You will need your exposed FILM, developing tank, towel and possibly gloves. (In the photography developing world, a TOWEL is just as important as in the fictional world of Douglas Adams. Don't leave home without it!) You will need the following chemical solutions: Developer, Fixer, HCA, and Photo-Flo. Try to keep all solutions at the same temperature. (This is completely out of your control.)
2. Load film in Total Darkness
Confine self in claustrophobic closet. LOCK THE DOOR to protect yourself from anyone walking in (especially Chad, who seems to gain some sordid pleasure from this). Load film onto dry reel, put into tank and close light-tight cover before opening door. (Keep away from floor! Light comes in under the door.)
3. Water Presoak (optional)
Fill tank with plain water. Agitate for one minute. (Only Kodak film. Ilford users get to skip this step.)
4. Development (FG-7 1:15)
Check Temperature Chart for Time of Processing. (Approx. 12 minutes.) Developer is mixed at a 1:15 ratio, (i.e. 1 oz. of developer to 15 oz. of water, totaling 16 oz.) Pour developer in and agitate first 30 sec. (Agitate= gently invert tank, then "revert" to mix chemicals thoroughly.) Then agitate by inverting the tank 5 times (with each inversion taking about one sec.) every 30 sec. Pour developer back into graduate. DO NOT POUR DOWN DRAIN. We try to not contaminate the water supply. (Old developer goes into the barrel in the darkroom.)
5. Stop Bath (i.e. Water)
Fill tank with plain water at the same temperature as developer. (Again, this is controlled by the strange machine that takes care of water temp.) Agitate for one minute. Pour water down drain. (This apparently is safe enough to add to Norman's water supply.)
6. Fixer
Fill tank with pre-measured amount of fixer, i.e. 16 oz. Agitate for one minute. Then agitate by inverting the tank 10 times (inversion = 1 sec) every minute, for 5 minutes total. Pour used Fixer back into Fix bucket. (This can be reused until it no longer works. Someone else decides this for you.)
7. Rinse
Fill tank with plain water and agitate 10 sec. Repeat 3 times. (Can be poured into sink.)
8. HCA
Pour pre-measured amount (i.e. 16 oz.) of HCA into tank and agitate for first 30 sec, then occasional agitation for a total of 3 min. Pour HCA into "used" HCA bucket. (This is later used in processing prints.)
9. Wash
Place reel w/film into washer for 5 min. (If there is no HCA, wash in washer for ~20 min.)
10. Photo-Flo
Place reel w/film into Photo-Flo and agitate for 30 sec. (This helps keep water spots from forming on your film.)
11. Drying
Carry film in reel to dryer. Hang film in dryer. Follow instructions. (Usually dries for 20 minutes. Careful not to open door w/o waiting 30 sec.)
12. Finishing
When film is completely dry, cut it carefully into strips of 5, and place in protective negative sheets. Now you are ready to make a contact sheet.
