Developing MF film

**mnovikov** · 04-07-2013, 10:06 AM

Guys,
I looked over the last threads and didn't see this topic discussed lately.

How to develop 120/220 film for a reasonable price?
I used to use Walmart which would develop and print small prints for single dollars a roll. Looks like this service is over. What do you recommend to use now?

Thanks,
Maxim
645N with bunch of lenses and I just love the camera even though it's obsolete :-)

Last edited by mnovikov; 04-07-2013 at 11:00 AM. Reason: typo

MysteryOnion · 04-07-2013, 10:16 AM

Originally posted by mnovikov

645 with bunch of lenses and I just love the camera even though it's obsolete

As they make film it is far from obsolete.

So, on the subject of developing... you looking to do DIY processing or looking for a lab?

**mnovikov** · 04-07-2013, 10:21 AM

Lab for sure. I wouldn't dare to develop color film at home. I know it's possible, but not this year at least

MysteryOnion · 04-07-2013, 01:23 PM

"The Darkroom" 220 is $10 a roll ... Film Developing - 120 Film Developing and Scanning to CD for only $10!

"Blue Moon" 220 is about $7 a roll ... 120 Developing | Blue Moon Camera and Machine

**mnovikov** · 04-09-2013, 07:28 AM

Originally posted by MysteryOnion

"The Darkroom" 220 is $10 a roll ... Film Developing - 120 Film Developing and Scanning to CD for only $10!

"Blue Moon" 220 is about $7 a roll ... 120 Developing | Blue Moon Camera and Machine

Thank you!

wombat2go · 04-09-2013, 09:21 AM

Just ordered from macodirect.de
The Rollei Digibase 5 litre kit EU 53, about USD $68.
Some Fuji C41 iso 160 5 packs for the old 120 cameras and some iso 800 for the 35 mm K mounts , at an average of about EU 4 per roll.
Shipping is expensive at EU 50 to USA but the total price is competitive to ordering in USA, also (it is said)
the Rollei kit is better than the Blix ones available in USA.
That will hopefully give me 5 sessions of say, 5 rolls per session over the next year into winter.

Approx Total: film $ 4 devel $4 per roll
So I can go out and spend an afternoon taking a roll of 120 for same price as 2 beers in the local bar.

Home developing C41 is rather interesting, It is necessary to keep a detailed log for next time!
I accumulate a few rolls, mix the solutions in 5 wide mouth Ball jars, develop rolls one at a time per 5~6 roll session, then discard the solutions. Time to do a roll is actually quicker than bw, but busy all the time with the stopwatch running. The wide mouth jars enable a quick dump of the solutions from the tank, screw the lid on, and put back in the hot water bath.
With 1 tank and 2 spirals, the solution is mixed to about 500 ml to do 1 roll at a time, while the other spiral dries. The developed rolls are hung up to dry in the dust proof hutch.

Now, I have to concentrate on composing better shots on the MF cameras, I have been using digital for too long!

stevebrot · 04-13-2013, 11:41 AM

Originally posted by MysteryOnion

"Blue Moon" 220 is about $7 a roll ... 120 Developing | Blue Moon Camera and Machine

Blue Moon is local for me and I can personally vouch for the quality of their processing. I use either Blue Moon or Citizen Photo in Portland for my C41 processing.

Steve

tuco · 04-13-2013, 12:45 PM

Originally posted by wombat2go

...
That will hopefully give me 5 sessions of say, 5 rolls per session over the next year into winter.
...

What's the shelf life of the mixed kit?

**TomB_tx** · 04-13-2013, 04:33 PM

I've had good luck with Dwayne's for 120.

**Buffy** · 04-14-2013, 06:14 AM

I can't tell your location from your profile, bu if you are anywhere in eastern Massachusetts there are two places I would recommend.

The first is Dorian Color in Arlington. They are not the least expensive, but they do excellent work and what I love about them is that it doesn't matter if you are Annie Leibovitz or, for example, me--they treat both you and your film the same.

The second is Colortek, a short walk from Boston's South Station. They charge less for 220 than does Dorian and are equally professional.

Buffy

wombat2go · 04-14-2013, 06:42 AM

Originally posted by tuco

What's the shelf life of the mixed kit?

