Cost of developing your film

[joshuachan28]

Just came back from Ruby today. Asked the uncle how much was it for a whole set of developing equipment and chemicals. He told me its a whopping 170 dollars! The 170 bucks gives you the tank ($30~), the thermometer ($20), the measuring cylinder($9), the developer, the fixer, the stop bath and one more chemical i cant remember and the changing bag ($33). He said the solutions will probably only get you 10 rolls of film or so. Any way to cut down the costs? Do i really need to buy a 33 dollar changing bag? Can't i just sew one myself or something? I'm still a student and 170 bucks is really quite a lot but I'm really interested in developing my own B&W film.

 

[azzurri]

Actually the items like the tank, bag, thermometer are the fixed cost. The main recurring cost for developing is really your chemicals. There are some chemicals like the stop bath that can be reused so you can save on some cost for that.

On the changing bag, you do not really need it if you have a place to spool that is completely dark. There are people who cramp into their cupboard to do this. I do not think it is very advisable to sew your own bag as the material and effort might not be really worth it.

For the measuring cylinders, you can easily get them at those places that sell measuring jugs for cooking. I basically got mine from supermarkets and Daiso. You can also get syringes to measure some of the chemicals. For the thermometers, you can also go and find in supermarkets at the section where they sell the baking and cooking stuff; might save a little bit of money there.

 

[welspain]

i agree with azzurri...

only buy from them the things that you can't buy from other places like dev tank, changing bag and chemicals. if you're really tight on your budget. don't buy stop bath, just use plain water instead, and a good substitute for wetting agent is a dish washing liquid.

 

[catchlights]

Just came back from Ruby today. Asked the uncle how much was it for a whole set of developing equipment and chemicals. He told me its a whopping 170 dollars! The 170 bucks gives you the tank ($30~), the thermometer ($20), the measuring cylinder($9), the developer, the fixer, the stop bath and one more chemical i cant remember and the changing bag ($33). He said the solutions will probably only get you 10 rolls of film or so. Any way to cut down the costs? Do i really need to buy a 33 dollar changing bag? Can't i just sew one myself or something? I'm still a student and 170 bucks is really quite a lot but I'm really interested in developing my own B&W film.

$170 is very cheap liao, to set up a darkroom is even more expensive, but if you only intend to process one or two rolls of film each month, better send the film to someone to do the processing for you.

if you are staying the flat with bomb shelter, you can use it to reel the film, don't have to get a changing bag.

btw, you can check out b&s here, see anybody give up hobby, you can get some items very cheap.

 

[flowerpot]

u can try
Seng Cheong Co.,LTD
Room #04-01,ICB Enterprise House,116 Middle Road,Singapore 188972

much cheaper...

actually no need to buy everything from ruby... i oni get the paterson tank from them plus the fixer... the rest i bought elsewhere...

measuring cylinder, funnel, thermometer, stop watch etc can get very cheap at many convenience stores...

changing bag i bought online, cheaper also...

my dev solution is enough to last me a lifetime i think... 50 rolls per bottle and i have 5 bottles..:bsmilie:

 

[Yoricko]

They didn't have the changing bag in stock for a month, so I just did it at midnight with curtains closed with a blanket over everything. Troublesome.

Cheap developers = HC110

 

[sloth]

Just came back from Ruby today. Asked the uncle how much was it for a whole set of developing equipment and chemicals. He told me its a whopping 170 dollars! The 170 bucks gives you the tank ($30~), the thermometer ($20), the measuring cylinder($9), the developer, the fixer, the stop bath and one more chemical i cant remember and the changing bag ($33). He said the solutions will probably only get you 10 rolls of film or so. Any way to cut down the costs? Do i really need to buy a 33 dollar changing bag? Can't i just sew one myself or something? I'm still a student and 170 bucks is really quite a lot but I'm really interested in developing my own B&W film.

Dark bag is must-have unless you have a completely blacked out room. The tank is no choice, must have.

My method is slightly different. I skip the thermometer and use room temperature water. (this messes up all your timings - you will need to re-calculate different timings for your own work.) I use a syringe from a pharmacy (less than a dollar), to measure HC-110 ($19.50 for nearly 90 rolls worth) into a mineral water bottle (recycled).

