I've had to give up my darkroom access for a couple of years, so I'm considering reverse-processing as a way to continue shooting in B&W. I'm looking for basic advice on how to go about testing, choosing developers, etc.

Last night a ran a test roll of Tech Pan through my camera and developed it according to advice someone gave elsewhere on these forums (HC110 1:20 + 2g sodium something-or-other for 10 minutes at 21 deg C). The chromes came out wonderfully, with absolutely no grain even under high magnification, but the contrast was a little high (ISO looks to be about 10, BTW) -- I hope I can correct this by reducing development time in the first developer.

I checked out the DR5 site and noticed that they recommended TXP as their preferred film for its latitude (and "ten stop range" in their process) -- I'll likely try that next, along with Tmax 100 and Pan F.

So how should I choose a developer and a proper development time for these films? If I get good luck with a film/developer combination for normal negatives, should I try the same combination and development time for the first developer when reverse processing? I guess I'm looking for a good place to start. Thanks for any advice.

-- Derek Zeanah (derek@zeanah.com), March 15, 2001

Answers

I used to do ALOT of this using TMX and the Kodak Reversal Kit. It is a bit labor intensive but the chromes are beauts! Cheers

-- Scott Walton (f64sw@hotmail.com), April 04, 2001.

You can also use sepia toner (Kodak) to reverse the image. Use tech pan film with your favorite developer. Instead of fininx the negatives after developement, pour the sepia toner in instead. Tone for 10 minutes, wash, fix for 5 min. The resulting roll of film will appear quite dark. Now take some e-6 bleach and agitate the film in the bleach. I use a stainless " T " bar that fits through the film reel. The reel is then agitated in an up and down manner until the image is the correct density. Then wash for 10 or 15 min.

-- peter mcdonough (31416@mediaone.net), April 12, 2001.