Free darkroom timer for film and print developing. Time developer, stop bath, and fixer stages precisely. Correct timing is the difference between perfect and ruined prints.
Development time depends on film type, developer dilution, and temperature. At 68°F (20°C): Kodak Tri-X in D-76 stock = 9 minutes, in D-76 1:1 = 11 minutes. Ilford HP5+ in ID-11 stock = 9.5 minutes. Always consult the film/developer manufacturer data sheet. Development time is the most critical variable in film processing.
Indicator stop bath (turns purple when exhausted): 30–60 seconds. Plain water stop: 2 minutes with agitation. Stop bath immediately halts development by neutralising the alkaline developer — the timing is less critical than developer timing, but an adequate dwell ensures no continued development in the fixer.
Standard rapid fixer (Ilford Rapid Fixer, Kodak Rapid Fixer) at stock: 2–5 minutes for film, 1–2 minutes for paper. Non-rapid fixer: 5–10 minutes. The clearing test: place a fresh piece of unexposed film in fixer — when it goes completely clear, double that time is your minimum fixing duration.
Use a water bath: fill your sink or a larger container with water at 68°F and submerge the development tank, developer bottle, and other chemical bottles. Check temperature with a thermometer before starting. Temperature deviations: for every 2°F above 68°F, reduce development time by approximately 10%.
Standard: invert the tank four times in the first 10 seconds, then 4 inversions every 60 seconds. Minimal agitation: initial 30 seconds, then once every 30 seconds (slower development, lower contrast). Continuous agitation: faster development, higher contrast. Use the timer to mark each agitation interval precisely.