Hi Scott(?),
I'm 100% with Peter, keep it simpel. I sign every word he said. Since I have a dark bath...., ahhh, darkroom, I need no changing bag. Here`s what I use for 35 mm film:
- a small Jobo tank 1000, 30 years old, needs only 250 ml. Can be found cheap on .bay A newer model is the 1510.
- can opener to open the film canister if necessary
- scissors, Francois tip for kid-save ones is great
- a measuring cylinder 250 ml. Syringes 2, 5 and 10 ml, without needle of course
for a few cents in every pharmacy. Great for small amounts of Rodinal or HC110 developer concentrate.
- empty and cleaned yoghurt cups, the stable 1 liter plasic type, to mix and pour the prepared liquids into the tank
- empty and cleaned glass bottles with screw-cap (re-used wine bottles e.g.) of all sizes to store the liquids. Plasic is a mess here. Label properly! On the label sticker you can also note the number of processed films. I use adress sticker from my office.
- 2 simple funnels, 1 for the developer and 1 for the fixer.
- the cheapest bath thermometer I found, bought in a supermarket, I choosed an average indicating one from about 20 peaces they had, works.
- pegs to hang the film for drying. Simple laundry pegs can do the job, special and bigger film pegs are more conveniant. The bathroom should be the best place to dry the films if you don't have another dust free room. Keeping the negs as clean as possible is important. That's also why I highly recommend:
- negative sleeves. Very important imo to keep the negs clean. E.g.
https://www.macodirect.de/en/archival/archival/5074/maco-glassine-negative-sleeves-for-35mm-pocket-films-100-sheets?c=42 I prefer the pergamine type.
The spiral has to be 100% dry to spool in the film. If the film should be curly, bend the first 2 cm or so against the curl and it will slip into the spiral much easier. Practice in bright light with the cheapest film you can find, then with closed eyes and then in the changing bag or darkroom until everything is fine. Now you may go and waste some film.
Chemicals are another chapter. Ask 10 people and get 11 answers. At least. I suggest 1-shot developers like Rodinal or HC110 because they are dirt chaep per film, 100 % reliable and the concentrates have a very long shelf life. Some people never used anything else and are still happy. I like to experiment a lot and still love Rodinal, but that's another story. Use any fixer from Tetenal, Ilford, Kodak, Agfa or whatever, doesn't make adifference. I highly recommend to make a clearing test always. Also no stop bath, I do 2 intermediate rinses for 30 seconnds each with tap water and heavy agitation. and a drop of dish detergent for the very last rinse. I carefully wipe the film with folded paper tissue and get the cleanest dry negs within half an hour.
My best wishes for you. You will make it. No doubt.