Developer · Black and white
DIY/Homemade Caffenol-C
AvailableB&WLiquid Concentrate
Also known as: Caffenol, Coffee Developer
Home-made developer based on caffeic acid (from coffee or tea) and a pH modifier, most often sodium carbonate; vitamin C is optional (Wikipedia, RIT 1995). Reinhold G recommends pure vitamin C crystals and gives 15 minutes at 20 C for his Caffenol-C-M with ISO 100 films. See the caffenol-development technique guide for recipes. The 18-24 C range is not from a source.
- Type
- Liquid
- Process
- B&W
- Temperature
- 20°C
- Dilutions
- 1
- Shelf life
- Not stated
18–24°C (64–75°F)
concentrate
Characteristics
GrainMedium
AcutanceModerate, level 2 of 3
ContrastNormal, level 2 of 4
Warm tones, good midtone separation
Dilutions
| Ratio | Use | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| stock | One-shot | Mix fresh and discard after one use (Reinhold G describes Caffenol as a one-shot developer). His tested versions are Caffenol-C-M (standard), C-H (with potassium bromide, for faster films) and C-L (low concentration, for long or semi-stand development). |
Shelf life
- Concentrate
- Not stated
- Working Solution
- Not stated; mix fresh and discard after one use
One-shot: mix fresh and discard after a single use.
Often used for
Educational explorationEco-conscious alternativeExperimental photographyCost-effective learning
Limitations & warnings
- Results vary between recipes
- Slower than commercial developers (Reinhold G: 15 minutes at 20 C for Caffenol-C-M)
- Requires fresh mixing each use
Descriptions combine manufacturer specifications with community experience. Subjective assessments reflect common sentiment among photographers and may not match your results.