coffee developer

[bobwysiwyg]

I know I'm resurrecting a pretty old thread, but...

I've been playing around with Caffenol and find it pretty interesting. Lots of formula info but I've found little info on why certain ingredients. I've developed a number of things in coffee and soda, but wondered just what role Vitamin-C plays in those formulas that contain it.

[David Aimone]

I tried to develop a couple of sheets in Caffenol C a couple weeks ago. Followed the instructions but nothing came out.

I'll probably try again when I have some spare time.

Have you looked at these sites:

http://www.caffenol.org/

http://caffenol.blogspot.com/

[bobwysiwyg]

David, I had not yet found the .org site. I will have a look. My first attempt turned out the same way. I had used the wrong washing aid. We had something here at home that I "thought" was the right ingredient, but it wasn't true washing soda. After acquiring the correct stuff, always got pretty good negatives provided I remember to increase the exposure 2 stops, but have yet to try anything with the vitamin-c and was just curious as to its purpose since I get pretty good negs without it.

[Jay DeFehr]

The ascorbic acid might help control general (non-image) stain, and since ascorbic acid is also a developer, it might produce some kind of additivity with the caffeic acid and speed development. For my money, many other developing agents make better developers, and many make them less expensively, and all of them smell better.

[Andrew O'Neill]

Ascorbic acid works hyperadditive to the caffeic acid, and can affect speed. I also believe it acts as an anti-oxident. When using caffenol developer, make sure coffee is indeed dissolved into solution as well as washing soda. Filter after mixing to get rid of crud. Fun stuff! It also makes a fairly decent paper developer.

[bobwysiwyg]

The ascorbic acid might help control general (non-image) stain, and since ascorbic acid is also a developer, it might produce some kind of additivity with the caffeic acid and speed development. For my money, many other developing agents make better developers, and many make them less expensively, and all of them smell better.

No question about the smell. I do little experimenting with developers, this is my only one so far, just kind of interesting, but I'm sure my fascination will wear off.

[Jay DeFehr]

Bob,

Developer formulation can be a terrible addiction, and an awful lot of fun! Enjoy!

[thart2009]

Red wine works too...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/thart20...7622421397972/

[bobwysiwyg]

Interesting! Seems even acorns. I guess my experimenting may have just begun.

[jnantz]

i started using coffee developers 5years ago this may
and now i have 65lbs of green robusta beans waiting for me to roast.
i have drunk it too and it isn't too bad ... nice and heavy bodied.

i am a bit slow in using it though, because i have processed about 25-30 sheets of film
and 25-30 sheets of 11x14 paper in the same developer and the developer is
still as good as the day i mixed it. .