Mees Photography - Technical notes
How I develop black and white film
Marcel Konstapel
2024-11-08
Abstract
Here is how I develop my black and white films. Methods for 135, 120 and sheet film are all described. For roll film I use a Paterson developing tank. For sheet film I use an ancient rectangular developing tank which is probably not made anymore.
Used chemicals
The development method and all development times are based on the use of Ilford ID-11 or Kodak D-76 developer, which are basically the same.
The stop bath is made of citric acid. To make the stock solution simply dissolve 100 grams of citric acid in 1 liter of water.
I am not picky when it comes to fixer. In the past I used Amaloco X89 Extrafix, recently I am using ADOX ADOFIX P II. All available film fixers from reputable sources will do.
All working solutions are one shot. Which means I only use them once.
Do not pour the used chemicals down the drain. They may be harmfull for the environment. Besides, the fixer contains silver, which is a valuable element which can be reclycled.
Developer (1+1)
| Rolls | Film size | Developer (ml) | Water (ml) | Total (ml) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 135 | 150 | 150 | 300 |
| 2 | 135 | 300 | 300 | 600 |
| 1 | 120 | 250 | 250 | 500 |
Stop bath (1+19)
| Rolls | Film size | Stop (ml) | Water (ml) | Total (ml) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 135 | 15 | 285 | 300 |
| 2 | 135 | 30 | 570 | 600 |
| 1 | 120 | 25 | 475 | 500 |
Fixer (stock)
| Rolls | Film size | Fix (ml) | Water (ml) | Total (ml) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 135 | 60 | 240 | 300 |
| 2 | 135 | 120 | 480 | 600 |
| 1 | 120 | 100 | 400 | 500 |
Process
All chemicals should be heated to 20 degrees Celsius. I use a Jobo temperature controlled water bath for this purpose.
Develop
- Pour the developer in the tank
- Inverse the tank 5 times
- Tap the tank gently on a hard surface to get rid off any air bubbles on the film
- Put tank in water bath
- Inverse the tank 5 times every first 10 seconds of every minute and tap
- Develop for the appropriate time (see table below)
- Pour out the developer and discard
Stop
- Pour the stop bath in the tank
- Inverse the tank 5 times
- Tap the tank gently on a hard surface to get rid off any air bubbles on the film
- Put tank in water bath
- After 30 seconds inverse the tank 5 times and tap
- Put tank in water bath and wait another 30 seconds
- Pour out the stop bath and discard
Fix
- Pour the fix in the tank
- Inverse the tank 5 times
- Tap the tank gently on a hard surface to get rid off any air bubbles on the film
- Put tank in water bath
- Inverse the tank 5 times every first 10 seconds of every minute and tap
- Fix for 5 minutes
- Pour out the fix back into the bottle, ready for reuse
Wash
- Fill the tank with clean water of about 20 degrees Celsius
- Inverse the tank 5 times
- Pour out the water and discard
- Fill the tank with clean water of about 20 degrees Celsius
- Inverse the tank 10 times
- Pour out the water and discard
- Fill the tank with clean water of about 20 degrees Celsius
- Inverse the tank 20 times
- Pour out the water and discard
- Fill the tank with clean water of about 20 degrees Celsius
- Inverse the tank 20 times
- Pour out the water and discard
- Fill the tank with clean water of about 20 degrees Celsius and add 2ml wetting agent
- Inverse the tank 2 times
- Pour out the water and discard
Dry
Unspool the film from the tank and hang it to dry. Place 2 clothespin on the end of the film to stop it curling.
Under the clothespin and film clamp, the film can still be wet. Make sure the film is thoroughly dry before storing it.
Developing times for various films
| Film stock | ISO | Time (min) |
|---|---|---|
| Ilford Pan F Plus 50 | 50 | 8.5 |
| Ilford FP4 Plus 125 | 125 | 11 |
| Ilford HP5 Plus 400 | 320 | 13 |
| Ilford HP5 Plus 400 | 800 | 16.5 |
| Ilford HP5 Plus 400 | 100 | 15 |
Ilford Delta 3200 in XTOL
In order to achieve the box speed of 3200 my default D-76 developer is not suitable. Instead, I use Kodak XTOL or Adox XT-3, which are the same. Both at stock solution at 20 degrees Celsius. The developing process is the same as with D-76, but the XTOL stock solution can be reused. One liter of developer can develop 10 films. I shoot the film on ISO 3200 and develop it as ISO 6400.
| Film stock | ISO | number of rolls | Time (min) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ilford Delta 3200 | 3200 | 1-5 | 10 |
| Ilford Delta 3200 | 3200 | 6-10 | 11.5 |
| Ilford Delta 3200 | 3200 | 11-15 | 13.5 |