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Comment by earlz | Hacker News Reader

So how hard is it to DIY development? It seems like every couple of years I read an article like this one that gets me curious, because if I'm going to use physical rolls of film, I'd might as well develop it myself without waiting/paying a lab and to get that sense of pride when you do finally get a good photo.

I'm not someone that takes pictures much on my phone or anything, but reading this makes me want a cheap film camera like this where pictures aren't just throw away, you have to go through a process to even find that the picture turned out crappy.

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Not too hard but will require some patience and up front cost. Things you'll need:

- Curtains/plastic to seal off light in your bathroom ($10-30) OR a darkroom bag ($30)

- Universal film tank w/reel for 120/220 film ($30)

- Chemicals, depends on what film you're shooting with (black and white, C-41 color, E-6 slide color are most common), say $30 for a kit which will work for several rolls if stored properly

- Access to clean or distilled water (priceless)

- Measuring cup or cylinder ($1)

- Thermometer for chemicals and water ($10, not strictly required for "fun DIY" but important if you want any consistency in experimentation)

- Stopwatch (safe light if in a darkroom, if using a bag then your phone is fine)

- Containers for spent chemicals, check your local laws for disposal

The Holga camera is $40 new and 120 film is $5-10 a roll. Shoot a couple rolls. Use your expected least favorite roll to get the feel of getting it on the reel and into the canister for the first time. You'll likely get some fingerprints on the film. If using a bag it'll also steam up if you take a long time. The developing process will probably take 45m or more your first time depending on how organized you are. When you're done you can either look into making prints (similar process as the above but you'll need to purchase an enlarger, paper, trays to soak the paper, and an actual dark room or a really really big bag) OR getting them scanned for $0.50-2 a photo from ScanCafe or a somewhere local.

I would definitely recommend trying black & white first but mainly because it's cheaper to experiment with. Development with E-6 is almost exactly the same difficulty though the results may naturally vary more being in color.

Black and white is fairly simple and straightforward but still requires a totally dark room (or bag) and a bunch of sort of expensive chemicals that go bad (and some of which are fairly toxic for the environment).

Color is similar but more complicated with more expensive chemicals and more room for mistakes. You're almost always better off paying someone else to develop (in money and quality) though it's not nearly as satisfying.

Of course after you develop you need more stuff to make prints or a film scanner to get something useful from your negatives. More investment here - labs usually do this for you for a very small fee if you get it developed there.

I can't recommend developing your own color film, but black and white is fun to play with if you want to get a better understanding of the process. If you're just doing a few rolls occasionally though then development is probably the best option.

> I can't recommend developing your own color film, but black and white is fun to play with if you want to get a better understanding of the process. If you're just doing a few rolls occasionally though then development is probably the best option.

Yea B&W only, from my research that was what I gathered too. I wasn't aware the chemicals expired though, I assumed you bought some and just processed whenever and you were good to go

If kept consistently refrigerated in low light chemicals can last a long time (years). However because you only get one shot at developing a roll it's more comforting to follow the manufacturer's recommendation. I stopped shooting B&W for a long time and then used some chemicals that were in the fridge more than 5 years and the results were fine– any effect it may have had on the sharpness or contrast weren't noticeable. Photography stores may even sell you expired film and chemicals at a discount because they are riskier but often usable.

... reading this makes me want a cheap film camera like this where pictures aren't just throw away, you have to go through a process to even find that the picture turned out crappy.

I borrowed a friend's old Canon AE-1 35mm. Not quite the same as the Holga, as the Canon was a nice camera in it's day. Anyways, my biggest "problem" using it that I've become accustomed to instant feedback with digital cameras. I haven't developed anything yet - waiting until I have a few rolls, as the closest shop that still develops in-house is a 30+ minute drive into the city.

That is partly why I had rather just develop my own for black and white. For color the process looks painful enough that I'd rather send it to a lab though

Really easy. I even did it as a kid (12 years old.)

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