't quite figure out which elements are determining the final look of the images. I'd like to start printing, which will no doubt throw everything into even more confusion, but luckily I have no time at the moment! Which Epson would you get?

  5. richardhall
    richardhall ·

    @sandersoftheriver To some extent, I share your ambivalence. However, a full-on darkroom isn't on the horizon just yet, so if I'm to share my pictures with anyone, the digitization will be necessary. I only got into developing my own film again when 'my lab guy' decided that he needed to concentrate on camera sales and got out of processing. Not being able find an affordable alternative drove me to take the plunge with black & white. I'm working on persuading my wife that I could do colour as well, but I'm in no rush. I think sorting out the scanning is a greater priority.

    I've heard good things about the Plustek scanners, but I want to be able to scan up to 6x9 medium format so I think I need a flatbed. Haven't made a decision about which model. The V600 looks suitable, but I haven't got the £200 at present. Or a space in my office to put it!

  6. sandersoftheriver
    sandersoftheriver ·

    Thanks, I'll take a look at that scanner. BTW, colour isn't so hard. I thought it would be much trickier but the process is the same, it's just the temperature that you need to watch and try to maintain, much higher. I do it in my kitchen so am not popular but shows it can be done in modest surroundings! I enjoy developing but when you've got some 10-14 rolls sitting around it's best to get someone else to do it quickly! Have a good weekend.

  7. richardhall
    richardhall ·

    @sandersoftheriver I've just had an interesting conversation in my local camera shop and decided it's worth having a go at copying negs with my DSLR. I've got an old android tablet I should be able to use as a lightbox so I'm going to source a bit of anti-reflective glass to hold things flat. I'll let you know how I get on.

  8. sandersoftheriver
    sandersoftheriver ·

    @richardhall Good luck with it. Interestingly I now remember that the scanning guy at Photofusion told me that my scanner, the Plustek, is basically a digital camera with a light source .

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