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FPP Super MonoBath BW Developer

One-Step BW Liquid Film Developer / One - 1 Liter Bottle

A monobath is a developing solution that contains developer, stop bath and fixer all in one solution - that’s right, it's all in this 1-Liter bottle! You do not mix it, you do not dilute it and you re-use it many times.

NOTE: The FPP Super Monobath is archival (just like any other developer) if you properly wash your negatives after development. See info below.

Super MonoBath works at 3.5 minutes @ 75 degrees or 5.5 minutes @ 68 degrees. Note: Don't be afraid of extending you process time. It will not increase development time but will extend the fix time. Kodak TMax will need longer process time.

The FPP Monobath will last you approx 15 rolls of film (35mm) per 1 liter. Not recommended for film with a higher ISO than 400.

Why do you not recommend films with a higher ISO than 400 in MonoBath?

Higher ISO films and some not so high films require longer times in the developer and standard times in the fixer. Monobath processes anything you put in it at one developer time before the stop, then fix steps take over. Personally I think this is just magical ;). There is no way to extend the developing time in a Monobath, if you leave film in Monobath longer you are only extending the final part if the equation, the fixer. High Speed films like delta 3200 or Tmax 3200 will not develop out to their fullest and be thin and under developed.



How long will my FPP Super Monobath last on my shelf?! If you don't develop frequently, make sure after use that your Monobath bottle has all the air squeezed out of it before sealing - should last 3 - 6 months. That time variance is determined by the number of rolls. Monobath will get dirty and sludge colored after a few uses- that color will not impact the monobath.

Please read all the additional information on this page to get the most out of your FPP Monobath experience.

Monobath can be a alchemic mystery. FPP’s new venture into monobath is no less a chemical marvel. To use this product, follow these quick and easy steps below. (You will need basic home processing gear like a tank, funnel & thermometer.)

above: Eastman Plus-X 5231 BW Motion Picture Film, FPP Super Mono Bath, 68 @ 6 minutes. Image by: Leslie Lazenby / Leica Minilux camera

How to use:

Pre-wash your BW film with water close to the same temperature as your monobath solution.

After you pour out your pre-wash, add monobath for the suggested time.

Pour back your FPP MonoBath.

Water rinse (20 -30 min – to shorten water wash see below).

Using the FPP Permanent Archival Wash is highly recommended as a last step to save an amazing amount of time and water. With FPP Permanent Wash, water rinse for a minute and then dip in our Permanent Wash for 1 minute. Done! (FPP Foto Flow optional to avoid streaking)

You're DONE - processed and archivally washed film negatives in less than 8 minutes!

above: Tom Wright (of MidWest Photo Exchange) - Photo: Mat Marrash

Nikon FM2 - Kodak TMax 400 - Home processed in the FPP Super MonoBath

Epson v700 scan

Additional notes:

Some monobath formulas claim to work with any film, all at the same time and temp, but we believe this is not the case. Through much testing we have a recommended list of films that work with our monobath formula. What’s even easier there are no time changes for using one of these films over the other. If you want to develop Kodak Double X and Rollie Infrared IR400 in the same tank, it’s no problem. We have found workable temperatures that are easy to accommodate your ambient temperature.

The FPP Super Monobath was introduced/released April 26, 2018. Above: Michael Raso and Justin Wingenfeld at FPP HQ in Fair Lawn, NJ.

The monobath technique is not new, every Polaroid instant image uses a monobath type of chemistry. Nor is it the perfect solution to all negative processing needs.

You will find greater control of contrast, grain and speed with other traditional developers and fixer combinations. Mastering the monobath technique is easy and satisfying, it’s great for beginners, travelers and those who like to experiment with different methods of developing B/W films. It is very economical as you are buying only one unit of chemistry, not three. There is no mixing or need for any additional containers for the mixed chemicals and it is great for small limited spaces as it is just one bottle, not three.

For those experienced in B/W film processing you will be amazed with how fast the FPP Super Monobath works. At 75 degrees you will have completed all three traditional processing steps in 3.5 minutes, that’s faster than any recommended development step, let alone developer, stop and fix!

Images on this page were processed using this Super Monobath.

Tips:

Remember that increasing your overall processing time doesn’t increase the density of your negatives. Increasing your temperature will give you a small boost in density.



If you are finding a slight brown cast to your negatives you can simply place the film back in the chemistry for another minute or so to further clear the negatives. Agitation is 3 to 5 inversions per every 30 seconds. TMax emulsions will need a bit longer time. Final wash is 30 minutes in water or shorten this time to 3 minutes with Archival Permanent Wash.



FPP Super MonoBath Tested Films

Adox CHS 50

Adox CHS 25

Adox CHS 100II

Arista Premium 400

Arista EDU Ultra 400

Arista EDU Ultra 200

Arista EDU Ultra 100

Dracula 35 bw film

Eastman Plus-X5231

Kodak 2366 Fine Grain Blue Sensitive

EFKE 25

EFKE 50

Fomapan 100

Fomapan 200

FPP BW 200

Fuji Neopan 100

Fuji Acros 100

Fuji Neopan 100ss

Ilford Pan 400

Ilford Pan 100

Iiford HP5+ 400

Iiford Pan F+ 25/50

Kentmere 100

Kodak Double-X 5222 200

Kodak Tri-X 400

Kodak Plus-X 125

Kodak T-Max 100

Kosmo Foto Mono 100

Lomography Earl Grey 100

Lomography Lady Grey 400

Lucky SHD 100

Maco UP100p/PO100c

Mac UP25p

Orwo UN54 iso 100

Promax 100

Rollie Infrared IR400

Rollei Ortho 25

Rollei Pan 25

Svema fn-64

Svema Foto 100

Washi A iso 12

Ultrafine 125

Ultrafine T-Grain 400

Text by Leslie Lazenby