Developing Film
Developing Black and White Film
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.
| 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 |
- 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.
- Push Process
- Water Stop - Fill/Dump tank 6 times with water
- Fix 4 min - Agitate 15 secs every 30 secs
- Hypo Elim 1:30 - Agitate continuous
Helps remove fix and lowers wash time - Wash 10 min - Fill and dump 10 times
(Wash twice as much if no hypo-elim used) - Photo Flo (one drop per 8 oz)
15 seconds - slow agitation
(Do not rinse photo flo, used for "sheeting" water off film) - Drying Film Hang and dry in dust free area until completely dry (overnight)