Tuco,
I have read that the mixed solutions deteriorate in a few weeks so I intend to do sessions and discard.
I already did one batch of about 6 rolls on the one litre kit. So I will be happy with 30 rolls or so over 1 ~2 years

I copied this from macodirect.de (for the unmixed )

Digibase© C41 MAXI SUPER KIT f. 5 liter
For 100 films 400/27°
For 110 films 100/21°

The very high life period of the original concentrates is min. 3 years.
(Retention samples, produced 5 years ago, are still working well)
The only exception is color developer Part C.
The life period of color developer Part C is 2 - 3 years, depending on the storage temperatures.
Information:
The coloring of the Part C concentrate has to be yellow.
If the coloring changes into red, the concentrate does not work anymore.
In this case, you can buy single replacements for Part C:
#RDC05FC 100ml concentrate
#RDC01FC 1000ml concentrate

**mnovikov** · 04-23-2013, 03:16 PM

Guys, thank you for the answers!
I was always afraid to screw up the temp control.
How long does it take to develop a 5 film batch?

**mnovikov** · 04-23-2013, 03:17 PM

Thank you! I am in Cleveland. Local guys would develop, but it is about $15 as opposed to Walmart which was different each time but somewhat around $5 on average.

wombat2go · 04-24-2013, 04:39 AM

Originally posted by mnovikov

How long does it take to develop a 5 film batch?

You have to heat the bath to stable temperature say 3 hours unattended . I use a reptile keeper's temperature controller ($24 on Amazon) and a small electric cook top to keep the temperatures within about +/- 0.5 C
Mix the solutions, about 10 to 20 minutes
After that, say 5 minutes to spiral the film, 5 minutes in the solutions, and 5 minutes to dry the reel. That's 15 minutes per film. Dust free space is needed to hang up the films. They take more than 1 hour to dry.
Then discard the solutions and clean up, say 30 minutes
Anyway this can be done over a day.

04-07-2013, 10:06 AM	#1
mnovikov Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 37	Developing MF film Guys, I looked over the last threads and didn't see this topic discussed lately. How to develop 120/220 film for a reasonable price? I used to use Walmart which would develop and print small prints for single dollars a roll. Looks like this service is over. What do you recommend to use now? Thanks, Maxim 645N with bunch of lenses and I just love the camera even though it's obsolete :-) Last edited by mnovikov; 04-07-2013 at 11:00 AM. Reason: typo

04-09-2013, 09:21 AM	#6
wombat2go Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Michigan Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,207	Just ordered from macodirect.de The Rollei Digibase 5 litre kit EU 53, about USD $68. Some Fuji C41 iso 160 5 packs for the old 120 cameras and some iso 800 for the 35 mm K mounts , at an average of about EU 4 per roll. Shipping is expensive at EU 50 to USA but the total price is competitive to ordering in USA, also (it is said) the Rollei kit is better than the Blix ones available in USA. That will hopefully give me 5 sessions of say, 5 rolls per session over the next year into winter. Approx Total: film $ 4 devel $4 per roll So I can go out and spend an afternoon taking a roll of 120 for same price as 2 beers in the local bar. Home developing C41 is rather interesting, It is necessary to keep a detailed log for next time! I accumulate a few rolls, mix the solutions in 5 wide mouth Ball jars, develop rolls one at a time per 5~6 roll session, then discard the solutions. Time to do a roll is actually quicker than bw, but busy all the time with the stopwatch running. The wide mouth jars enable a quick dump of the solutions from the tank, screw the lid on, and put back in the hot water bath. With 1 tank and 2 spirals, the solution is mixed to about 500 ml to do 1 roll at a time, while the other spiral dries. The developed rolls are hung up to dry in the dust proof hutch. Now, I have to concentrate on composing better shots on the MF cameras, I have been using digital for too long! Last edited by wombat2go; 04-09-2013 at 09:26 AM.

