Developing slide film

[DB]

I'm interested in learning what is involved in developing slide film at
home. Can anyone recommend any good books on this subject or even
possibly some web sites? Any advice would be appreciated.

Don B.

--
"The most important thing in art is THE FRAME. For painting, literally;
for other arts, figuratively-because, without this humble appliance, you
can't know where THE ART stops and THE REAL WORLD begins. You have to
put a "box" around it because otherwise, what is that shit on the wall?"

Frank
Zappa

[Dirk J. Bakker]

Hi Don,

Nothing could be simpler and more rewarding. My suggestion:

Get

1. a very good thermometer (ą1/2 degree F), Weston model 2265 is the one I
use,
if you're serious DON'T skimp here,
2. Stainless steel tank and reel, same as above,
3. Smallest (at first) kit of solution process E-6,
4. 2 wash basins: one deep enough to hold the tank in with water jacket at
same height as liquid inside
tank, the second usually taller for the solutions,
5. Enough (3-4 and size depending on chemistry used) graduated plastic
cylinders to hold the solutions,
6. One twice the size graduated cylinder for mixing solutions in, and later
for in between water washes,
7. One very small one for measuring small quantities accurately,
8. Stirring rod,
9. Changing bag (or load film in a darkroom),
10. Weighted film clips and a squeege to dry film, and
11. A count down timer.

The kit's instructions are usually all you need to read. The Time-Life Photo
series' "The film" had an excellent description of the process as do several
Kodak books. Become familiar with the "drift" method in case you have
problems keeping temperatures steady. Do at least one or several 'dry' runs
(waste roll of film and just water, but at proper temperatures, in all
containers) to get acquainted with timing, temperature changes and any
possible pitfalls. Remember timing, temperature and good agitation technique
are everything. You have to allow for fill and drain time and be consistent!
Take notes on temperature changes of solutions starting and as they drain
out and of your room also. Practice drawing water (for the water jackets and
mixing chemistry) from the tap at high enough temperature to get all
solutions at the starting temperature at the same time. Towards that end I
would keep a kettle of hot water AND a tub with ice water handy.

What a joy to see the little images that first time. Wow! Oh and good luck.

Let me know if you have any further questions,

Dirk

[jli...@my-dejanews.com]

In article <364392B8...@earthlink.net>,

DB <db...@earthlink.net> wrote:
> I'm interested in learning what is involved in developing slide film at
> home. Can anyone recommend any good books
>
>

Pick up a copy of the Kodak Color Darkroom Data Guide. It has complete
instructions for doing E-6 slide films, and as a plus its prety easy to
understand.

Lindy

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[ns...@my-dejanews.com]

In article <720g89$b7j$1...@nnrp1.dejanews.com>,

jli...@my-dejanews.com wrote:
> In article <364392B8...@earthlink.net>,
> DB <db...@earthlink.net> wrote:
> > I'm interested in learning what is involved in developing slide film at
> > home. Can anyone recommend any good books
> >
> >
>
>
>

> There are two chemical processes available for processing slide film at home,

they are E6 and 3E6, the E6 process requires 6 (actually 7) chemicals plus
wahes and the 3 E6 requires 3 (actually 4 ) chemicals plus washes. Kodak
makes a realy nice home hobby 3E6 pack. If you buy this, it comes with
excellent instructions for processing your films. You will need:-

01. 3E6 chemicals pack
02. Developing Tank
03. Running Hot and Cold water
04. Accurate photographic thermometer
05. Bottle Opener or film leader retriever
06. Changing Bag (Not needed if you do it in total darkness)
07. An Accurate timing watch or timer

The process is relatively simple. Bring a water bath of about 6 litres to
correct processing temperature. You can do this by mixing hot and cold
water, and checking with your thermometer. With time, you can do this
quickly. I just use this for a temepering bath. I bring th chemicals (mixed
per instructions) to the right temperature by holding the bottle under hot
water tap till a few degrees warmer. Then I wait till the temperature is
reached. You only need accurate temeperature control for first and color
developers by the way. The remaining chemicals have a higher tolerance
range. After this it is just a matter of dumping in the chemicals into the
tank, agitating per instructions, dumping out (at least 7-8 secs before time
finishes) and dumping in the second chemical. Washes can be done with water
under a tap, or by dumping in water and dumping it out eight times.

Straight off, I will tell you the process is messy, chemical mixing and
storing is hard work, film loading is something you need to learn, and timing
the process accurately while keeping temperature control tedious. The
process also takes about 40 minutes not counting mixing, preparation and
clean up. Then you have to acuratley cut and mount the individual slides
Although you do save money in the long run, you have to really love home
developing to justify this in my opinion. Look into automatic film
processors if you do a lot of slide film like JOBO ATL1500. It automatically
controls the process.

If you want the full manual option, get a multi reel tank that will take upto
5 (at least 2) reels at a time. this will save on time and labour
substantially!

Hope this helpes. Contact me personaly for anyyy further help!

Cheers!!!!!!!

NICKSTER

[Jim]

I just caught this thread and don't know how long it's been going. I have
been developing slides since E4. I have found that the temperatures in the
first and color developers are critical for good color. Some minor
experimenting with these have found a significant difference in the
vividness of the color with just a little shift in temperature. This was
more of an issue with E4.
I use a turkey roaster as my water bath for my chemicals. i found one at
a garage sale for $10.00 complete with stand. Over the years I have found
the perfect place for the correct temp and marked it on the temp dial. Now
I add my water put the temp dial in place. I place seperate scientific
calibrated thermometers (available at any scientific supply house for about
$25) in the first and color developers. The roaster has enough of a bath
that when it gets to temp it stays there and doesn't shift fast. giving me
plenty of time to work. This has worked great for more years than I care to
say.

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