Film can be processed at home with a little practice.
Processing 35mm film is a fairly straightforward process. The most challenging part of the entire process is removing the film from the canister and loading it onto reels; this entire step has to be done in complete darkness. Once that is done and the film is in the processing tank with the lid on, the rest of the processing can be done under normal light.
Instructions
Processing 35mm Film
1. Remove the exposed film from the film canister and load it onto the developing reels. Use a bottle opener or needle-nose pliers to pry off the lid of the film canister, and remove the film. Handle the film only by the edges, and carefully cut the leader of the film.
Loading film onto reels takes some practice. Should the film come into contact with itself, it will be ruined. It is a good idea to practice using a discarded or unneeded roll of film with the lights on. When you think you are ready, close your eyes and try to load the reels. Once you are able to load the film on the reels two or three times without looking, you are probably ready.
2. Place the reels that are now loaded with the film into the processing tank, and secure the lid onto the tank. Now it is safe to turn on the lights.
3. Pour the film developer and 72-degree water you have premixed into the processing tank through the lightproof opening in the top of the lid. The amount of developer as well as the temperature will vary depending on the size of the tank and the type of film. Seventy-two degrees is used when processing black and white film. Developing times and temperatures will be included inside the box your film came in and or are available online.
To learn how much fluid your tank holds, before you start, put the reels in the tank, and with the lid off fill with water. Pour that water into a measuring beaker, and you will have a good idea of the amount of fluid you will need. Once the film is loaded on the reels, it will take some space in the tank, but you will have a good starting point.
4. Agitate the tank by holding it in your hand and rotating your wrist a quarter-turn. Do this for the first 30 seconds, then tap the bottom of the processing tank on a table to release any bubbles from the film, and let sit it for 25 seconds. Then agitate for five seconds in the same fashion, tap on the table, and let sit for 25 seconds. Continue this process for seven minutes, at which time you will pour and dispose of the used developer. The developing time for film will vary depending on the brand of developer you are using. Refer to the instructions on the bottle of developer for the correct time and temperature.
5. Pour the correct amount of premixed stop bath into the processing tank and agitate for half a minute. When done, pour out and dispose.
6. Pour in premixed fixer and agitate for 15 seconds. If the fixer is fresh it will take four minutes to work. At the end of four minutes either pour the fixer into a jug to save for another time, or dispose of it the same way you did with the developer and stop bath. Although 20 ounces is what you would need for a typical two-reel tank, there are other sizes and type of tanks, and the amount of chemical solution will vary. On the bottom of some tanks is a guide for the amount of solution you need.
7. Wash the film with cold water, and add two drops of a wetting agent or diluted soap to help the water run off the film. Remove the film from the reels, hang the film using film clips, and allow it to dry for at least two hours.
8. Cut the film and place into archival storage sleeves for safekeeping and easy viewing.
Tags: processing tank, film from, into processing, into processing tank, will vary, 35mm Film