Make sure you have removed your film from your camera carefully. If you’re not sure how to do this have a look at my previous video in which I explain the process in my previous blog post.
Developing black and white film at home has become easier and more accessible over the past few years. There are a number of options including the trusted Paterson Development Tank or alternatively the significantly more expensive Lab-box option.
The main advantage of the Lab-box is the ability to develop the film without having to use a dark bag to load your film onto the reel. All processes involved with development occur in its simple box tank.
A disadvantage of using the Lab-box is that it only allows you to develop one 35mm or 120 roll at a time. Paterson tanks come in many different sizes which allow you to develop multiple films at the same time.
You’ll need some developer for developing the film. I have the CineStill Df96 Monobath which is an all-in-one solution for developing your black and white film.
To get started remove the orange lid of the Lab-box and then lift the grey tab. Gently open the seal to your film and pop it into the film tray. Then drag the paper through a small sliver gate until you see it slight popping out. At this point close the grey tab so it locks in the film secure. Put the orange lid back on to the tank and close it securely.
The next step is to carefully pull the paper backing out until it doesn’t anymore. At this point, tear the paper off. Now move the dial at the front of the Lab-box from the triangle to the square. This will secure the film in a light tight compartment.
You can now lift the orange lid off. Open the grey tab again and remove the sticky tape attached to the end of the film. Be careful with your fingers as the edges of the film can be quite sharp. Once done clip the gator clip to the middle of the film. This will allow the film to roll on to the spindle. Close the grey tab and put the orange cover back on the Lab-box. Finally turn the dial back to the triangle icon.
Your film is now ready to be rolled on to the spindle and the development tank area. Slowly rotate the lever which will drag the film in to position. You’ll hear it slide on, keep going until you can’t hear any more movement from the film. At this point you’ll be ready to add your monobath to your tank.
At this point you’re ready to add your developer to the tank. You will need to bring the monobath up to temperature depending on how long you want it to be developing it for. A typical normal process takes 3mins at 27C. The monobath comes with more detailed instructions on how to develop your film at lower temperatures which you can consult carefully.
For the Lab-box you’ll need about 300ml of developer to fill the tank completely. Be sure to use a measuring jug for this! Slowly pour the liquid into the tank. If this is your first time using the developer at 27C it will take 3mins to develop the film. However, every time you use the liquid you will need to add another 10secs for development. At its maximum it will end up taking you 7mins to develop the film. If you have filled up the entire tank you do not need to agitate your film.
Once the development is done, pour the liquid carefully back into your container. You can then put this back into the bottle to be reused again another time.
You will need to wash your film now that it has been developed. You can lift the lid of the box and run it under tap water or alternatively use some ionized water to wash the film 7 times. Ionized/distilled water has less residue in it so it will lead to less additional chemicals clinging to your film while it is drying. I used tap water to wash my film.
Now you will be ready to remove your film from the box. You will need some clips to hang the film. Alternatively you can get some Sellotape, a coin and stick it to the end of the film so it will keep the film tort while it is drying. Once you have removed the film you can use a squeegee to remove the excess water from the film.