Whee! Developing!

wlewisiii · 09-30-2004

My wife's birthday present to me was to let me get my developing kit finally. I've got the essentials, a changing bag, some Diafine, fixer and about 20 rolls of 120 black and white film (mostly through the Iskra) awaiting me.

Now, it's been only 20 years since I last developed film. Wonder how little I remember? Not to mention needing to practice with the changing bag as well. This should be fun!

All that's left is to finish the rehabilitation of this Beseler Printmaker 35 I found cheap with a better lens and a 6x6 negative carrier and I'll be set.

William

(well, that and a film scanner.. I really wish there were a less expensive way to scan MF negatives...

)

jdos2 · 09-30-2004

DIAFINE!!! Ack! From where? I've been looking for a local source for months now.

Congratulations!

Get yerself an Epson 2450 (or current replacement) for $400- not too bad for MF and LF scanning.

I bet you LOVE it again!

Happy birthday!

GeneW · 09-30-2004

Quote:

Originally posted by wlewisiii
(well, that and a film scanner.. I really wish there were a less expensive way to scan MF negatives... )

Congrats William! I'm sure you'll love getting back into it.

There is a less expensive way: Epson 2450, 3200 or 4870 flatbed scanner. Does up to 4x5" and does a VERY credible job on 6x6. I have the older 2450 and use it for my Rolleiflex negs. You can probably pick up a used one at a low price. Even the new 4870 is not a bad price.

Gene

Todd.Hanz · 09-30-2004

Agree with the 2450 or better, I used minr fir 6x6, 6x7, 4x5 and it works great, can't wait to see some of your developed negs turned into meg's!

Todd

wlewisiii · 09-30-2004

Jdos2 - www.freestylephoto.biz carries it. Ground ship it only, but they'll send it about anywhere. Cheaper than Adorama IIRC. They seem like a decent discount supply shop. They also stock this dirt cheap bw film from Hungary that is most of what I have piled up to develope. It'll be interesting to see how it works out.

The rest - thanks for the tip. I'll start prowling around in search of a 2450 or such like scanner. Are the USB or do the use SCSI? The ancient Microtek Scanmaster 4 that I have doesn't handle negatives worth mentioning.

Thanks!

William

jdos2 · 09-30-2004

Magyar Film. Veddy Interesting. Looking now.

The 2450 is USB or Firewire attached (as mine is to my Mac)

SolaresLarrave · 09-30-2004

Another one bites the lab!

I must hurry. I must worry. I'm missing out on a lot of fun...

Congratulations, William!

rover · 09-30-2004

Hey, I just saw that it is your birthday today! Happy Birthday.

taffer · 09-30-2004

William that's indeed a great b'day gift !!!! Congrats !!!

(In fact my hands have still some Diafine on them, my third roll so far, hehe).

GeneW · 10-01-2004

It's just great to see you guys developing your own film! There's nothing like a new addiction!

Gene

jdos2 · 10-01-2004

How did the negatives turn out? I've heard Diafine can flatten stuff that isn't high-ish contrast with which to begin...

r-brian · 10-01-2004

William

I recently got a 2450 off Ebay thru Tri State Camera. Tri State was putting one unit up for auction every Monday. These are factory reconditioned units with a factory one year warranty. Prices were running $102 to $150. Got mine for $112. You can buy direct from them for $160. You can go to my spot on photo.net and see some non-RF examples: 120 & 4x5 negative scans and a scan of a 8x10 print from 35mm.

Brian Schall

KirkT · 10-01-2004

jsdos2, I use Diafine for all my black and white work and I really like it. For some film it does seem to flatten it a little, but since I scan it in, I can just turn up the contrast and it comes out very nice. For Tri-X and Plus-X, though, it's fantastic.