It is possible to develop color film in black and white developer.
Manual processing of any type of film--color, slide or black and white--is very similar. The differences between the three are the type of chemicals that are used, the temperature at which you process them and the length of time required for each step. Processing color film with chemistry designed for black and white film is possible, but it is a trial-and-error approach. The results you will receive will not look the same as if the color film had been processed in C-41, the traditional chemistry for color development, but the results could be interesting.
Instructions
Develop Color Film with Black and White Developer
1. Load the exposed roll of color film onto the reels. Either in a changing bag or in a light-tight room remove the film from its container and begin to load it onto the reels. This step is tricky and requires it to be done in complete darkness. Practicing with an unneeded or practice roll of film in normal light is a good idea.
2. Pour developer into the tank. Depending on the size of tank and number of reels you are using, the quantity of developer and other processing chemicals will vary. For a small two-reel developing tank the capacity is approximately 20 fl. oz. Since you are processing color film--which is usually processed at a higher temperature than black and white film--you are going to need to leave the film in the developer solution for a longer period of time. If you are using a 400 ISO film speed, process the color film in the black and white developer for 12 minutes. Follow the same agitation process of constant agitation for the first 30 seconds, then for five seconds every 30 seconds. Be sure to tap the developing tank after each agitation to dislodge bubbles that may have formed on the film. When the processing time is complete, pour out and discard the developer.
3. Pour 20 fl. oz. of stop bath into the developing tanks and agitate for 30 seconds, at which point you will pour out and discard the chemical.
4. Pour 20 fl. oz. of fixing agent into the tank and agitate for 15 seconds, then let the film sit in the solution for five minutes. Pour out and discard the solution. At this point, the film is safe to be viewed under normal light.
5. Wash the film. After you have removed the lid of the tank, run the tank (with the reels still in it) under the tap for 15 minutes. Then add two drops of a wetting agent (either Photo Flo or diluted soap) and the developing process is done.
6. Take the reels out of the tank, remove the film from them and hang to dry. Allow the film to dry for a minimum of two hours, then cut the negatives into strips of five or six frames and insert into an archival storage sleeve.
Tags: color film, agitate seconds, black white, black white, color film black, Develop Color Film