Is it cheaper to develop my own film at home?

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 happens if my developer is expired?

Using expired film developers can result in underdevelopment, over or underexposure, drastic color shifts for color film, uneven contrasts, increased grain, or an overall reduced image quality. At worst, it can also result in blank rolls.
Is it okay to use expired developer?

It usually depends on storage conditions and how long ago the developer expired.
How long can I keep film developer before it goes bad?

Developers can come in liquid and powder form, with liquid developers typically having a shorter shelf life than powder-form developers. Some liquid developers last about 3 to 6 months, while others can last up to a year or more if stored properly. Powder-form developers, on the other hand, can last up to 5 years.
How many rolls of film in a row can I self-develop?

The answer is, as many as you want! Developing multiple films in a row is a good way to get comfortable self-developing film, especially with equipment such as the Lomo Daylight Development Tank. It all really depends on the quantity of chemicals you have and the dilution ratio for each film stock you’d like to develop.
How to retrieve the film leader from the canister?

Retrieving the film leader from the canister can be a tricky endeavor, but a few tricks can help you master this important part of self-developing film!
How to store film developing chemicals and equipment?

Film development chemicals should be kept out of direct sunlight to avoid deterioration. As usual, these chemicals should be kept tightly sealed at room temperature, or in a dark, dry place.
How to clean film developing equipment after use?

Cleaning and taking care of your film developing equipment is easy, and important in order to ensure safety and the product’s longevity.
What chemicals are needed for self-developing film?

Developer, stop bath and fixer are the three key chemicals for self-developing film. Meanwhile, other chemicals such as wetting agent are also optional to ensure a cleaner turnout.
How do agitating times affect the results when self-developing film?

Agitating times in film development affect the amount of contrast, highlights and grain of the visible images in a negative.