Hey there! My local darkroom just shut down and I got everything I needed to start my own darkroom for $100, We have everything set up and now all we need is the chemicals. What kind of chemicals do you guys find work best for Black & White 120 and 35mm film? I am going to assuming that the kind of film I am using is a fairly important factor in what kind of chemicals you use, I primarily shoot Tmax 100 and Ilford Delta 100 for 35mm and I have about 20 rolls of 100 asa LOMO 120 film that a friend gave to me, so that is what I am currently shooting with for 120. I do already have some chemicals, I talked the guy at the darkroom to throw in some Kodak Dektol for paper development, some Kodak D-76 for the film development, Kodak stop bath and Ilford Rapid fixer, but the amount he gave me is not going to last me long at all, so I would like to know what to go out and buy now so that I can have it ready to use, Thanks!

For B&W my primary developer is Rodinal. The shit is great and lasts forever. If you're shooting Tmax, you might want to try Tmax developer (just make sure you get the one for roll film and not sheet film). I don't use a stop bath (just water for 1min) and use Ilford Rapid Fixer.

Posted by yokes I don't use a stop bath (just water for 1min)

Does that work fairly well? I have heard of other people doing this, I am just worried about it messing up my film, but not having to spend money on stop bath would be good.

I've never had a problem. 1 minute running water seems to be just fine.

I've always used stop in my darkroom, but I know the black and white darkrooms at school just use water (and I would hope that being a well known art university they would know what they're doing).

For film I've used D-76 for developer, cheap and comes in powder that you make up and you can either dilute it further or use the stock solution, depending on your preference.

I have primarily Kodak chemicals for film processing, and Ilford for paper in my personal darkroom.

Just try things out, and there is always an abundance of information in books and online.

Enjoy!

Rodinal is my first preference - love the grain & sharpness! Usually 1+50, minimal agitation.

I also like Xtol 1+1 for pushed film, but it's a pain to store & mix etc (mainly because I'm lazy, not for any legitimate reason)

I've had great results with Rodinal and Ilford ID-11 (Basically a D-76 type developer). Water for teh Stop Bath.

Kodak x-tol as film dev. Great résults so far