Negative film processing question (35mm, cameras, pictures, photos)

[txwolfman]

I was just asked about disposable cameras. I told my friend that most used 110 film, but some were 35mm.

Then he asked me if you can take the negative film out and use a photo scanner to make digital pictures.
He was thinking that you have to developed the negatives before scanning.? This really stumped me, as I have scanned 35mm negatives, but, used and already processed, never a new roll from a camera.
I was then thinking that you don't have to process the film, unless you are making a paper photo from the negative, but then I am not 100% sure on this.

So, my question is. If I have a roll of 35mm negative film, fresh out of the camera, can I make digital photos (jpegs) straight away on a scanner (ie epson v600), or is there a processing procedure first?

Lost in negative film land
Gary

[bfrabel]

The film would need to be processed first, in a dark room or an automated machine that blocks out all of the light. If you expose the non-processed film to any light (for any length of time longer than what the shutter would expose it to), it will be ruined.

[txwolfman]

Well, in the past few months handling my negatives for digitizing, I have been oblivious to the fact that
they have already been chemically processed, and I am just making copies from them.

My researching on this, I have found home kits that one can mix chemicals and process color film at home.
I believe the C-41 kit is one of them, and have found a couple of good tutorials on youtube on HOW TO.

I bet my friend is glad that I didn't tear into his negatives to throw on the scanner.

[johninvegas]

It sounds like you need a book on developing film. C-41 is the right developer for color negative film, but you need all the equipment: a changing bag to get the film loaded onto a reel, the reel itself along with the developing tank that the reel fits into, an accurate thermometer, a dust free place to hang the developed film to dry and a timer (the timer on your phone will do). And, of course, a guide to the times and temperatures to develop the film.

Also, you would need to practice loading the film onto the reel as it's kind of tricky. When I started to develop film, I sacrificed a roll of b/w film and began by loading it onto the reel in the daylight, once I could do it while watching, I then closed my eyes and tried. Then I tried it in the changing bag. Best to start with a roll with nothing on it as you will screw it up at first.

All together, unless you have a lot of film to develop, it's probably best to take it to a commercial lab rather than to spend all the money to do it yourself.