Underdeveloped or Underexposed?

[Brian Moore]

I'm still experimenting with instant coffee as a developer. Here is a shot from my most recent roll. The film is Fuji Acros 100 in 120 format, shot with a Holga 120N.

As with my two previous rolls of film developed in coffee I'm getting what I think is underdevelopment.

This issue of underdevelopment vs underexposure seems a tricky one. I checked around online to find a definitive way of identifying one vs the other, but came away only with the realization that determining one from the other is harder than I expected it to be.

Basically, though, it seems you have to use the neg as your guide, and that a "thin" neg indicates underdevelopment. (However, some opinions take this mantra to obscure degrees of alleged analysis.)

My negs looked thin. This surprised me since I used the same recipe and semi-stand technique that I used for my Tri-X @ 1600 roll (a couple of images from which I posted last week).

This image is shown as it came out of the coffee and again tweaked in scanning by adding backlight adjustment.

Costume Jewelry Re-Seller

 

[Pete Askew]

As you've discovered, it is difficult to work out the cause of thin negatives sometimes especially when looking at the 'print'. The key difference is the amount of detail in the shadow areas. If that is very low then it is more likely to be underexposure than underdevelopment. You could run a calibration on your film/camera/development by taking shots at -2, -1, 0, +1 and +2N and then developing and using the scanner to estimate the density curves and thus work out the best ISO for the process.

 

[Brian Moore]

Thanks Pete. Look at the guy's face in both images. In the dark one you can't see it well. The shade from his hat renders it too dark. In the lighter one, however, you can see his face fairly well. This suggests to me that there is detail in the shadows. Thus, underdevelopment most likely. Would you agree?

Also,...three rolls of different film. Two different emulsions. Three ISO speeds. Two development regimens. Two different cameras. (Both known-good.) I'm leaning toward the developer mixture being the issue.

 

[Pete Askew]

I do. Increasing agitation might be enough or maybe temperature.

 

[Dave Moss]

It seems likley underdeveloped found this on the web about it as this intruiged me into looking

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http://content.photojojo.com/tutorials/coffee-caffenol-film-developing/

 

[Brian Moore]

Thank, Pete.

(Developed at 70 degrees F and with a relatively rigorous agitation, considering it was 70 minute "semi-stand" which included: 10 inversions to start, then 3 at 1 min, 3 at 2 mins, 3 at 4 mins, 3 at 8 mins, 3 at 16 mins, 3 at 32 mins then let stand the remainder.)

 

[Pete Askew]

It might be that you have to use a non-stand method as I'm not sure how good the chemistry is at scavenging the development products. That might be holding back the later stages of the development.

 

[Brian Moore]

It seems likley underdeveloped found this on the web about it as this intruiged me into looking

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How to Develop Film Using Coffee and Vitamin C! Srsly! | Photojojo

Thanks, Dave. That recipe is fairly close to what I'm using. I have tried two recipes out of the Caffenol Cookbook.

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It might be that you have to use a non-stand method as I'm not sure how good the chemistry is at scavenging the development products. That might be holding back the later stages of the development.

I think that may be my next attempt, Pete. My first roll was non-stand, but it was also less coffee. I may try non-stand/more coffee. Thanks, Pete.

 

[Pete Askew]

Don't Starbucks do a variant in take-away form? Americano, extra-strong with sodium bicarbonate and vitamin C. Could solve the temperature issue too!

 

[Chris Dodkin]

I take an extra shot with that Pete - sounds like a great morning brew!

Interesting stuff Brian - enjoying seeing how this develops

 

[Brian Moore]

Don't Starbucks do a variant in take-away form? Americano, extra-strong with sodium bicarbonate and vitamin C. Could solve the temperature issue too!

A triple-shot Cafe Americano would certainly be a pleasant jolt--not sure it would develop though.

 

[Hamish Gill]

Sometimes reading this forum I get a distinct feeling that I really haven't the first clue what I'm talking about ... It often comes just after I have read somthing Pete says on film photography ... Anyone else get that??

Brian, I haven't a clue... But I'm really enjoying reading about you finding out!

 

[Dave Moss]

Why do you think I had to go look around the web Hamish I think thats the beauty of photography you are always learning

 

[Hamish Gill]

Why do you think I had to go look around the web Hamish I think thats the beauty of photography you are always learning

Aint that the truth?!

 

[Brian Moore]

Anyone else get that??

Yes,...all the time. A large area of my ignorance is regarding digital and how the sensors work and what lenses go with what. I'm also a total dunce about scanning/DPI/PPI etc. I'm even more ignorant about post-processing. And, to top that all off, I may shoot film primarily and also process my own B&W, but I feel I have only scratched the surface of knowledge in the film arena, too.

 

[Hamish Gill]

Brilliant really isn't it ... An almost endless amount (bottomless pit??) of possibility

 

[Adam Lewis]

Recipes, agitation, stand, non-stand, caffenol, espresso, americano, latte = headaches = just go digital

I was actually thinking earlier about perhaps getting one of those toy looking film cameras, but after reading this, I don't think ill bother lol

 

[Brian Moore]

Recipes, agitation, stand, non-stand, caffenol, espresso, americano, latte = headaches = just go digital

I was actually thinking earlier about perhaps getting one of those toy looking film cameras, but after reading this, I don't think ill bother lol

lol. It's by choice that we put ourselves through these things, Adam, not by force. But your point is well-taken: No headaches with digital.