Processing Black & White Film - First Attempt
7 February 09
Notes from today’s batch of black and white photos:
I referenced Ilford’s step-by-step instructions [PDF] during the entire process.
Film: Ilford HP5 Plus 120mm Black and White
Tank: Kalt Stainless Steel 500ml
Reel: Kalt 120mm Stainless Steel
Developer: Ilford’s Ilfosol S (1+9) at 68°F
Stop Bath: Water at 68°F
Fixer: Ilford’s Rapid Fixer (1+4) at 68°F
Wash: Water at 68°F + Kodak Photo-Flo (1+200)
Method: First, Developer for seven (7) minutes, inverting for ten (10) seconds at top of each minute. Down the drain. Next, stop bath for at least ten (10) seconds. Down the drain. Fixer for at least three (3) minutes, inverting for ten (10) seconds at top of each minute. Saved for later use. Washed using Ilford method of five (5), ten (10), then twenty (20) inversions, rinsing for ten (10) seconds with Photo-Flo.
Results: Parts of the film stuck to itself due to faulty reel. Reel is misshapen, causing improper spooling (Figure 1). Where film made contact with itself, no developing took place (Figure 2). There may be signs of air pockets during developer stage. Otherwise, unaffected areas look great.
Figure 1.
Figure 2.
To Do:
- Exchange Kalt reel for another or buy a Hewes reel (higher quality stainless steel).
- During the first minute of Developer, invert continuously.
- Tap the tank more often to remove air pockets.
