Re cost of getting into film development - when I restarted after 25 some years, in '09, this is what I got, all new from B&H:
SAMIGON 35/120 tank with reels -= - I went with this because a) the reel has the large tabs b) at the time it was the cheapest B&H carried,,,
Actually here's what I bought that day, including the film and shipping it came to $108
Quote: Kodak PXP 120 (PLUS-X PAN PRO) - KOPXP120 2 $3.99
$7.98
Kodak TX 135-36 (TRI-X PAN 400) - KOTX36 1 $3.59
$3.59
Kalt GRADUATE 21 oz 600 CC - KAG21O 1 $5.95
$5.95
General Brand SS DIAL THERMOMETER (1-3/4") - GBTDSS1.75 1 $14.95
$14.95
Kodak PHOTO-FLO 200 SOLUTION 16-oz - KOPF200P 1 $7.95
$7.95
Kodak T-MAX DEVELOPER 1-gal - KOTMDG 1 $13.50
$13.50
Ilford ILFOSTOP STOP BATH 500ml - ILISB500ML 1 $5.95
$5.95
Ilford RAPID FIXER 1-lit - ILRFL 1 $9.50
$9.50
Samigon UNIVERSAL PLASTIC DEV TANK w/2-REELS - SATU 1 $29.95
$29.95
Having used this stuff for 1 1/2 years, I'm still on the same stop, fixer and photo flo. The Tmax developer is excellent; however I was able to buy D-76 at $2 per gallon so I'm using that instead.
I bought a small funnel at the hardware store, use soda bottles for to hold mixed chemicals, used the darkest closet as dark area, develop in the kitchen so I use kitchen timers, and I already had some YASHICA brand film clips
tho anything that clips works.
Since then I invested in a good large changing bag - from roger_luo on ebay, he's got the best, an the larger the better.
For 35mm you also need a bottle opener and scissors.
The biggest problem I had had to do with the two Kodak bottles being too similar: I developed 2 rolls at once, in Photo Flo
and I still rue that as I had some good pics on those rolls too...