Coffeenol

[Kaden Kratzer]

Has anyone here ever used it?

http://tabulargrain.wordpress.com/2008/12/29/you-developed-those-negatives-in-what/

Kaden
http://kadenkratzer.blogspot.com/?zx=44a6adb4e7f2f3b7
http://www.pbase.com/dehl

[Andrew O'Neill]

Yes, I have used caffenol. I've used it for developing negatives and also for prints. I preferred it with prints. For developing film, be sure to filter it beforehand...use Arm and Hammer Washing Soda for the washing crystals...
I remember when I was developing fibre-based prints in it, and when it went in the fix, there would be a lovely odour, kind of like tuna sandwiches.

[Toyon]

Any other sources for "washing crystals"? I've never seen the Arm and Hammer product.

[jnantz]

caffenolC is my developer of choice.
i also add a little bit of undilute print developer
to boost the contrast a tiny bit.
i have never used it as print developer
but i have seen great results using it.
stand works great, as does shuffling in trays or rotary ...


as for 'washing crystals' / "washing soda" / "soda ash" ...
when i was gathering the materials to process film
last summer in france, i went to a pharmacy to get
the sodium carbonate. it wasn't cheap.

have fun

john

[Clarence Rhymer]

Hello Toyon,

Photographer's Formulary has Sodium Carbonate, although I am surprised that washing soda is not available just about anywhere in the US or Canada. Also the Chemistry Store, Artcraft Chemicals, a Swimming Pool Supply store or you could heat some Sodium Bicarbonate.

Andrew, I would not call the smell lovely, more like an overcooked or burnt-on roasting pan, without the charm. However, I have used it with good results.

Cheers,
Clarence

[jnantz]

clarence -

what is sodium carbonate called at a pool store ?
i went to 4 or 5 of them in france, to look for fixer as well as
soda, but couldn't find either of them, i eventually settled on a pharmacy
and ilford fixer found at a photo-store ...

john

[Clarence Rhymer]

Hello John,

Here is a (for example) link.

http://www.lesliespool.com/browse/Home/Pool-Chemicals/Pool-Adjusters/Soda-Ash-50-lbs/D/30100/P/1:100:1000:100030/I/14738

Where I live, swimming pools are pretty rare. There is a Town Pool in Fort Smith, NT, and a few hot tubs for those you like to watch the aurora at -40 (I'm not making this up), so I haven't been near a pool supply store in 20 years. You would have to check the ingredients, since the products usually have a non-chemical name. Also, sodium bicarbonate is used in pools as well, so one should check the label. I have found that the Arm and Hammer product works fine for Caffenol, and I suspect most bulk soda ash is pure enough, but have no evidence to back that up.

I did a quick search of French sites, and I couldn't find a product that was not bicarbonate or a mixture. Perhaps this would work, but one would have to check - it is a bit vague as to the other ingredients. The liquid form is NaOH.

http://www.piscine-clic.com/produit-piscine-correction-ph-aquaplus.html

On reflection, perhaps pool supply stores are more trouble than they are worth, if you have to drive around a lot to find the right product.

Cheers,
Clarence

[Kaden Kratzer]

Thanks for the responses folks. Is it possible to give a better idea of development times for 4x5 and 120mm?

Thanks again.

[jnantz]

thanks clarence!

yeah, i did a lot of calling and driving when i was there
i figured a drug store worked fine for both the soda and vit c ..

at home i just use arm and hammer ...
i just didn't want to deal with shipping it over or
chemicals in my luggage .. ;)

john



Hello John,

Here is a (for example) link.

http://www.lesliespool.com/browse/Home/Pool-Chemicals/Pool-Adjusters/Soda-Ash-50-lbs/D/30100/P/1:100:1000:100030/I/14738

Where I live, swimming pools are pretty rare. There is a Town Pool in Fort Smith, NT, and a few hot tubs for those you like to watch the aurora at -40 (I'm not making this up), so I haven't been near a pool supply store in 20 years. You would have to check the ingredients, since the products usually have a non-chemical name. Also, sodium bicarbonate is used in pools as well, so one should check the label. I have found that the Arm and Hammer product works fine for Caffenol, and I suspect most bulk soda ash is pure enough, but have no evidence to back that up.

I did a quick search of French sites, and I couldn't find a product that was not bicarbonate or a mixture. Perhaps this would work, but one would have to check - it is a bit vague as to the other ingredients. The liquid form is NaOH.

http://www.piscine-clic.com/produit-piscine-correction-ph-aquaplus.html

On reflection, perhaps pool supply stores are more trouble than they are worth, if you have to drive around a lot to find the right product.

Cheers,
Clarence

[Brian Bullen]

Here is a start, http://www.digitaltruth.com/devchart.php?Film=&Developer=Caffenol&mdc=Search but testing is always a good idea. :)

[Tim k]

when it went in the fix, there would be a lovely odour, kind of like tuna sandwiches.

As long as the tuna sandwiches have been under the darkroom sink for a few weeks first.:)

[Kaden Kratzer]

Brian Bullen thanks for the link. This gives me a better idea. :)

[glarsson]

Arm & Hammer washing soda was hard to find in my area. I called the Arm & Hammer customer service line (800-952-5080) and they quickly found a couple of nearby stores that carry it.