some questions...

[mechordie]

hello im thinking of getting into super 8, im wondering if developing film is easy to learn, cause i dont want to spend money on shipping out my film to get developed, and there are no stores that do that in my local area. another question is...is developing super 8 film the same as regualr 35mm?

[Screener]

Developing super 8 film is just like developing 35mm film.

IF you've ever developed reversal stock instead of negative stock.

If you've ever developed a roll that is fifty feet long.

If you have experience maintaining constant chemistry temperature for color.

In other words, no... it's not just like developing 35mm film... IF you want a really clean image with the proper exposure.

Having said that, quite a few people DO develop their super 8 film in the sink, tossing the film around like spaghetti. However, the idea here is to create artifacts and "flaws" that will look neat when projected. SO if "experimental" or "Avante Garde" is your mindset... Go for it!

[BolexPlusx]

I agree absolutely. There are a lot of reasons to develop your own movie film, but saving money is the last of them.

I've always been tempted to try it myself, but the thought of having to crack open a cartridge and thread 50 feet of film onto a developer reel (In the dark no less...) is kind of daunting. The results can come close to what a good lab can do, but only after a lot of experience and messed up looking images (of course some people are after this, so it's fine for them.)

If you are going to do it, it is the most practical for the black and white films. I've seen the process to develop Kodachrome, and it made brain surgery sound easy.