Caffenol problems?

These days the only film I would use a Caffenol mix on (CCM) would be Rollei Retro-80s. Have no idea why it works so well. Aloha, Bill

Thanks for the tip, Bill. I bought some but struggled with it even at ISO 50. Have used caffenol but on other films. Mostly Polypan-F.

Not nearly as much fun of course

Surely weighing out one chemical is just as much 'fun' as weighing out any other? Or just as much of a chore if repeated many times.

Unless maybe one of those chemicals is nitroglycerine or nitrogen triiodide!

 

Ditching the sulphite in a Phenidone-ascorbate developer would greatly reduce its working life and increase its unpredictability. Then you're back with a wasteful one-shotter like caffenol.

 

0.25g of Phenidone versus a tablespoonful of instant coffee. I suspect pricewise there's not a lot of difference. And just as much 'fun' to be had from making up the solution.

Edited May 9, 2021 by rodeo_joe|1

Those (Rollei) Retro S films are raw material coming from Agfa Gevaert in Mortsel, near Antwerpen (Belgium) and is aviation type film hence the high contrast and lower speed. I am using the Retro 400(S) on iso 160 which is about the real speed in a low contrast type developer like R.L.C. (Rollei Low Contrast) which is the Film Low Gamma receipt made for many years by Udo Raffay ( a known European chemical engineer, died however), now by his assistant Mr. Suvatlar in Hamburg. Caffenol LC is also a low contrast type developer so it will work too on these films.