How To Develop Slide Film

The art of photography is reaching its popularity nowadays because of the different cameras that are being sold on the market. As the interest of people in photography reaches its peak, digital photos are still competing with develop slide film. One of the many kinds of slide films is called a Kodachrome film that was manufactured by Eastman Kodak back in 1935. A slide film also known as a reversal film and is a color film that is different from a negative film. Negatives film produces orange colored negatives and prints when processed; slide films produce slides or negative-like pieces that usually have bright colors.

Below are steps on how to develop slide films:

1. Materials. Since slide developing requires a lot of chemicals and tools, it is strongly recommended that one should have a film developing kit. These kits are already complete with all the materials needed for slide developing. It can be bought in photo stores or from the Internet.
2. Controlling temperature. Just like in developing normal exposure film, temperature must be strictly controlled since it can affect the quality of the photos. Usually all chemicals should be exactly 100.4 F, but since we should also consider the venue which is at home, chemicals especially the color developer must be only 2 degrees higher or lower than 100.4 F while the rest of the solution can have a temperature between 95-104 F.
3. Procedure. After preparing all the materials needed, make sure to review the instructions given in the developing kits. Check if all the measurements of the chemicals are correct. Set the timer properly according to what is stated in the manual. After checking if all the materials are ready, you may begin with the slide developing process.

Here is the process for developing:

1. Check the temperature of the first developer and use hot or cold water to bring the temperature as close to 100.4 F as possible. Pour the first developer into the tank then start timing. Remove air bubbles and make sure to invert the tank and turn it back upright after two seconds to agitate it. This should be done every 5 seconds for 30 seconds.
2. When there is only 10 seconds left on the timer, pour the first developer back to its bottle using a funnel.
3. Fill the tank with water, agitate then dump it not less than 3 times. Afterwards, drain the tank and pour the reversal bath. Do this for 2 minutes while agitating for a few seconds. Redo the step. Repeat the procedure involving the first developer until the second step.
4. Set the timer for 2 minutes, pour the pre-bleach, and agitate. Then pour the solution back to the container during the last 10 seconds of the timer.
5. Set the timer to 6 minutes and carefully pour the bleach. During the last 10 seconds, completely drain it.
6. Pour in the fixer and follow the same procedure in agitating. Do this for 4 minutes before returning the fixer back to its container.
7. Wash the tank using tap water and remove the cover. Also, wash the film for 6 minutes using the normal technique. Afterwards, do the final rinse making use of a soapy mixture. Carefully agitate to avoid building too many bubbles.
8. After 1 minute, return the final rinse to its bottle. Hang the wet film properly in a dust free area and let it dry for two hours. 

Make sure to follow these steps in developing a slide film to assure quality results.