Processing Black & White Films Step By Step

Getting Ready

    Any light-tight room can be used for loading the film on the developing reel, which must be done in total darkness.  Gather the developing tank and its top, reel, the film cassette opener, scissors, and the exposed film cassette.   Arrange these items in an orderly manner so you can locate them easily in the dark.

Loading The Film

    Turn out the lights, remove the flat end of the light-tight film cassette.  The film will emerge wrapped around a small plastic spool.  Find the films leader, and cut the leader off with a pair of scissors. Load the film on the reel with the emulsion side inward,  following the directions that came with the tank.   When you reach the end, cut the tape which secures the film to the cassette spool.   Place the reel into the tank, and make sure the tank top is properly sealed,   Now the lights can be turned on.
    Handle the film by its edges, since touching the emulsion may cause fingerprints of the negatives.

Start Development

    Check the temperature of the developer; 68 degrees is recommended.   The other chemicals, as well as wash water, should be the same temperature.
    Determine the exact developing time according to the developer temperature, following the developer's instructions.  If you use a "one-shot" developer, it will be discarded after one use.
    Once the tank lid has been attached start agitation

Agitating

    The primary purpose of agitation is to remove exhausted chemical solution from the immediate surface of the emulsion and allow fresh solution in its place.

Film Processing Steps
Using Arista ISO 400 film, developed using Arista film developer, at a temperature of 68 degrees.

Developer - The basic function of all developers is to make a latent image visible.  The action of developer upon exposed silver halide crystals within a film emulsion frees crystals that have been exposed to sufficient light and converts them to silver metal particles.   The concentration of silver metal is proportionately greater in those areas of the negative that have received greater illumination than those areas receiving less light.

Stop Bath - The primary function of the stop bath, is to halt the development process and to remove excess developer from the film.  Running water is sufficient for this purpose with most developers.

Fixer - The primary function of the fixer is to dissolve the undeveloped silver halide crystals within the film emulsion, forming a soluble salt compound that is subsequently washed away.  The chemical used today is sodium thiosulfate.

Rinse - Running Water

Clearing Agent - The purpose of a clearing agent is to reduce the rinsing time.

Wash - Running Water

Wetting Agent - The purpose of a wetting agent is to make the films surface "wetter" so water flows off it smoothly, preventing water spots or streaks on the film.

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