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.

Tim Rudman, Spring Lith News

Tim Rudman, a well-known promoter and practitioner of lith printing techniques, has a number of projects in the pipeline for this summer. First, is his self-printed photo book of Iceland, done in conjunction with American photographic artist, Bill Schwab. Tim setup his own printing company to meet his exacting standards and requirements, Opas Books. The book is 'Iceland, an Uneasy Calm' and will be printed in hardcover and bound by cloth in Verona, Italy. The plan is for an initial run of 1,000 books with a limited run of deluxe copies housed in a silk or cloth clamshell case. The book will contain at least a 100 plates.

Tim also mentions that Foma has shipped to him several samples of updated printing material with updated technical notes for lith printers. He will be reporting on his results with these papers later in the summer.

Wolfgang Moersch, a powerhouse of darkroom chemistry, has also sent Tim a sample of a new product 'Lith G' for the enhancement and control of image colour. Tests of this product are also forthcoming.

Film Ferrania Delayed by Harsh Winter

The Film Ferrania project recently released a blognote with a new schedule to take into account a litany of setbacks that are slowing progress to the first batch of film. The project hopes to start film production around this month, with rewards delivered starting the end of May. See the revised schedule here.

Review of the Sigma 24mm f/1.4 Art lens

Roger Cicala of LensRentals compared and contrasted the new Sigma 24mm Art series lens with Nikon and Canon 24mm lenses along with a comparison to the Rokinon 24mm. While the Sigma may be as good as, if not marginally better than the Nikon or Canon lenses on the optical test bench, Roger concludes that "the old rule that the best 24mm f/1.4 is a 35mm f/1.4 and a few steps backwards is often true." The article has detailed MTF charts for all the lenses mentioned and pinhole test images of the Sigma.

The conclusion from all the testing is that the Sigma, Nikon and Canon lenses are all pretty sharp at the center, but focus and constrast fall off quickly towards the edges. The exception was the Rokinon, which had a fairly flat response to the edges, but was not as sharp and contrasty at the center. Roger says that in the "outer 1/4 of the image it [the Rokinon] is as good as the Sigma, or perhaps a bit better." Depending on price and what you want, the Sigma is a strong cnotender against the Nikon and Canon lenses, and the Rokinon may be more consistent overall and just as good off-center as the others.

If you are looking for newer designed lenses for your kit, Roger declares the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 lens to be the best 35mm wide. Being full-frame lenses, these lenses should work with compatible film cameras. To keep costs down, keep in mind eBay and the B&H Used Department.

The Passing of Rollei

While the world of film suppliers has been booming, with Film Ferrania, Bergger and more introducing new films for our photographing pleasure, the camera supply side has not been so good. The maker of the iconic Rollei twin-lens reflex camera has filed for bankruptcy. The receiver is auctioning off the factory and everything it contains. Photographs of the factory contents are available on the auctioneer's site.

Having seen a local pro lab being auctioned off years ago, it is a sad thing to see. Pros used up film and equipment in the pursuit of their vocation and a large industry built up around this. The decline of film use by pros means this industry must shrink. One can only hope it stabilises for those who produce art, life long images and memories with film cameras.

Link from Petapixel.

Bergger Film for Large Format

Bergger film is releasing a new large format film, Bergger Pancro 400. Available in 4x5, 5x7 and 8x10 sheets, they are introducing this film on the Bergger Facebook page. Founded in 1995, the company offers papers, chemistry and uncoated cotton rag paper for alternative processes. A selection of paper developers are available, including a lith developer. Also available are toners and a hypo test solution. Well worthwhile to visit for those in Asia, Europe and Mexico, there are dealers in those areas. While this blogger has never used their products, having a supplier with such depth for silver and alternate processes is fantastic.