Some questions about chemicals.....

TrueLoveOne · Expire: 2013-12-24

I am at the point to order some fresh b/w film (Agfa APX 100) to start with developing them myself. I have been reading an awful lot about doing it yourself, and the Paterson tank is already here.

Now: i really don't seem to get a grip on the use of the cemicals. There are so many brands and names, that i really do not know what to buy anymore....
Does it actually matter which brand/type i get? Or is it just like some people love BMW and others Alfa Romeo?

Because it's the first time i will be doing it, i do not want to spend too much money, the films are 22,60 in a 10 pack, so that's quite a good price imho.... from the same company i can buy several developing chems, being: Moersch Tanol, Adox Atomal 49, Kodak D-76 or ADOX APH09. I have only picked the cheapest 4, they have many many more.....

Which one to go for?? And does the brand/type of the fixer matter?? Do i really need a stopbath-chemical or will plain water do the job?

Thanks a lot for your advice!!!

Yebisu · Joined: 13 Feb 2011 Posts: 1299

kansalliskala · Expire: 2016-12-30

I am almost medical condition of being cheapskate about money and used these:

Click here to see on Ebay.de
Click here to see on Ebay.de

total of 18 euros Smile

but even I can't understand how that D-76 is that cheap?

TrueLoveOne · Expire: 2013-12-24

Thanks Yebisu! Your first results look good, wonder how mine will come out..... Wink

kansalliskala: the D-76 powder for 1 ltr. costs 3,95 euros here. But that fixer you mention, isn't that for paper prints?? Or doesn't it make a difference??

(My second step will be b/w printing.... i bought a Meopta Opemus III (complete set) for 11,50 euros.... Very Happy

)

GrahamNR17 · Expire: 2012-09-06

It's worth the pain of research. Different chemicals yield different negatives. The same chemicals used in different ways also yield different negatives Wink

kansalliskala · Expire: 2016-12-30

TrueLoveOne · Expire: 2013-12-24

I checked, they have those 3.8 ltr packs as well, they cost 6,95 euros.

martinsmith99 · Expire: 2013-11-18

I use Rodinal developer at 1:50 ratio so I basically have a lifetime's supply. I use Ilford's stop bath & fixer.

TrueLoveOne · Expire: 2013-12-24

Thanks for the advice everybody!! I have been reading a bit more on this matter, and have decided to start with the D76 powder and the Kodak fixer in powder-form as well.
They are not expensive, well known products and been used by many for most b/w films with very good results.

Once i get the trick i can always start experimenting with different/alternative chemicals!

Attila · Expire: 2025-11-18

I found Rodinal is give higher grain than Kodak D-76 or Microphen , currently these two are my favorites. Both develop any film at same time I can put Foma, Illford, Agfa to tank and develop them together ! Self life is 2-3 month for 1L mix, I could develop 28 rolls in one liter stock diluted developer. Increase 1 minutes from initial 7 minutes at every 4 rolls. In may actual knowledge this is most perfect to me.

jimithing616 · Joined: 27 Mar 2013 Posts: 63 Location: Minneapolis, MN

For a beginner I would recommend Kodak D-76 or the ilford, arista, etc clone

Then for a stop bath, Again I would use something like ilfostop or Kodak .. something simple

Then for Fixer, again stick with something simple WITHOUT hardeners in it.. like ilford rapid fixer

You can use a hardening fixer... but I would only recommend for known soft emulsion films... you'll have to do a little research to find out which ones are and aren't. Things like Kodak tri-x which is basically all I shoot are not soft so I can't help there. The benefits of the non-hardening fixers in my opinion outweigh the benefits of a hardening one... but others opinions may vary.

Good luck! Keep it simple... Stick to ONE FILM, and ONE developer, stop, and fixer... learn it! if you switch around films and developers when your just starting out you will have a very difficult and short lived in many cases film experience.

Oh, and I would add a Rinse-aid such a Photo-flo... you add it in as a final rinse after everything. Use the "ilford method" of developing, look it up.

Again, Good Luck!

TrueLoveOne · Expire: 2013-12-24

I received my "starter-pack" , i did order the Kodak chems, D-76, and indeed because i've read a lot of positive feedback on these.

For film i ordered a 10 pack of Fomapan 100 b/w, the first roll is in a Minolta X-700 now, i'll post about my first results!!

Thanks all!

Wink