04-14-2013, 06:14 AM	#10
Buffy Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Greater Boston area, Massachusetts Posts: 389	Re: Developing MF film I can't tell your location from your profile, bu if you are anywhere in eastern Massachusetts there are two places I would recommend. The first is Dorian Color in Arlington. They are not the least expensive, but they do excellent work and what I love about them is that it doesn't matter if you are Annie Leibovitz or, for example, me--they treat both you and your film the same. The second is Colortek, a short walk from Boston's South Station. They charge less for 220 than does Dorian and are equally professional. Buffy

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04-07-2013, 10:16 AM	#2
MysteryOnion Giveaway winner! Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: beantown Photos: Albums Posts: 944	Originally posted by mnovikov 645 with bunch of lenses and I just love the camera even though it's obsolete As they make film it is far from obsolete. So, on the subject of developing... you looking to do DIY processing or looking for a lab?

04-07-2013, 10:21 AM	#3
mnovikov Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 37 Original Poster	Lab for sure. I wouldn't dare to develop color film at home. I know it's possible, but not this year at least

04-07-2013, 01:23 PM	#4
MysteryOnion Giveaway winner! Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: beantown Photos: Albums Posts: 944	"The Darkroom" 220 is $10 a roll ... Film Developing - 120 Film Developing and Scanning to CD for only $10! "Blue Moon" 220 is about $7 a roll ... 120 Developing \| Blue Moon Camera and Machine

04-09-2013, 07:28 AM	#5
mnovikov Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 37 Original Poster	Originally posted by MysteryOnion "The Darkroom" 220 is $10 a roll ... Film Developing - 120 Film Developing and Scanning to CD for only $10! "Blue Moon" 220 is about $7 a roll ... 120 Developing \| Blue Moon Camera and Machine Thank you!

04-13-2013, 11:41 AM	#7
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by MysteryOnion "Blue Moon" 220 is about $7 a roll ... 120 Developing \| Blue Moon Camera and Machine Blue Moon is local for me and I can personally vouch for the quality of their processing. I use either Blue Moon or Citizen Photo in Portland for my C41 processing. Steve

04-13-2013, 12:45 PM	#8
tuco Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Pugetopolis Posts: 11,026	Originally posted by wombat2go ... That will hopefully give me 5 sessions of say, 5 rolls per session over the next year into winter. ... What's the shelf life of the mixed kit?

04-13-2013, 04:33 PM	#9
TomB_tx Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,446	I've had good luck with Dwayne's for 120.

04-14-2013, 06:42 AM	#11
wombat2go Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Michigan Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,207	Originally posted by tuco What's the shelf life of the mixed kit? Tuco, I have read that the mixed solutions deteriorate in a few weeks so I intend to do sessions and discard. I already did one batch of about 6 rolls on the one litre kit. So I will be happy with 30 rolls or so over 1 ~2 years I copied this from macodirect.de (for the unmixed ) Digibase© C41 MAXI SUPER KIT f. 5 liter For 100 films 400/27° For 110 films 100/21° The very high life period of the original concentrates is min. 3 years. (Retention samples, produced 5 years ago, are still working well) The only exception is color developer Part C. The life period of color developer Part C is 2 - 3 years, depending on the storage temperatures. Information: The coloring of the Part C concentrate has to be yellow. If the coloring changes into red, the concentrate does not work anymore. In this case, you can buy single replacements for Part C: #RDC05FC 100ml concentrate #RDC01FC 1000ml concentrate

04-23-2013, 03:16 PM	#12
mnovikov Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 37 Original Poster	Guys, thank you for the answers! I was always afraid to screw up the temp control. How long does it take to develop a 5 film batch?

04-23-2013, 03:17 PM	#13
mnovikov Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 37 Original Poster	Thank you! I am in Cleveland. Local guys would develop, but it is about $15 as opposed to Walmart which was different each time but somewhat around $5 on average.

04-24-2013, 04:39 AM	#14
wombat2go Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Michigan Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,207	Originally posted by mnovikov How long does it take to develop a 5 film batch? You have to heat the bath to stable temperature say 3 hours unattended . I use a reptile keeper's temperature controller ($24 on Amazon) and a small electric cook top to keep the temperatures within about +/- 0.5 C Mix the solutions, about 10 to 20 minutes After that, say 5 minutes to spiral the film, 5 minutes in the solutions, and 5 minutes to dry the reel. That's 15 minutes per film. Dust free space is needed to hang up the films. They take more than 1 hour to dry. Then discard the solutions and clean up, say 30 minutes Anyway this can be done over a day.