Problem(help)

[Fry]

Hi

amateur photographer here, and i finished taking my first shots yesterday(black & white). I was planning on developing them at school tomorrow in the darkroom. But I think that cant develop it b.c the film can says and i quote" KODAK BLACK & WHITE process C-41 ONLY. DO NOT PROCESS IN B&W CHEMISTRY" So the problem is the only kind of chemicals at school are B&W chemicals. Are there places that have darkrooms or photolabs to use or rent or buy time? If anyone can suggest something that'll be great.:(

[tim]

Erm, this is a digital photography forum, but there are some people around who've used film in the dark ages. I don't know much about film, but what i've read suggests that color developing is quite complex, and is probably best left to a lab to do. Just ask them to print them in black and white.

[TomPierce]

the film can says and i quote" KODAK BLACK & WHITE process C-41 ONLY. DO NOT PROCESS IN B&W CHEMISTRY":(

C-41 process is Kodak Color print processing. The film you have can be processed by anyone from your local pharmacy to wal-mart to a custom lab (which is why that particular type of film was created)

You don't want to do C-41 yourself. This chemistry is expensive, can only be purchased in bulk quantities and time/temperature control is critical. If I remember correctly, the first developer is 8 minutes at 100 F plus or minus 1/4 degree F.

Just take it to your local Quik-e-foto lab and you'll be fine.

[lancea]

How refreshing to have a question about real photography :) Yeap. C-41 is not much fun due to the temperatures involved - but the actual process isn't difficult. It wouldn't be anywhere near worth buying a kit for just 1 film. The reason Kodak makes this kind of film is so you can use the local drug store.

[mkh]

This brings back memories of when I was in high school and had my own darkroom. While I love the digital darkroom there was something mystical about the old way of doing things/

Developer, stop bath, fixer those were magical words from my younger days. Don't want to have to do those things again but I'm glad that I have done it.

[soupdragon]

Hi all those that can remember film.

The film you have sounds like it is panchromatic which is why you have to process it in C41.
The chemicals are not expensive in small quantities (unless you have no money then it's real expensive).
There is a huge temperature range you can process over, so don't be put off by that.
It is not a difficult or long process either so no worries there.
And yes, some labs if you ask them, will process the negs without printing them.

And I view this site as a knowledge base for photographers not a blinkered path for technophreaks.

[mdr]

That brings back memories, getting high on the chemicals...

In earnest, get the film developed at your local photo lab or chemist. Ask for development only which should be fairly cheap, and then print on true B&W paper yourself.