English 115 Model Paper

Instructions for Developing Black & White Film

This set of instructions will enable someone who has never developed a roll of Black & White film to do just that. It is also intended as a refresher for someone who has not developed film in several years. The film I will use in this example will be Kodak T-MAX 100 and I will use Kodak chemicals as well. Please note that you may use these same chemicals with many other types of Black & White film.

Kodak : T-MAX Developer (10 ozs.)

Kodak: Koda-fix Fixer (10 ozs.)

Kodak: Indicator Stop Bath (10 ozs.)

Kodak: Hypo-Clearing Agent (10 ozs.)

Kodak: Photo-Flo (2-3 drops)

Thermometer with a range of 30° F-110° F and accuracy of ± 1°

4ea. 32 oz. Beakers graduated in 2 oz. Increments

Scissors

Timer

Developing Tank: Reference Figure 1.

Figure 1.

Use a room that you can make completely dark, preferably with a countertop or a desk.

1. Lay out the above components so you can locate them in complete darkness.

 

2. Check to make sure that the room will be completely dark when you turn off the lights.

 

3. You can use old towels or rags around the door if needed.

 

4. Reference Figure 2 for loading.

 

5. Chose which option you have from the following:

Figure 2

1. Rewind film until you hear or feel the film come off the take-up spool in the camera. When you open the back of the camera you will see a short piece of film sticking out of the film canister. Pull this out 2-3 inches and trim the end so that it is rounded. You are now ready to load the film onto the reel. All this can be done with the lights on.

1. Since the camera automatically rewinds the film completely into the canister, you will have to work in complete darkness to load the film.

 

2. Once you are in the darkroom, use a can opener or a screwdriver to pry one end off the canister. Remove film and locate and trim end in approximately 2-3 inches from the end. Be sure to round the end.

 

3. You are now ready to load the film onto the reel.

1. Feel for the two lugs at the entry slot of the reel. Feed the film in an inch or so under these lugs. This will start the film in the outside groove. Note: Always handle film by the outside edges.

 

2. Hold one side of the reel and rotate the other side as far as it goes. Then rotate the other side.

 

3. Continue this alternating method so the film is drawn steadily into the reel.

 

4. When you reach the end of the film it will be taped to the spool. Use the scissors and cut the film as close to the spool as possible.

 

5. Rotate the side of the reel one or two more time to ensure that all the film in on the reel.

 

6. Place the reel in the tank and screw on the lid.

 

7. You can now turn on the lights.

Note: Definition of Agitation: Grasp the tank in your hand with your first two fingers across the cap. Rotate you hand back and forth in 180° arc.

Note: This needs to be completed over a sink.

1. If you have four beakers label them Developer, Stop Bath, Fixer and Hypo-Clear.

 

2. Pour 10 oz. of each chemical in proper beakers. Note: If you only have one beaker then start with Developer.

 

3. Check the temperature of the Developer.

 

4. Locate proper developing time on chart (Figure 3 on last page) and set timer.

 

5. Pour Developer into tank, press cap into place and start the timer.

 

6. Tap the tank on the edge of the counter or sink a couple of times to dislodge and air bubbles. Note: Do this for all steps before washing.

 

7. Agitate continuously for the first 30 seconds, then agitate a couple of times every 30 seconds thereafter, until developing time is finished. Note: it is important to get as close to the recommended developing time as possible. Too long or too short will result in the film being under or over developed and a poor negative to work from.

 

8. Remove the cap and pour the Developer down the drain immediately.

 

9. Pour in the Stop Bath, replace the cap and agitate continuously for 30 seconds.

 

10. Remove cap and pour stop bath down the drain.

 

11. Reset timer for 3 minutes.

 

12. Pour in Fixer, replace cap and start the timer. Agitate the same as the Developer.

 

13. When Fixer time is complete, remove cap and pour Fixer down the drain.

 

14. Reset timer for 3 minutes.

 

15. Pour in Hypo-Clearing Agent, replace cap, start timer and agitate continuously for the full 3 minutes.

 

16. Remove cap and pour Hypo-Clearing agent down the drain.

 

17. Remove light-proof lid and place tank under running water to wash for 5 minutes. Do not remove reel.

 

18. When wash time if finished, remove reel and refill tank with water.
19. Add 2-3 drops of Photo-Flo and place reel back into tank and let it set for 30 seconds.

 

20. Remove reel and pull the film off by grasping the edges and gently pulling.

 

21. Hang the film up to dry in a dust free environment.

 

22. Attach a small weight to the bottom of the film to keep it from curling up. You can use a couple of close-pins or anything else you can clip onto the bottom of the film.

 

23. The film will take 2-5 hours to dry, depending on the temperature in the drying area.

 

24. Once it is dry, take it down and cut it into sections of 5 exposures each.