I do not use a stop bath and photoflo. Fixer is re-useable, in fact, I have gone through 100 rolls and I haven't finished a liter of Ilford Rapid Fix yet. I dilute 200ml 1:4 for each batch of fix and use it for about 20 rolls or thereabouts.

Operating cost is around 30 cents per roll

 

[reyreina]

u can try
Seng Cheong Co.,LTD
Room #04-01,ICB Enterprise House,116 Middle Road,Singapore 188972

much cheaper...

actually no need to buy everything from ruby... i oni get the paterson tank from them plus the fixer... the rest i bought elsewhere...

measuring cylinder, funnel, thermometer, stop watch etc can get very cheap at many convenience stores...

changing bag i bought online, cheaper also...

my dev solution is enough to last me a lifetime i think... 50 rolls per bottle and i have 5 bottles..:bsmilie:

Hihi, may i know what developer you use that can last 50rolls? and how much per bottle?

 

[mdzmr]

Actually you don't need so much things.
What you need is of cause the developer, fixer & developing thank.
Measuring cylinder, I use a plastic cylinder come with measurement. Get it from bakery shop. Even the thermometer.
Timer you can use ur digital watch, I believe it has a stop watch.
Changing bag is an optional. I reel up my film in my room( off all light ) and cover with blanket.

If I'm not wrong I spend less than $70 bucks.

 

[mdzmr]

i agree with azzurri...

only buy from them the things that you can't buy from other places like dev tank, changing bag and chemicals. if you're really tight on your budget. don't buy stop bath, just use plain water instead, and a good substitute for wetting agent is a dish washing liquid.

Or even u can skip the developer subsitute wit instant coffee+washing soda.( just get prepare to get scolding from ur mom for finished up the household items):bsmilie::bsmilie:

I'm still experiment it now.

 

[swimmingskies]

Just came back from Ruby today. Asked the uncle how much was it for a whole set of developing equipment and chemicals. He told me its a whopping 170 dollars! The 170 bucks gives you the tank ($30~), the thermometer ($20), the measuring cylinder($9), the developer, the fixer, the stop bath and one more chemical i cant remember and the changing bag ($33). He said the solutions will probably only get you 10 rolls of film or so. Any way to cut down the costs? Do i really need to buy a 33 dollar changing bag? Can't i just sew one myself or something? I'm still a student and 170 bucks is really quite a lot but I'm really interested in developing my own B&W film.

the changing bag is if you don't have a darkroom, it needs to be totally light tight when you put your film on to the reel.
don't sew it yourself ;A; but i've heard of people who can turn bathrooms into darkrooms temporarily, you could try that

the equipment is already at quite a good rate.
the chemicals cost a bomb, but they can be reused quite alot, depending on how fussy you are.

 

[swimmingskies]

Actually you don't need so much things.
What you need is of cause the developer, fixer & developing thank.
Measuring cylinder, I use a plastic cylinder come with measurement. Get it from bakery shop. Even the thermometer.
Timer you can use ur digital watch, I believe it has a stop watch.
Changing bag is an optional. I reel up my film in my room( off all light ) and cover with blanket.

If I'm not wrong I spend less than $70 bucks.

never thought of that, but my room has thin curtains T3T

 

[Yoricko]

never thought of that, but my room has thin curtains T3T

Clip/Scoth tape/Glue/Whatever a thick blanket over the curtains.
What I did last time. Hahaha.

 

[joshuachan28]

I like the many numerous methods of trying to lower the cost! I think i'll probably get the tank, HC110 developer, fixer and changing bag. The rest i'll buy separately like what you guys suggested.

 

[pyrique]

is there any place other than ruby that sells developing chemicals? thanks

 

[The Dry Box]

is there any place other than ruby that sells developing chemicals? thanks

Cathay photo? Though I would like to know more such other places too...

 

[Caiwj]

go diaso get the 2 bucks measuring container.

 

[Lomographer]

anyone here wants me to create a film and processing price guides?

 

[creampuff]

My suggestion for those starting out is to use liquid developer rather than in powdered form.
Easier to mix and dilute plus you don't have to mix up and store large amounts. May be a little more expensive but I find it more convenient.

 

[joshuachan28]

anyone here wants me to create a film and processing price guides?

Yeah sounds good mann! When i go down to ruby (hopefully soon) i will ask the uncle!