Tonghang Zhou wrote:
hi, i'm looking to start doing some B&W processing myself
and would be interested in getting a kit for this purpose.
What I'm looking for, according to a B&W photo book I
recently read, are the following:

. Tank (wide mouth) and reels (plastic or Hewe brand stainless steel.)

You need a tank to fit your reels. Decide on what sort you like.

. thermometer.
. film squeegee(?)

You likely don't want this.

. water hose for film tank.

Something you can live without

. thingies to hang film to dry.

Clothes pins.

. black bottles to hold chemicals.

Liquor bottles. Empty. Cost a fraction of anything labeled photographic.
Stick them in a dark closet when not in use.


. beaker for measuring chemicals.
. film changing bag.

You might be happier with a dark place to load the film tank. Closet.
Windowless bathroom. Whatever doesn't take much.


. plenty expired film to practice reeling with.
. safelight.

I don't see an enlarger. Safelight isn't much use with normal film.

. wetting agent (photo flo?)
. film hardener (a liquid chemical additive for fixer.)

Likely won't need this and your fixer might even include it.

. fixer remover (a liquid chemical.)
. whatever that is to test fixer life (a liquid chemical.)

Just keep track of the number of rolls then dump it.

In addition, I'd also be interested in:

. contact printing frame.

I guess this is why you want the safelight? Unless you get one with a
built in light source you'll need a light source. For the cost of a new
commerically built contract printer you might get a used enlarger.
Considering going that way. You also need things like trays,paper and paper
developer.

. bulk film loader for 35mm.
. unused film cassettes (must be unused.)

Well they'll only be unused the first time.


Now that you see I'm a total novice, feel free to suggest other
things.


Don't buy everything on that list. Buy what you REALLY need and if you
feel something is lacking then get it later.

I may have missed it but you don't seem to have basic things like film
developer.

You might want to ask over in rec.photo.darkroom. Your question is
more of what to get then a WTB.

Nick