I would highly recommend starting here:
The Caffenol Cookbook & Bible
The Caffenol Cookbook & Bible is a project by large format photographer Bo Sibbern-Larsen who got eight other photographers together to write a book about caffenol. It’s a free book, ava…www.caffenol.org
I've used the Caffenol-C-L mix several times with HP-5+ and have been pleased with the results. The negatives come out a little grainer vs standard film developers, but it's not objectionable to my eye. For the coffee, I've used Sumatra beans (sold by jantz here) and cheap instant coffee.
Best thing is to read over the cookbook linked above, pick a mix or two, and experiment. All the mixes are easy to mix and development couldn't be simpler.
Have fun!
I checked my grocery store, to buy the ingredients you need for the simplest caffenol you need at least $18 worth of products, provided they are going to work properly. You can get a bunch of different conventional developers, such as D76, XTOL, Clayton F76 Plus, Arista Premium, etc., which are guaranteed to work properly. I'm all for experimentation, but the cost argument doesn't really work in caffenol's favor, unless you already have these ingredients at home.
I'm not doing it to save money but rather just to have fun.
Those films you mention should all be good to go in some form of Caffenol CH (the 'high speed' version of Caf C). I do Tri-X quite frequently in CH with good results, the film is usually in the range of long expired to nearly in-date.
Of course, no worries. I was responding to another post. I am also in it for the fun of it, mostly. I have come across the low cost argument for Caffenol a lot, all over the Internet. I just don't buy it.
I'm not doing it to save money but rather just to have fun.
Here you have most recipes that I have tested. Most important is to have anhydrous soda not wet or backing soda. Caffenol CL is for me the best.
Most important is to have anhydrous soda not wet or backing soda. Caffenol CL is for me the best.
If you find that specific version of C-L, please post details -- appreciate it!I'd have to find my notes, but some time ago I used some version of C-L whereby I did a cold start at 59F for one hour for quite expired HP-5+ that was pretty fogged. Whatever the "magic" that occurred in the tank it seriously diminished the level of fog.
Nice video ! I find CL-CN sharper than Adotech IV...Caffenol CL-CN is an excellent developer for Adox CMS 20 II. Side by side tests with its recommended developer, Adotech IV, CL-CN gives it a run for the money.
Yes CL need precise weighting because of its weakness.I have a failure with CL and went to Delta-Std and have predictable results with it now but I need to go back to CL and get it figured out.
I also like Caffenol CL for its results, but there's times I just don't wanna wait for an hour! Also, can vouch for the 'iodized salt for KBr' swap mentioned above, though I used 5x instead of 10x as much salt as Kbr. Maybe I'll try 10x now!
You can also multiply by 1.2 to 2.7 the amount when it is wet soda. But for better price the anhydrous is less expensive. I don't think moisture can proliferate in sodaIn my experience, I've found it to be quite important to ensure anhydrous soda. I weigh out an amount that I'll use over time, heat it under low heat in the oven until the weight doesn't change, then store in a tightly sealed glass jar. I'm sure the soda picks up some moisture every time I open the jar, but I must use it all before it becomes an issue.
It is the CLCS (for cold start) version above.If you find that specific version of C-L, please post details -- appreciate it!
Nice video ! I find CL-CN sharper than Adotech IV...
Yes CL need precise weighting because of its weakness.
Here you can see the efficacy of Kbr vs iodize salt. Photo from caffenol.blogspot.com.
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You can also multiply by 1.2 to 2.7 the amount when it is wet soda. But for better price the anhydrous is less expensive. I don't think moisture can proliferate in sodaIt's more humidity.
It is the CLCS (for cold start) version above.
Of course, no worries. I was responding to another post. I am also in it for the fun of it, mostly. I have come across the low cost argument for Caffenol a lot, all over the Internet. I just don't buy it.
At the height of the pandemic, there was an additional reason to try Caffenol; many commercial developers were out of stock or not shipping. Thanks for posting the link to that Caffenol Bible! I will check it out; caffenol is on my to-try list.
Regards,
Erik
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