R3 Monobath Developer

The New55 project, the purveyors of fine 4x5 instant film, have a convenient product for use with all B&W negative films. A one step solution to film processing, the R3 Monobath Developer. This developer simply needs to be warmed to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, then the film is placed in the developer for 6 minutes. No tank required, though the first 2 minutes of processing must be carried out in complete darkness.

A 32 ounce bottle of the potion costs US$20 for those in the Continental US. At this time, the developer is not available outside this region. At 8 ounces a roll, this one stop solution costs only $5 per use and requires no special preparation other than warming in a warm water bath. Push and pull effects can be achieved with the developer. Increase the working temperature to 90 degrees for 1.5 stops push.

A quick review of the MSDS sheet for R3 Monobath shows that it is a solution of Kodak HC-110 developer combined with Rapid Fixer. HC-110 is reknowned for its long shelf life, so New55's claim of "Keeps for a long time" is probably true. Helpful if you only process a roll or two now and then. Convenience does sell, and it certainly sounds more convenient than mixing up the chemistry from powders!

If you have never done your own darkroom work, but would like to try processing film with this developer, simply fill a dish pan with warm water at about 85 degrees (measure with an inexpensive thermometer, guessing is difficult to get right). Wear nitrile or latex gloves when handling the developer. Place the developing olution into a smaller container (preferably a film developing tank, but not necessary), then measure the temperature until the solution is up to 80 degrees. Use enough water so that when the film tank is set in the pan, it is 3/4s submerged. The water should not be near the top of the film tank, as it may contaminate the developer solution. Add more warm water if the water in the pan gets cool, but keep the level below the top of the film tank. When ready, lights out, pull the film off the spool and carefully dunk into the film tank. A film spool helps to keep the film from touching itself, where the developer will not get a chance to work. Use an audio timer on your phone for timing, but do not use the phone for the first 2 minutes; the light from the screen will fog the film.

One Hour Labs Fading Fast

This Bloomberg article documents the drastic loss of One Hour labs across the USA. From a height of over 3,900 labs to now only 190 such labs. The article is worth reading, as it includes graphs of the decline of One Hour labs and the pattern of camera sales over the last 60+ years. The One Hour lab sprang into existence once the minilab machines became popular. Instead of dropping off film and having it sent to a central lab for processing, customers could drop off film directly at a lab that turns around the job while they wait. In shopping malls or larger stores, customers could do their shopping then pick up the developed film when they leave.

With the decline of consumer use of film, the One Hour lab no longer has the influx of film to support the business. Pro labs were hit earlier in the cycle as pros moved away from film. Those that are still around, might be able to survive on the fine art photography or other businesses that pro labs may specialize in. Some of the pro labs may specialize in high end scanning, a service that consumer labs are unwilling to provide - consumers only ever got a scan suitable for a 4x6 print. Some minilabs could do higher resolution scans, but the function took so long most operators would not bother. Today, there may still be shops such as pharmacies that will send away film to a central lab. Turn around times may be a week or two, though.

Alternatives to colour print film, such as B&W or E6 slides, can be processed just as easily at pro labs as print film, giving a wider choice of materials. B&W is simple enough to process at home, negating a need for an outside lab in the first place. Shops likeB&H Photo, The Photo Formulary and others carry materials to process B&W film. There are even kits for E6 slide film and C41 colour print film to process colour film at home.

While it is sad to see a convenient and quick service for processing film go out of business, the film enthusiast of today still has plenty of choice in pro labs or do-it-yourself processing to make a go of it. There may even be a shop nearby that will do the job if one is willing to wait a week or two.