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Post by pentaxia on Jul 31, 2013 3:12:15 GMT -5
Hi all. Been collecting Pentax M and K series for around 10 years. Only now had crazy idea of actually using the kit just to discover how bad the shape of black and white film supplies are. And how difficult and expensive processing has become. Any tips on finding inexpensive black and white 35mm film and processing?
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mickeyobe
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Posts: 7,280
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Post by mickeyobe on Jul 31, 2013 3:51:41 GMT -5
Hi all. Been collecting Pentax M and K series for around 10 years. Only now had crazy idea of actually using the kit just to discover how bad the shape of black and white film supplies are. And how difficult and expensive processing has become. Any tips on finding inexpensive black and white 35mm film and processing? Hop in your time machine and go back 15 years. Mickey  |
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Stephen
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Still collecting.......
Posts: 2,718
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Post by Stephen on Jul 31, 2013 4:39:41 GMT -5
On cost alone it may be home processing would be the best, setting up a small darkroom is not expensive with care, especially as the enlarger can be eliminated completely by scanning the home processed negatives, so all you really need is a processing tank, a sink, and a few chemicals. Small film scanners or re-photography with a macro capable digital camera will provide the files to print out or store.
Mail order in general may be the only solution for film supplies and then the processing by mail is quite expensive , even for B/W.
Stephen.
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Post by vintageslrs on Jul 31, 2013 8:19:42 GMT -5
Check out thedarkroom.com they seem reasonable.
I just sent them 2 rolls of 120 film this morning. One was started about 3 years ago.
And one was started by a friend of mine about 40 years ago.....
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Berndt
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Post by Berndt on Jul 31, 2013 9:39:12 GMT -5
If you have problems with getting B/W films processed and do not want to do it at home, how about the Ilford XP2 Super ? I made good experiences with this film and love the results. The Iflord XP2 is processed in C41 ( like any color picture film ), which can be done almost everywhere ( even in my very local photo shop in the neighborhood ). Here a few of my pictures, taken with the XP2: www.flickr.com/photos/30634008@N08/sets/72157632897599600/ |
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Post by pentaxia on Jul 31, 2013 15:20:27 GMT -5
Thanks all. I'll start with the XP2. Do supermarkets still process films? None of the Boots near my office seem to. If I go for home processing, any recommendations on film or chemicals? Again, I'm trying to be a bit cost conscious.
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Stephen
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Still collecting.......
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Post by Stephen on Jul 31, 2013 16:24:30 GMT -5
As you mention Boots, they are winding up processing at Branches, with only larger units continuing as demand slows. Mail order is done by "Franchised to Fuji" operations in the UK.
For home developing....
Any standard Fixer will do, there are several traditional film developers still available on Ebay, ID 11 Developer and Ilford fixer are near universal, and keep well. Lots of cheap tanks on Ebay as well, budget for a reasonable thermometer.
Stop bath is optional, I never bother, just water.
Stephen.
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Post by pentaxia on Jul 31, 2013 17:20:15 GMT -5
Thanks Stephen. Any recommendations on film? And one last tip please: how do I break it to my wife that I'm going to do this. ;-)
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Stephen
Lifetime Member
Still collecting.......
Posts: 2,718
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Post by Stephen on Jul 31, 2013 18:16:22 GMT -5
I stick if possible to the Ilford film brand for new B/W, there little else now anyway. Xp2 is quite OK for shop or mail processing as Berndt mentioned.
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