[MediaMole]

It isn't very hard to develop 35mm film. Even color film needs nothing more than the right chemicals and a heater to control the temperatures. Automatic processors do exist, but they cost a couple thousand dollars.

The problem is that you have to mix your chemicals, heat them to the right temperature, load the film into a tank in the dark then develop the film, taking care to observe the 3:15 second developing time within 5 seconds, then bleach the film, fix the film, wash and stabilize the film. Then it must be dried.

Oh, the used chemistry can't be dumped. It first has to be processed to remove the residual silver from the silver halides in the film.

The happiest day of my professional life was when I got my first digital camera.

It is worth learning how to develop film, but it is a PITA.

[Johnny_Cipher]

Every time I look at my bread machine, I wonder why nobody has tried to build and market a film development device.

[Wright is right!]

"The problem is that you have to mix your chemicals, heat them to the right temperature, load the film into a tank in the dark then develop the film, taking care to observe the 3:15 second developing time within 5 seconds, then bleach the film, fix the film, wash and stabilize the film. Then it must be dried. Oh, the used chemistry can't be dumped. It first has to be processed to remove the residual silver from the silver halides in the film."

Which is why, back in the days when I shot for money, I always took the film to a local commercial processor who would do a film-only job for me for $2 a roll, 35 or 120. Then I made all my own prints. You'd have a hard time justifying the cost of a film lab when you can get all the strips done you like for 2 clams a pop.

If you do develop your own fillum, then you'd best have a whole bunch to run thru at one time, because gearing up IS the PITA.

Michael