why not do a test and see if it works ? its just film and you never know, sometimes the internet is wrong because it might have a different technique
if you decide bleach isn't your thing try a developer that allows you to shorten the developing time and add a boost to contrast. PPF ( print plate film / Universal ) Developers do that. 2 of the ones I regularly use are Ansco 130 and D72 ( Dektol these days is ... brown so I wouldn't recommend that ). The Ansco130 has Glyicin in it and the D72 doesn't so depending on where you are it might be difficult to locate Glycin, otherwise they are similar. Both you dilute for the time you are going to develop so 1:5 for 5 mins 1:10 for 10 minutes. &c, glycin likes it warm so develop everything at 72F, D72 normal 68, agitate like you would normal development, unlike what the internet might tell you, there are no golf ball sized grain, it's sweet ... I typically do the 5 minute run if it's aged (all my film is expired ) or of unknown origin. I found a Red Can of GAF Universal propping up a window where I used to live, and it converted me, if you ever find THAT, you won't be sorry. I've never been able to find it since. Some suggest it's VIVADOL I've never used it so I don't know ... As Alan mentioned I am also a wicked fan of using Caffenol with either or those print developers mixed in. I usually mix the caffenol the tablespoon method and add about 15-20cc of stock undiluted print developer/L in there... doesn't matter the ISO brand, exposure color/E6/BW whatever, it usually looks great at about 10 minutes but that's me, your time for what you do will probably be different. the stain from the coffee and print developer eat through /mask the fog and create a sheen of it's own (some say caffenol is pyro's kissin' cousin) with a boost of contrast. they tend to print and scan like a dream ... if you hunt for the caffenol cookbook you will see recipes and examples of the film and prints I make with it ( and examples of film others have made using their own variety of caffneol ), I was one of the authors ( the one who didn't use a scale ) and have been using it since around 2006, I just developed paper negatives with it the other day ( some are posted in the paper negative image sharing pages ) ..
feel free to PM me if you want some Sumatra whole bean coffee I dont' use instant anymore but roast my own and I seem to have a lifetime supply ...
to use the Sumatra or any bean coffee instead of instant, you brew a strong pot and add a little extra to the pot like you normally would ( or maybe that's just me? ), don't clear it with eggshells like church coffee ( I haven't tried that, maybe you do? the albumen might do good things
) ... I usually make 10 cups at a time and I add vit c until it foams. I've been replenishing the same batch for 2 years, still going strong, maybe your local robusta or arabica bean works as well too, not sure .. if you are in France look for "OLD GRINGO" instant it was at the leclerk I think and it was fantastic, no washing soda, either use baking soda as is ( sorry I don't have the conversion factor but you add extra ) or dry it out in your oven to convert it, vit c, the internet can help you cheaply...
good luck!
John
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