What kind of chemicals do i need for my darkroom?

Question

What kind of chemicals do i need for my darkroom?

Answer 1

Basically, you just need two chemicals...what's called the "developer" and the "fixer."  You can use the same kind of fixer for both film and pictures.  But film and pictures use a different developer.

If you want to develop your own black and white film, you'll need a film developer.  I would recommend Kodak D-76.  You don't actually have to use a darkroom to develop film.  You can use a changing bag, which is a lightproof bag with holes for your arms.  The only part that has to be done in total darkness is when you load the film onto a reel and then put it in a small developing tank.  After that, you can do the rest in normal light.

If you want to develop the pictures yourself, you will need a an enlarger and a darkroom.  You'll need a paper developer.  Don't use D-76 to develop paper.  (Well, actually you can, but the pictures will be very low contrast and will just look kind of dull.)   You need a developer that's specifically for photographic paper.  You can use Kodak Dektol, or there are also many other paper developers.

So that's basically the chemicals you will need - a film developer, paper developer, and the fixer.  You can buy the chemicals at any good camera shop or also order them online.  I get mine from Freestyle Photo Supplies in Los Angeles, California.  They have a website, just look up "Freestyle Photo" on Google.

Developing your own film and pictures is actually pretty easy.  There are a few steps, but it's not that hard.  You load the film onto the reel and put it in the tank in total darkness.  Use a changing bag.  Also, you should get one of the plastic kind of reels and tanks, they're a lot easier to load.  After you load the film in the tank, the next step is to pour in the developer chemical.  Don't open the tank, just pour it in the spout on top.  The tank is made so that the spout is light-proof.  You'll leave the developer in for several minutes, depending on what kind of film you have.  Usually it's between 6-10 minutes.  Also, you agitate the developer by gently inverting the tank every minute or so.  That helps to develop the film evenly.  Look up the chart for your film to see how long the development time should be.

After the developer, empty the tank and rinse it throughly with water.  Don't open the tank!  Just run water through the spout, and fill the tank and empty it again a few times.  The next step is the fixer.  The fixer stabalizes the film so that the images are permanent and it's not light sensitive anymore.  You follow the same process...pour the fixer into the tank and leave it in for several minutes.  I usually leave the fixer in for 9 minutes.  Invert the tank every minute.  

After the fixer, empty the tank and rinse it again.  The film is finished developing now, and you could actually look at the pictures if you wanted.  But it's also a good idea to wash the film one last time in distilled water just to prevent water spots from forming when it dries.  Hang up the film to dry.

To develop pictures, you can either scan the film or use an enlarger and darkroom.  You put the negatives on a tray on the enlarger.  The enlarger has a lamp and lens that projects the image onto photographic paper.  The paper is light sensitive, so you develop it just like film.  But photo paper isn't sensitive to red light, so your darkroom doesn't have to be completely dark.  You can use a red light or a "safelight."  After you expose the photo paper on the enlarger, you develop it in trays with the chemicals.  First is the paper developer, usually you leave it in for 1 minute.  Next you put it in water to stop development.  Then put it in another tray with the fixer.  Wash the paper, and then it's finished.  Put it somewhere to dry, and then you'll have a finished picture.

Also, photo paper isn't as sensitive as film, so if a tiny bit of white light leaks into your darkroom, it's not the end of the world.  You should make it as dark as you can, but if a little bit leaks in it's not a big deal.  I've had times where there's been enough light leaking into my darkroom that I could see my hands after a while.  But it didn't affect the pictures at all.  I just made a darkroom in my garage.

So here's what you'll need:

-Film developer (about $7)

-Fixer (about $8)

-Paper developer ($6)

-Film developing reel and tank

-Changing bag

-Plastic trays for developing pictures

-Enlarger

And that's basically all you need.  You can order the chemicals online, or buy them in a camera shop (a REAL camera shop).  The powder chemicals are even cheaper.  You just mix them with water.  You can order power developer and fixer for like $5 each.  You can get an enlarger on eBay for fairly cheap.  I got mine in good condition for about $40.

Good luck and have fun!

Answer 2

Before you get too carried away, you may want to take a class in photography ... you will learn there, not only the chemistry you need, but how to handle it and dispose of it safely... not only that, but you will learn how to use multiple filters to enhance your prints.

Basically any camera store that sell photo chemistry, will have what you need and the people there will help you choose the right developer for your film and paper and explain the differences in how you mix the same fixer to use with both your film and paper.

There are also development times and wash times you need to be aware of in order to produce good prints.