Black and White Photography - An Introduction

Black and White Film Processing & Equipment Part 1

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It is not necessary to have a darkroom to process black and white film, but a basic minimum requirement of equipment is needed. The process of developing a black and white film will be discussed and the equipment with it.

The black and white photography developing tank is purchased as a kit, this will develop 110, 135, 120, 220 films and looks like this:

Patterson 4 Developing Tank

or for sheet film:

Combi-Plan 5x4 Sheet Developing Tank

Stage 1 Film Loading for 120 film

A black and white film when removed from the camera looks like this:

120 Roll film (Exposed)

In dark conditions (which can be either a darkroom or a changing bag) the black and white film must be would onto the film reel. When the adhesive seal is broken the paper is unwound a few turns to reveal the film.

Note: Black and white film is generally panchromatic and therefore must be handled in total darkness, no safelights are available.

120 Roll Film (leading edge of film exposed)

The leading edge must be threaded into the film reel. I use automatic threading reels for ease of use:

Film leader in reel

When the black and white film is fully loaded the film the film must be detached from the backing paper and the paper discarded:

Fully loaded film reel

The centre spindle needs to be inserted into the reel, this stops the reel slopping about in the tank, it also allows rotational agitation device (twizzler) to be used.

Film reel with spindle in place

Once the spindle has been fitted the reel can be put into the tank:

Inserting the reel into the tank

Then the top put on:

Once the top is on, it is now light tight and can be handled in daylight. Either a plastic liquid seal top can be used if the tip agitation method is used.

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