Cinestill DF96 B&W Film Developer 1Ltr - Monobath

I was hesitant to purchase this since it seemed too good to be true. After much research looking into the pros and cons of using it, I really couldn't find any. Having mucked up a role of film from a trip to Venice in the past because I had messed up the order of the 3 step process, I knew how frustrating it was to waste rolls like that - especially after you had shot the entire thing. I bought this and it worked absolutely superbly
N.B - I developed some Fomapan 200 and it went a funny colour and once left in a bottle for a few days there was a sediment at the bottom but this didn't seem to effect the process at all. I would also recommend storing it in a brown glass/opaque bottle - whilst the processing wasn't developed, there was definitely a grey that built up on the outside of the bottle

I've recently started developing black and white with the individual chemicals which does come out a lot better, however fresh df96 does do a very good job and considering how simple it is and how fast it is, is absolutely brilliant for beginners. My biggest complaint with DF96 is how the latter rolls come out when the chemicals get exhausted but within the recommended limit.

Originally bought a pack of Cinestill to try it out and determine if it was any good. I wasn't expecting much...well, to be honest, I wasn't really sure what I was going to get from the monobath having never used one before.

I read the instructions, mixed the chemicals and heated the water...and was really pleasantly surprised at the results. Stored the mix in the garage, ensuring I filtered it before every development and repeated the exercise again and again and again.

Having used the pack for longer than the recommended period - I had to make a choice, go back to my usual development chemicals or buy another pack of Cinestill.

The question was how happy was I using it? Simple answer is that I've re-ordered and will be using this going forward.

Very happy to recommend!

I wish I used this product from the start since developing my film. It is super easy to use, the chemicals are easy to set up and the instructions are easy to follow. You just have to use two step method and rinse and you are done. All my photos came out no problem, I used the Lomography B+W Earl Grey film for this photo and it came out brilliantly, (just check what iso/film brand you have used to get the correct times for best results) I highly recommend this product and I already ordered another one.

First time getting into developing my own film after years of putting it off. Worrying I’d get the temperature wrong and having lots chemicals was a little daunting, this stuff is so simple to use though and pretty much foolproof with the room temperature chemical, and looking at negatives that I got done professionally and they look pretty much similar to the ones I developed with this. Can’t really comment on if it’s good for professionals, but it’s definitely great for anyone starting out with film photography to get you used to working with chemicals and getting use to the the whole process (attached a few photos, the double exposures were with Kentmere Pan 100 and the flower is APX 100.