Darkroom – S.H.O.U.T.

Poole with the Nikon FE2

You may remember that I took my Nikon FE2 out a couple weeks ago and wrote about that here. I kept walking over the town bridge, and along the quay. Above is the view from the bridge, and below (left) part of it’s lifting mechanism. This was a roll of HP5 that I developed inContinue reading “Poole with the Nikon FE2”

Thoughts on: Bulk Film

I’ve been asked twice recently “What is bulk film?” I thought I would write a post. If you are newish to film photography I should start by offering a brief explanation: What is bulk Film? Most bulk film is black and white 35mm film. Exactly the same stuff that can be purchased in 24’s orContinue reading “Thoughts on: Bulk Film”

E72 Paper Developer

Last time I purchased a litre of Ilford Multigrade Paper developer it had gone off and I had to return it. I don’t think it was age per-se, there was a tiny hole in the foil seal, plenty large enough for air to get in. After that I told myself I’d make my own. FinallyContinue reading “E72 Paper Developer”

Paterson

In the UK at least the “king” of home darkroom products is Paterson. Sure there have been others. Johnsons and Photax spring to mind, both have come and gone. Perhaps AP Plastics more recently are a challenge. Paterson post war however, was THE name. In 1948 Donald Paterson was granted a patent for “a newContinue reading “Paterson”

Developing 110

There are certain times when I’m in mid flow doing something and I think to myself “why ever did I start this”? Going back about 4 weeks, I ordered amongst other things, a roll of Lomography Orca B/W 110 film from Analogue Wonderland. I see that it’s made in Chechia so I’m assuming it’s actuallyContinue reading “Developing 110”

How much developer?

Once upon a time there was daddy bear, mummy bear, oh sorry wrong audience! In my developing kit I have a small, medium and large developing tanks – I use the Paterson System 4 tanks, but I prefer the older “original” system 4 and not the newer “Super” ones. I find that they are un-necessarilyContinue reading “How much developer?”

To Squeegee or not to squeegee!

Years ago I dumped my film squeegee. I always thought it was a stupid idea to pull one’s wet, soft and easily damaged emulsion through a rubber wiper. It’s just asking for trouble! Then one day the inevitable happened and I threw it in the bin in disgust. Years later of course I could scanContinue reading “To Squeegee or not to squeegee!”

Stand: Rodinal

I was gifted a roll of Fomapan 100. No box, so no idea what the expiry date was or indeed even if it was a viable film, for all I knew someone may have exposed it all and wound it back into the cassette! I quite often go to Poole for a walk, so decidedContinue reading “Stand: Rodinal”

Rodinal 1+100 (No gain – more grain)

For those of you who have been following my recent developer mini tests, I tried Rodinal 1+100. Another clip of the same film, 20 degrees, this time 1+100, 30mins, (semi-stand) agitating for 30 seconds at the start. Another 15 secs at the 15 minute mark, then pour out at 30. Again the grain is worseContinue reading “Rodinal 1+100 (No gain – more grain)”

More Developer testing and a Wow!

Yes, that church again! I made another test! This time I have made up some FX55, the “Eco” (Vitamin C) developer created by the late, great, Geoffrey Crawley. It’s a two part developer, I found part A a doddle to mix, all the chemicals went into solution with ease. Part B was a different story,Continue reading “More Developer testing and a Wow!”