Black and white is fairly simple and straightforward but still requires a totally dark room (or bag) and a bunch of sort of expensive chemicals that go bad (and some of which are fairly toxic for the environment).
Color is similar but more complicated with more expensive chemicals and more room for mistakes. You're almost always better off paying someone else to develop (in money and quality) though it's not nearly as satisfying.
Of course after you develop you need more stuff to make prints or a film scanner to get something useful from your negatives. More investment here - labs usually do this for you for a very small fee if you get it developed there.
I can't recommend developing your own color film, but black and white is fun to play with if you want to get a better understanding of the process. If you're just doing a few rolls occasionally though then development is probably the best option.
> I can't recommend developing your own color film, but black and white is fun to play with if you want to get a better understanding of the process. If you're just doing a few rolls occasionally though then development is probably the best option.
Yea B&W only, from my research that was what I gathered too. I wasn't aware the chemicals expired though, I assumed you bought some and just processed whenever and you were good to go
If kept consistently refrigerated in low light chemicals can last a long time (years). However because you only get one shot at developing a roll it's more comforting to follow the manufacturer's recommendation. I stopped shooting B&W for a long time and then used some chemicals that were in the fridge more than 5 years and the results were fine– any effect it may have had on the sharpness or contrast weren't noticeable. Photography stores may even sell you expired film and chemicals at a discount because they are riskier but often usable.
Color is similar but more complicated with more expensive chemicals and more room for mistakes. You're almost always better off paying someone else to develop (in money and quality) though it's not nearly as satisfying.
Of course after you develop you need more stuff to make prints or a film scanner to get something useful from your negatives. More investment here - labs usually do this for you for a very small fee if you get it developed there.
I can't recommend developing your own color film, but black and white is fun to play with if you want to get a better understanding of the process. If you're just doing a few rolls occasionally though then development is probably the best option.