Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/07/23
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]> >I'd like to have more of a hand in processing my black and white photos, >but don't have room for a full-on darkroom. I'd be happy to be able to >process and print contact sheets for now, leaving the final printing to a >local b&w lab. So, I have 2 questions...are there decent film processors >available (I hear "Jobo" mentioned) that allow one to process in one step? > >Second, is there such a thing that will produce a contact print with a >minimum of cost/space? > If you want to have 'more of a hand in processing your b&w photos' (which I take to mean that you want to have more control), then I do not think that printing contact sheets should be high on your list of priorities. I use contact sheet for three reasons only, none of which are remotely dependent on who has made the sheet, or if it is a bit too dark or too light or too contrasty or too anything. BTW, the reason I use contact sheets are: to locate negatives without having to handle a lot of them, to judge.e.g. facial expressions, and to have a first rough go at cropping. Although I develop hundreds of rolls a year, I have never felt any need for a processor. I have however felt very strong urges for extra bodies, wide angle and telephoto lenses, filters of several colors and diameters, tripods etc. and I have given in to all of these urges. But processors for b&w: Never. I have several daylight processing tanks. I think you need one for a single film, and two that takes two films. Use more than two tank simultaneously and there is a very real risk that you make an error when emptying or filling the tanks with liquids. If you think you will have more than four films to process at the same time, then buy larger tanks. Stainless steel or plastic reels? Please yourself, but get enough reels so that you don't tempt yourself to load film onto -almost- dry reels. There is no such thing as almost dry reels. Reels are either dry or wet. You can not load film into wet reels. Period. Tanks are relatively inexpensive. The thing to look for is if it is easy _and quick_ to pour in the liquids, and if the liquid leaves the tank quickly and in one nice stream so you can easily pour it back into a wide neck bottle without using a funnel. I prefer Paterson, but I also use Jobo and Kaiser because their reels can be changed to accommodate roll film The films have to be put into the tank in total darkness, but this has never been a problem for me. If the most suitable room is not quite dark, then put the film and the tank inside a thick jacket and put your arms into the jacket the wrong way round. Not quite as good as a changing bag, and it certainly does not work in bright sunlight. But it is free and does not take up any extra space. Manual processing is not one step as you were asking about. And it takes about half an hour which I find very relaxing. Looking at a stop watch and a thermometer while turning a little black can is relaxing. Takes you mind of mundane problems. Just remember to convince everybody around you that what you do is real important and you must not be disturbed. My vacation home has no darkroom but I process several dozen films there every year. I make no contact sheets, but I bring a small light box and a loupe so that I can judge the negatives with regard to sharpness, gradation etc etc, just in case there is a chance to reshoot if something has gone wrong. I am thinking of getting a scanner so that I can print my contact sheet using the computer - -- Christer Almqvist D-20255 Hamburg, Germany and/or F-50590 Regnéville-sur-Mer, France