Old-school camera help! (Totally NBR)

megahof · October 2011

Does anyone on this board know anything about developing photos at home? (I know, this is the farthest thing from being baby-related, but since it seems there are some mighty crafty people here, I thought it wouldn't hurt to see if anyone might have any knowledge about this.)

Long introduction aside, I think I have an idea about what to get my husband for Christmas this year. He has recently become VERY interested in photography, particularly film photography. A few months ago he unearthed his old camera from high school and has been snapping away nonstop. (He's pretty good, too!) The problem comes with developing the film. The only place around here that will actually develop film without charging an arm and a leg is Target, and quite frankly, the Target here kind of sucks. They do a decent job, but the employees there are next to impossible to work with, and it always ends up being a big headache.

So, I thought a nice Christmas present for him would be (in addition to buying him a whole mess of film) to set him up with a starter kit to develop his photos here at home. I think it can be done relatively inexpensively. I know there are some hardware things he would need (canisters, etc.), as well as chemicals.

I've started Googling stuff, but there's so much information out there (some of which is contradictory), and I'm getting a bit overwhelmed. Does anyone here have any experience developing film at home, or does anyone know anyone who does who can give me an idea of some basic equipment I should look into? It would be such a big help to have a starting place to point me in the right direction.

Mackalack · October 2011

Well, the first major thing you need is a darkroom. It's been awhile since I've developed my own film (middle school), but it was a ton of fun when I did it. I wish I had more to say about it, but if you don't have a room in your house that's totally dark you may not be able to do it.

Cajb520 · October 2011

Hi there!

I actually grew up with a darkroom and have been developing my own film for a long time. It's the only way to really get it to look the way you want it too-- especially since now it's harder than ever to find places that still develop. I can't wait to show my LO how it all works because even years later, it still seems like magic when the images appear on the film, and ultimately the paper.

That said, probably a quick chat would be the best way to find out a bit more about what he does and what makes sense to buy. Good news is that these days this stuff is cheap and much of the equiptment is being sold rock bottom on ebay etc. Why don't you PM me your email address and we can start a dialogue. Happy to help in any way to keep this "lost art" alive! And your kiddo(s) will love it waaay more than watching daddy use photoshop...

susie2242 · October 2011

I have all the equipment. DH got it for me our first christmas together. I know he spent alot of money on it and at the time I was really excited. I've never used it.

You need a well ventilated, light tight room to do it all in. You also need all the chemicals you have to mix and dispose of yourself. It can't go down a drain. These are reasons I never did it at home.

What I really enjoyed was using the local community college's dark room. Maybe look into a public dark room he can use or pay for a class so he can have access to the lab.

Good luck!

Cajb520 · October 2011

Oh- and to follow up on the other poster's note on a dark room: Film developing (taking film that's been shot and "curing" it for use as a negative) can be done in something as simple as a bathroom or laundry room or basement. Paper developing (exposing the film image to the paper to make a print) requires more space, but is something that can also be done in a creative way in other rooms in the house. So chances are there's a way to make it work....

Talk soon!

megahof · October 2011

Mackalack:
Well, the first major thing you need is a darkroom. It's been awhile since I've developed my own film (middle school), but it was a ton of fun when I did it. I wish I had more to say about it, but if you don't have a room in your house that's totally dark you may not be able to do it.

Fortunately, I think we've got the perfect space in our basement for this - it's a little room complete with a large workbench. All I'd need to do is block out the little light that comes in through the one tiny window near the top of the wall, which would take little to no effort here.

megahof · October 2011

Cajb520:
Why don't you PM me your email address and we can start a dialogue.

OK, dumb question - how do I PM here?

Cajb520 · October 2011

Click "Contact" in the bottom of any post and it will allow you to send the poster a personal message. Then it's easier to switch to reg email bc the Bump system never gives notices of new messages (that I can figure out!)...

Want a personalized experience?

Old-school camera help! (Totally NBR)

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