Developing Black and White Film

Marcus Kazmierczak, marcus@mkaz.com
Created On: March 28th, 2001
Last Updated: Feb 2nd, 2006

This is my basic process for developing black and white film, it includes developer, times and film I use. I also use this as a reference each time I develop.

The primary film and developer I use is Kodak Tri-X 400 with Kodak HC-110. Everyone has their own personal preference and make claim it's the best; I make no such claim. I just use what I am comfortable with; plus Kodak HC-110 is cheap and it stores well.

If you are just starting out, the most common combo is Tri-X film and D-76 developer.
Here's a page with all sorts of film+developer info.


Developer

HC-110 68°F 72°F Dilution
Kodak Tri-X 400 8 7 H
Kodak Plus-X 125 10 8 H
Ilford HP5+ 400 10 8 H
Ilford FP4+ 125 9 7 B
Ilford 3200 9 7 B
Agfa APX 100 (Silver Tone) 7 5.5 B
Agfa APX 400 (Silver Tone) 8 6 B

HC-110 Dilutions
Dilution B 1:31 --- Dilution H 1:63
I create a stock solution by mixing HC-110 1:3, for example 2 oz developer with 6 oz water.
To create a Dilution B: mix 2 oz stock with 14 oz water; for Dilution H: mix 1 oz stock with 15 oz water.


D-76 1:1 65°F 68°F 70°F 72°F 75°F
Tri-X 400 11 10 9.5 9 8
TMAX 100 14.5 12 11 10 8.5
Agfa 25 15 13 12 11 10
Ilf FP4+ 125   11      
Ilf HP5+ 400   11      

1:1 Ratio means mix one part straight developer with one part water.
So for a 16oz tank, use 8 oz developer with 8 oz water


Rodinal 1:50 65°F 68°F 70°F 72°F 75°F
Tri-X 400   12 11 10 8.5
Agfa 25   10 9.5    
Ilf FP4+ 125   15      
Ilf HP5+ 400   11      

Rodinal Mix
9.375 ml of Rodinal for 16oz water


Temperature Adjustment Chart
Temperature 65°F 68°F 71°F 75°F 78°F
Multiplier Adj. 1.20 1.00 0.85 0.75 0.60


Process
  1. Developer (use chart for time and see below) Agitate continuously for the first 30 seconds,
    Tap a few times to dislodge air bubbles. Agitate for 5 seconds every 30 seconds

    • Push Process
      Develop film longer than normal, approx. 20% per stop change. Used in the following: (1) when rating film higher, for example rating 400 speed at 800 you would process one stop change. Or (2) in low contrast scenes, zone range is three or less stops of light between the measured Zones III and Zones VII.

    • Pull Process
      Develop film shorter than normal, approx 20% per stop change. Used in high contrast scenes when the zone range is 5 or more stops of light in the measured Zones III and Zones VII.

  2. Water Stop - Fill/Dump tank 6 times with water

  3. Fix 4 min - Agitate 15 secs every 30 secs

  4. Hypo Elim 1:30 - Agitate continuous
    Helps remove fix and lowers wash time

  5. Wash 10 min - Fill and dump 10 times
    (Wash twice as much if no hypo-elim used)

  6. Photo Flo (one drop per 8 oz)
    15 seconds - slow agitation
    (Do not rinse photo flo, used for "sheeting" water off film)

  7. Drying Film Hang and dry in dust free area until completely dry (overnight)

Developing Resources