The D700 I shot on for years and years with what I consider a nice kit of AI-s glass (28 f/2.8 with CRC, 50 f/1.2, 105 f/1.8, and 180 f/2.8) started misbehaving and I don't find the Z cameras + FTZ adaptor very compelling, so I instead picked up an F2AS and some HP5+ to keep those lenses in action. Let's see what this film stuff is all about.
philipj wrote:
The D700 I shot on for years and years with what I consider a nice kit of AI-s glass (28 f/2.8 with CRC, 50 f/1.2, 105 f/1.8, and 180 f/2.8) started misbehaving and I don't find the Z cameras + FTZ adaptor very compelling, so I instead picked up an F2AS and some HP5+ to keep those lenses in action. Let's see what this film stuff is all about.
Dm386 wrote:
Start with black and white and develop and scan yourself and it’s not very expensive.
Yeah, that's why I'm starting with HP5+. Picked up a macro lens for my digital Leica setup for scanning too. Will be a little while before I get the first two rolls finished and dev'd and scanned, the delayed gratification is interesting to experience compared to shooting digital for the past 20 years. I have always been a manual focus shooter, and even with a digital camera I have been pretty selective taking photos, so it'll take some time to get through these first two rolls. Hopefully something interesting comes out.
Developed my first rolls of c-41 last night. Used the Bellini chemicals. Was super easy and fun. The times of mailing to a lab and waiting a week are over!
lifeandmylens wrote:
Developed my first rolls of c-41 last night. Used the Bellini chemicals. Was super easy and fun. The times of mailing to a lab and waiting a week are over!
lifeandmylens wrote:
Developed my first rolls of c-41 last night. Used the Bellini chemicals. Was super easy and fun. The times of mailing to a lab and waiting a week are over!
Bellini states in the information the kit is good for 16 24 exposure rolls. Let us know how many 36 exposure rolls it’ll do.
Nice results!
madNbad wrote:
Bellini states in the information the kit is good for 16 24 exposure rolls. Let us know how many 36 exposure rolls it’ll do.
Nice results!
Thanks will do. I bought a separate liter of developer to extend the life of the kit. Will see when I need to use it. I'm guessing I'll know when colors get a little strange?
Based on some research it looks like maybe next batch I should do a wash in between bleach and fix to extend the life of the fix, but will see.
So going forward, I add 2% dev time to each roll that's been processed with the same chemicals?
lifeandmylens wrote:
Thanks will do. I bought a separate liter of developer to extend the life of the kit. Will see when I need to use it. I'm guessing I'll know when colors get a little strange?
Based on some research it looks like maybe next batch I should do a wash in between bleach and fix to extend the life of the fix, but will see.
So going forward, I add 2% dev time to each roll that's been processed with the same chemicals?
Both the edge markings and the space between the negatives are your best indicator of chemistry efficacy. Good idea to give each subsequent roll a little bump in time. Just guessing, easily ten and maybe as many as twelve. The staff at the shop is going to miss you 😢
lifeandmylens wrote:
Developed my first rolls of c-41 last night. Used the Bellini chemicals. Was super easy and fun. The times of mailing to a lab and waiting a week are over!
Noice!
That was the main reason I started dev my own film - no waiting/shipping etc, As well as it being much cheaper. And more fun. And more satisfying.
I used a C-41 kit to develop about a dozen rolls that I had been carrying around for a decade or more. I had moved through 4 states and a few countries and just didn't want to spend the $120-200 to develop it knowing very little might turn out. So I used a C41 kit.
The part that surprised me is just how relatively easy it was to keep the developer a stable temperature. The main downside was how quick C41 working times are. You really have to factor in time to fill and empty the tank.
madNbad wrote:
Bellini states in the information the kit is good for 16 24 exposure rolls. Let us know how many 36 exposure rolls it’ll do.
Nice results!
I split the kit into 2 x 500ml sets. I've gotten 8 rolls out of the first set and I probably could've gotten more, but decided to stop. So looks like at least 16 rolls per kit assuming you're not pushing or doing all 800 speed films. The next set of 500ml I'll do 8 again and then do a couple test rolls pushing it to 10 and see how those last two turn out.
Since the thread started, I've updated the scanning camera to a A7CII, changed out the Negative Supply Pro Riser MK 1 for a newer, better Basic Riser MK 3 and I'm waiting for the 4X5 Lightsource Pro to arrive. The A7CII allows tethering with Lightroom and has really improved the workflow.
And, along with his ever improving developing and scanning skills, Shawn's children have grown!
what do you experienced film developers think about a film retriever where, even outside the changing back, you retrieve just the end of the film from the roll and just get it started on the spool before transferring the spool to the changing bag?
brick33308 wrote:
what do you experienced film developers think about a film retriever where, even outside the changing back, you retrieve just the end of the film from the roll and just get it started on the spool before transferring the spool to the changing bag?
I'd say a film retriever is a good thing to have in general.. not familiar with this particular model - but your question is regarding the practice shown in the video - to be honest, once I got the hang of it I didn't find it too difficult to cut off the film leader and manicure the edges, and fiddle the film into the spool in the bag.. think that's also quicker than getting the leader out with the retriever beforehand
But whatever works is fine!
brick33308 wrote:
what do you experienced film developers think about a film retriever where, even outside the changing back, you retrieve just the end of the film from the roll and just get it started on the spool before transferring the spool to the changing bag?
I just peel the cannister open in the bag. You can also use a bottle opener or a cannister opener to do the same thing, but peeling is easy enough. Also using a Hewes steel reel, which is super easy to load in the bag as well. Easier than the clip reels or the Paterson reels, so really no need to mess around prepping anything.
I do use a retriever if I've rewound mid-roll to pick up in another camera, though. Very useful there.
OffTrail wrote:
I just peel the cannister open in the bag. You can also use a bottle opener or a cannister opener to do the same thing, but peeling is easy enough. Also using a Hewes steel reel, which is super easy to load in the bag as well. Easier than the clip reels or the Paterson reels, so really no need to mess around prepping anything.
I do use a retriever if I've rewound mid-roll to pick up in another camera, though. Very useful there.
I once cut my thumb open really bad on the sharp edge of the canister while "peeling" it open, blood all over the film, been using an opener ever since 😅
The steel reels are easier to get the first few centimeters in, but I've always found the white plastic Jobo ones the easiest for "transporting" the whole roll in (need to keep them nice and clean though).
