Processing 16mm + 8mm B+W
- Thread starter Asa
- Start date
cyclone
Well-known member
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.
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.
David G. Smith
Steak Knife Member
There is no doubt that it can be done, but I would not ***** too much about dirt and scratches after you are done.
profnoxin
Well-known member
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
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
Steak Knife Member
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!
Good luck!
Asa
Well-known member
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 ? I just found it on eBay and it looks workable.
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 ? I just found it on eBay and it looks workable.
David G. Smith
Steak Knife Member
Asa said:
Of course I know what LPs are, my Grand Dad was a big fan!!!
Just kidding. :laugh:
David G. Smith
Steak Knife Member
Asa said:
In the snow, without shoes!!! :thumbsup:
Asa said:
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.