View Full Version : Processing 16mm + 8mm B+W
I've got a lot of darkroom experience in still photography and noticed that Tmax and PlusX are both available in S8 and 16mm. Is it possible to process these films yourself? Has anyone done it? Where did you get the processing tank?
cyclone
10-24-2005, 10:07 AM
Don't recommend this, but a true (and maybe interesting) story...
I once had a shoot with rented equipment that I didn't have total confidence in. The shoot was the next morning, so no time for the lab. I developed a 50' test...yes, in my bathtub. Not pretty, but enough to show me that the lenses were good and there were no light leaks and the pressure plate was solid (acceptable gate weave). Successfully shot Vincent Price the next day. Good luck in finding the right equipment.
Cyclone, that is some HARD CORE FILM PROCESSING! I thought I had rigged some weird darkroom setups before, but that's awesome...
I don't think I can do that for a whole movie though...
David G. Smith
10-25-2005, 02:55 PM
There is no doubt that it can be done, but I would not bitch too much about dirt and scratches after you are done.
profnoxin
10-27-2005, 02:12 AM
The reason this is also not highly feasable - With cine film, you're going to be running this film through a projector, and if any significant amount of chemical has not been removed, large hairs, etc. you may end up with a very angry projectionist after your film burned their theater down. That or a very irate telecine operator having to clean all of the caked on emulsion off of their transfer heads.
ASA,
Anyone with some darkroon experience can process regular (double)8 or 100' rolls of 16mm B&W film. Did it back in film school on many occasions. Even made my own processing racks from 2 vinyl LPs connected with tinker toy sticks and rubber separator washers...primitive but it worked. In fact, that's the type of "develping drum" film was originally processed on in the silent days.
A better way if you're really into it, is to find an old Morse G3 100' developing tank.
You literally wind the film from one reel to another inside the tank for agitation, then rinse and dry it. Use of a standard hardening fixer will stabilize the emulsion for projection or printing, and a wetting agent will help it dry spot free.
Drying the film requires building your own drying rack or stringing 100' of celluloid back and forth through a room. Not attractive, but effective. :)
It's certainly an interesting learning experience.
Hope this helps.
Ken
David G. Smith
10-27-2005, 03:47 PM
What are vinyl LPs?
With care I would think you could do it quite successfully, especially since you have developing experience. The NW Film center here in Portland actually taught a workshop on doing just so, since the nearest lab is all the way up in Seattle (wish I'd found out about it in time to take it). Film is film. You have to be careful with still photography negatives, too, so I'm sure you've learned to be dilligent in that regard. Of course, the smaller surface of 8mm and 16mm means scratches and dirt appear larger, but as I'm just getting into the super-8 medium myself, I think it would be cool to be able to process my own "learning exercises."
Good luck!
Thanks for the help everyone. My film is truly being made on a shoestring budget, so I'm mainly trying to save money doing this. I'd still have to digitize the film to edit it. Most of the movie will be shot on my DVX-100A, but I want some Super8 at least for variety. Plus, if I can process it myself maybe I can actually afford to do a short someday on 16mm or Super8 and cut and splice the old fashioned way...it'd be good experience, especially since I love analog technology.
kplo, thanks for pointing me in the right direction on the developing tank. I'll keep an eye out for one of those. Do you have any experience with this one (http://cgi.ebay.com/8-16-35mm-Movie-Film-Processing-Tank-NIB_W0QQitemZ7556452119QQcategoryZ29993QQssPageNam eZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem) ? I just found it on eBay and it looks workable.
What are vinyl LPs?
LOL...you are joking right? I've got 300 LPs and I'll feel seriously old if somebody doesn't know what an LP is...
David G. Smith
10-27-2005, 08:46 PM
LOL...you are joking right? I've got 300 LPs and I'll feel seriously old if somebody doesn't know what an LP is...
Of course I know what LPs are, my Grand Dad was a big fan!!!
Just kidding. :laugh:
Gol durn kids these days with yer 'lectronic gadgetry and CDs. Why when I was a boy we had to shoot 8mm, process it in the bathtub, and hike uphill to the movie theater...both ways! :grin:
David G. Smith
10-28-2005, 03:26 PM
Gol durn kids these days with yer 'lectronic gadgetry and CDs. Why when I was a boy we had to shoot 8mm, process it in the bathtub, and hike uphill to the movie theater...both ways! :grin:
In the snow, without shoes!!! :thumbsup:
andygill
11-04-2005, 12:08 PM
I've got a lot of darkroom experience in still photography and noticed that Tmax and PlusX are both available in S8 and 16mm. Is it possible to process these films yourself? Has anyone done it? Where did you get the processing tank?
It is very possible using a G3 or Lomo developing tank. (ebay is a good source).
Reversal kits are available in the UK from Siliver Print UK.
I have found Fomo black and white reversal film to be excellent. Fomo also do a reversal kit. In the UK this ia available from www.retrophotographic.co.uk.
The biggest problem is keeping the film clean. ensuring water used is purifried water for washing helps.
Thanks Andy...I'll keep an eye out for a processing tank on eBay. The Retro link is great...those guys have film for EVERYTHING!