Who knew.......
Jun 12, 2022 17:08:49 #
....that you can develop black and white film in instant coffee. A friend of mine, who is also a film freak, heard me talking about "Caffenol" a few months ago. About two weeks ago, he found a commercial version of this developer online and bought me some. I quickly shot a few rolls of film and tried it out. To my surprise, it worked! The photos I have included are from that batch of photos developed in the commercial version of the developer.
Feeling confident that you can actually develop black and white film with household products, I found a recipe. It involves:
Instant coffee
Washing soda (to neutralize the acids in the coffee)
Vitamin C powder
distilled water
Much to my chagrin, I was not able to replicate any usable results with my recipe. I tried three times and never was able to get usabable negatives. I did get images; but they were hopelessly faint. Research indicated that there are different kinds of Washing Soda, and that the more crystalline the soda is, the more you have to use in your recipe. I have not given up entirely on the idea; but my recipe definitely needs to be amended in some way. If anyone has ever used home made Caffenol, I'd be very interested in your results and your methods. I kind of dove head first down the Caffenol rabbit hole; but I don't want to waste too much more film if I can avoid it. Anyway here are the results from the "store bought" stuff. I don't think any of these photos are going to win any prizes; but you can see that the store bought stuff does, in fact, develop film.
Erich
Feeling confident that you can actually develop black and white film with household products, I found a recipe. It involves:
Instant coffee
Washing soda (to neutralize the acids in the coffee)
Vitamin C powder
distilled water
Much to my chagrin, I was not able to replicate any usable results with my recipe. I tried three times and never was able to get usabable negatives. I did get images; but they were hopelessly faint. Research indicated that there are different kinds of Washing Soda, and that the more crystalline the soda is, the more you have to use in your recipe. I have not given up entirely on the idea; but my recipe definitely needs to be amended in some way. If anyone has ever used home made Caffenol, I'd be very interested in your results and your methods. I kind of dove head first down the Caffenol rabbit hole; but I don't want to waste too much more film if I can avoid it. Anyway here are the results from the "store bought" stuff. I don't think any of these photos are going to win any prizes; but you can see that the store bought stuff does, in fact, develop film.
Erich
Jun 12, 2022 17:43:05 #
Sorry I don't know how to copy links into a reply, but do a search using "Caffenol". I did this and found several links to previous messages mostly from 2014 and 2015.
Jun 12, 2022 18:13:37 #
wjones8637 wrote:
Sorry I don't know how to copy links into a reply, but do a search using "Caffenol". I did this and found several links to previous messages mostly from 2014 and 2015.
Thanks. I have found several sights that have good information (I think). There is a sight called Caffenol.org that has recipes. I think the issue I'm having is with the soda. Not sure how to adjust that, or if I need a different brand. I'm using Arm and Hammer. Thanks for the information.
Erich
Jun 12, 2022 19:13:23 #
ebrunner wrote:
Thanks. I have found several sights that have good information (I think). There is a sight called Caffenol.org that has recipes. I think the issue I'm having is with the soda. Not sure how to adjust that, or if I need a different brand. I'm using Arm and Hammer. Thanks for the information.
Erich
Erich
Great examples of B&W photos, beautiful blacks, your whites aren't blown out, mid tones 👍, IMO.
I don't have any suggestions for developer being I don't shoot with film.
Jun 12, 2022 20:05:32 #
Jim-Pops wrote:
Great examples of B&W photos, beautiful blacks, your whites aren't blown out, mid tones 👍, IMO.
I don't have any suggestions for developer being I don't shoot with film.
I don't have any suggestions for developer being I don't shoot with film.
Straight off the scanner, the blacks were not quite as rich. I always look for a black point and a white point, right before clipping. Then, if I might add a bit of contrast or clarity. I do like the way the developer worked. Now all I have to do is come up with a home recipe that works as well. We all need projects. lol
Erich
Jun 13, 2022 08:24:07 #
Interesting. I had heard of Caffenol. but I never tried it, commercial or homemade.
Jun 13, 2022 14:42:44 #
wjones8637 wrote:
Sorry I don't know how to copy links into a reply, but do a search using "Caffenol". I did this and found several links to previous messages mostly from 2014 and 2015.
Yeah, I googled it and only got back 67,000 hits.
Jun 13, 2022 14:45:36 #
These turned out pretty well, Erich. You sure you didn't drink the Caffenol then develop the film with D-76? LOL
Ed
Ed
Jun 13, 2022 21:32:47 #
jaymatt wrote:
Interesting. I had heard of Caffenol. but I never tried it, commercial or homemade.
I'll probably try the homemade approach again; but I need to take a break and let my wounds heal. lol
Erich
Jun 13, 2022 21:33:24 #
edrobinsonjr wrote:
Yeah, I googled it and only got back 67,000 hits.
I hear ya!
Jun 13, 2022 21:34:31 #
edrobinsonjr wrote:
These turned out pretty well, Erich. You sure you didn't drink the Caffenol then develop the film with D-76? LOL
Ed
Ed
When you mix the coffee with the soda, the smell is pretty bad. I'd have to be pretty thirsty. lol
Erich
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