Yes, if you shoot a lot of film it can often be cheaper to develop it yourself at home. However if you only shoot one or two rolls per month, it’s probably not. So the answer is not straightforward.
The factors you should consider are: how many films will you develop over time? Are you equipped with all the materials? Do you want to develop black and white only, or color film as well?
Each of these factors will play a role in the amount of money involved in the process. Do you want to take care of each step of the process from start to finish, scanning included? This will add to your list of tools and knowledge you must have to get good consistent results.
If you’re starting from scratch, the first purchase will be expensive because you have to buy all the equipment needed. Then there is the constant need for supplying chemicals, that can be relatively expensive, depending on where you buy them from.
Certainly the more you practice, the better you will become, and self-development will over time write off the initial investment. This will also grant you greater creative control over your images. However, consider that you will lose some photos while you are learning the tricks of the craft, due to the inevitable challenges and risks that self development carries.
But we don‘t want to scare you off. The process of self development is highly rewarding and extremely magical for a film photographer. We recommend you carefully consider all the factors involved, financially and technically, before diving into self developing.
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What is the easiest way to develop color film at home?
It is sometimes said that color film is more difficult to develop at home than black and white film. However, with a bit of practice developing color film is a simple enough process. Here’s how it’s done.
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Can I still develop expired film?
Yes, in most cases expired film can still be developed normally. Though there may be some visible degradation noticeable in the final images, depending on how many years the film has expired by, as well as the conditions it has been stored in.
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How to safely dispose of film developing chemicals
The best way to dispose of your chemicals is to discharge them at your city’s waste collection point.
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Why is black and white film easier to develop at home than color film?
The steps involved in developing color film are more complicated than with black and white, and temperature control is also a key part of the process.
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How to develop black and white film at home
Load your film in the dark, prepare your solution at 20℃, pour developer for the desired amount of time, wash, pour the fixer for the desired amount of time, wash with hypo solution, and hang to dry.
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Can you develop film without a darkroom?
Yes, however the spooling of your film must be performed in the dark.
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What equipment do I need to develop film at home?
You will need: A changing bag, developing tank, reels, developing solution, fixer, hypo cleaning agent, access to water, clips, timer, thermometer, and measuring cups.
