T
8

Finally got my developing times right after 3 ruined rolls of HP5

I kept getting super thin negatives until I realized my tap water was way colder than the 20C I assumed it was, so I picked up a cheap aquarium thermometer for $8 and now my shots actually have contrast - anyone else run into temp surprises with their water source?
2 comments

Log in to join the discussion

Log In
2 Comments
bell.taylor
...and THEN I realized my tap water here in the apartment is like 14C in the winter. I was trying to develop at night after work and the whole basement was freezing. The thermometer was a game changer but I also started heating up a bowl of water with my electric kettle and just setting the bottle in there to warm up before mixing. My first few rolls of HP5 looked like ghosts until I figured that out. Super frustrating but now I'm getting those deep blacks I was after.
7
paul_webb45
Honestly, I used to think temp control was overkill, but hearing about those ghost-like HP5 negatives totally changed my mind. That kettle trick is smart though, might have to steal that for winter batches.
3