HOW TO'S
This page will deal with how you, the relatively inexperienced or perhaps just forgetful photographer, can...
Develop Negatives
D-76
STOP
FIX
Permawash
Rinse
PhotoFlo
Create Prints
Dektol
STOP
FIX
Rinse
Find Safety Info
Firstly, stock solutions are kept in the darkroom. Should you ever find that the darkroom has run out of a chemical, please email one of the darkroom managers and, usually within the day, a darkroom manager will be in to mix more. Also, please remember to turn off the red lights when you leave the darkroom.
D-76
D-76 is the developer used for film. The club keeps a stock solution in the cupboard that needs to be diluted before use. D-76 is diluted 1:1 with water to make the working solution.
| Number of Rolls | Total Volume of Working Solution | |
|---|---|---|
| US Fluid oz | mL | |
| 1 | 12 | 350 |
| 2 | 18 | 550 |
| Number of Rolls | Total Volume of Working Solution | |
|---|---|---|
| US Fluid oz | mL | |
| 1 | 7 1/2 | 250 |
| 2 | 15 | 450 |
| 3 | 23 | 650 |
| 4 | 30 | 850 |
The length of time you need to develop depends on the temperature of the solution and the type of film. Check the Developing Chart on the wall to find the time for you. Agitate every minute or so. At the end of the devloping time, pour out the developer and pour in the STOP. The D-76 working solution can be used once more if you'll be developing another roll right away. Otherwise, the working solution can be poured down the drain with running water.
STOP Bath: Film
STOP is used to stop your film or paper from developing further. For film, use as much STOP as you used D-76 working solution. STOP does not need to be diluted. Agitate for 1 minute. STOP can be used until it turns purple. If still yellow, return to the stock bottle. If purple, pour the drain with running water. FIX: Film
FIX is used to remove extra silver making your neagtives safe to light and will keep your stuff from turning purple. For film, use as much FIX as you used D-76 working solution. FIX does not need to be diluted.
Agitate every minute for 5-10 minutes depending on the type of film you have, some brands take longer than others. At the end of the FIX time, check to see if your negatives look purple. If so, FIX for another few minutes. You can check to see if the FIX is exhausted using hypocheck. Squeeze 2 drops into the FIX you're using and if a white solid forms, the FIX is dead. Dead FIX SHOULD NOT GO DOWN THE DRAIN! Find the bottle marked DEAD FIX and pour it in there. If you don't see anything with hypocheck, the FIX is fine and can be poured back in the stock bottle. Hypoclear (Permawash)
Permawash is a rinse-aid, it helps to remove residual FIX and shorten the final washing times. The time savings are only really significant when you're using fiber paper so Permawash is not strictly necessary. Use the permawash from the stock bottle as is for 2 minutes and then return to bottle. Wash
A final water wash is needed to remove any chemicals that may still be on your film. Wash with running water for 5-10 minutes. PhotoFlo
PhotoFlo helps to protect your negatives and prevent water spots from forming on them as they dry. PhotoFlo is diluted 1:1 with from the stock bottle. Use enough to submerge your film and then remove and hang to dry. PhotoFlo solution can be used several times and can be poured down the drain with water at the end of the day. Hang your film to dry.
Dektol
Dektol is the developer used for paper prints. The club keeps a stock solution in the cupboard that needs to be diluted before use. Dektol is diluted 1 Dektol: 2 water to make the working solution. Make only enough working solution so that you can completly submerge a print in the bottom of a developing tray. Leave your print in the tray until it stops developing (about 90 seconds). Remove the print and place it in the STOP. Dektol turns brown as it's exposed to air so don't worry if your working solution looks brown. The dektol is exhausted when the blacks on your print look sort of washed out and grey. Dektol working solution can be poured down the drain with running water once you're done making prints for the day. STOP Bath: Prints
STOP is used to stop your film or paper from developing further. For paper prints, use enough STOP to cover the print. Submerge for 30sec- 1 minute. STOP does not need to be diluted. STOP can be used until it turns purple. If still yellow, return to the stock bottle. If purple, pour the drain with running water. FIX: Prints
FIX is used to remove extra silver making your prints safe to light and will keep your stuff from turning purple. Once your prints are submerged in FIX you can turn the lights on to look at them. Pour out enough fix so that you can completly submerge a print in the bottom of a tray. FIX does not need to be diluted. Fix for 5-10 minutes and then move your print to the rinse.You can check to see if the FIX is exhausted using hypocheck. Squeeze 2 drops into the FIX you're using and if a white solid forms, the FIX is dead. Dead FIX SHOULD NOT GO DOWN THE DRAIN! Find the bottle marked DEAD FIX and pour it in there. If you don't see anything with hypocheck, the FIX is fine and can be poured back in the stock bottle. Wash
A Final water wash is needed to completly remove any chemicals from your print. Wash with running water for 5-10 minutes then squeege and lay flat or hang to dry.