Support our Sponsors, they keep FADU free:   AG Photographic   The Imaging Warehouse   Process Supplies   RH Designs   Second-hand Darkroom Supplies  

Notices

Go Back   Film and Darkroom User > Equipment > Darkroom

  ***   Click here for the FADU 2015/2014 Yearbooks   ***

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
  #1  
Old 16th August 2011, 05:26 PM
Lozkins Lozkins is offline
Friend
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 12
Default Chemical queries

I'm nearly ready to go with my dark room now but just a couple of questions left!

I have no chemicals yet and I could do with knowing what the best value chemicals would be for me, as I am only doing it as a hobby. They don't need to be the best and most expensive.

Another question I have is which chemicals will double up for both film and prints? I have heard that some will work for both. Also, does this apply to fix and stop as well as developers?

Any info would be appreciated! Thank you.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 16th August 2011, 05:57 PM
Mike O'Pray Mike O'Pray is online now
Friend
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Daventry, Northants
Posts: 8,969
Default

In terms of film developers Xtol works out cheaply. It is a powder dev which makes 5L of stock. I'd mix it then store in winebags.

Stop and fix will work for both film and paper but generally I'd use dedicated paper developer. Ilford MG dev is very good but there are others equally good.

Mike
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 16th August 2011, 05:57 PM
B&W Neil's Avatar
B&W Neil B&W Neil is offline
Friend
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: West Cornwall
Posts: 4,264
Default

Fix and stop can be used for films and papers but it is best to keep separate mixed solutions for each process. See the manufactures recommendations for fixer as they vary for films and papers. You can omit the stop bath and just use plain water ( I do this for films). There are universal developers but I would not recommend them if you are looking for good quality from a negative. A good quality and economical film developer is Rodinal used at 1+50 and for papers Neutol NE – especially if used at 1+14 .
Neil.
__________________
"The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance." Aristotle

Neil Souch
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 16th August 2011, 07:01 PM
photomi7ch's Avatar
photomi7ch photomi7ch is offline
Friend
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: East Midlands
Posts: 2,516
Default

Fix for film is a different strengh to fix for paper. see fix instructions. you should not use the same fix for paper that you use for film.
__________________
Mitch

http://photomi7ch.blogspot.com/

If you eliminate the impossible whatever remains no matter how improbable must be the truth.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 16th August 2011, 07:27 PM
Richard Gould Richard Gould is offline
Friend
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Jersey Channel Islands
Posts: 5,433
Default

Take a look at the Champion range of chemicals at http://firstcall-photographic.co.ukthey are very good quality, I have used them myself, Promicrol film developer, at 1/14 goes a long way, and the amfix and stop bath are the cheapest I know of for Quality chemicals,
Richard
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 17th August 2011, 12:09 PM
Lozkins Lozkins is offline
Friend
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 12
Default

Thanks everyone I'll have a look!
Reply With Quote
Reply
Support our Sponsors, they keep FADU free:   AG Photographic   The Imaging Warehouse   Process Supplies   RH Designs   Second-hand Darkroom Supplies  

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Chemical or Mechanical Phil Monochrome Film 28 7th August 2011 08:36 AM
Yashica-Mat - a few queries Rob Archer Cameras - medium format 8 26th July 2011 09:18 PM
Chemical Supplies tonytrot Manufactured brews 18 17th July 2011 01:06 PM
Chemical scales Richard S Photography in general 9 18th June 2010 01:24 PM
Enlarger queries. Gavin Darkroom 19 16th February 2010 05:19 PM


All times are GMT. The time now is 02:23 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.