Gambling.

So, recently I've been completely obsessed with home developing.  More specifically:  chemical free home developing.  I found a solid caffenol site and worked on a recipe.  The first few tries were recorded in a notebook I've dubbed my Photography Notes notebook (where I will be noting everything I need to note photographically) like a mad scientist perfecting an experiment.  Well, that's what I was doing, really.

The Experiment

The first test roll was literally a full 36 exposure roll of Kodak Tri-X shot in the Recesky TLR.  That was a huge mistake.  Whole roll ended up completely overdeveloped.  But, the Recesky is also pretty fixed by way of apeture and shutter speed.  So, it could have been a bit under exposed too... we'll never know.  What we do know was that it was a failure.  But, I learn from my mistakes.

Next test was done with another roll of Tri-X shot in the Mamiya 500dtl.  Shot one pictre, same lighting and camera settings, 36 times.  Pulled one revolution in the tank spool from the roll and dev'd that.  This time I didn't make enough developer.  So, only half the negative was developed.  However, that section didn't look overdeveloped.  It was really thin, stainwise.  So, I adjusted for a third try.

The third Tri-X try was a success.  But, the image was... flat, I guess.  There wasn't much by way of midtones or shadow detail.  Afterward I did a little more research on specifically Tri-X in caffenol.  I found that there was a certain chemical missing that was required for the Tri-X emulsion blend.  Over the counter I would be ordering a dog sedative from Europe.  I said, "no thanks," and went back to the drawing board.

At this point I did more reading and found that Fomapan 100 was supposed to be an ideal film to use with this concoction.  So, I ordered a bulk loader and two 100' bulk rolls of Foma100 (the rolls were stupid cheap, 2 seemed right).  And that's when the magic happened.

Rolled out a 10 shot roll and loaded the 500.  First attempt wasn't bad, just needed some tweaking.  Adjusted the recipe and added a little time and this is what I got:

It's still a little foggy, but it has a definite texture/feel to it.  I'm really happy with these results, I think.

So happy, in fact I decided to gamble and run a roll through my Zorki 1 and develop it using the same recipe as the successful attempt.  Thus far it looks pretty promising.  It's hanging to dry in the bathroom as I type this.  Will scan in the morning and see if it will be feasible to run a roll tomorrow. 

Anywho, mostly I'm just running the materials for this little endeavor out as I've ordered some proper HC-110.  It's really cheap, at least as cheap as if not cheaper than the caffenol.  And, it's supposed to be more environmentally friendly than other developers.  So, that makes me feel a little better.   All in all, rolling my own rolls and developing my own film is going to cut my photography costs significantly.  Too bad I can't develop slide film as easily.  I've just gotten hooked on those gorgeous color shifts.

The Waiting is the Hardest Part

Need to send off the B&W roll.  That means going to Fairview and that would require putting on pants, effort... the lot.  It'll have to wait for the weekend.  Shot a roll of new Fuji 200 at the Botanical Gardens in St. Louis on Mothers Day.  Got some really great shots and miraculously every shot turned out.

I know I said all the shots exposed, but these were the keepers.

In other news, I'm on the brink of finishing my first pinhole.  Used a build write up from Chris Keeney, inventor of the "Mintycam" and will hopefully finish it tonight.  This experiment could go one of two ways.  Hoping for the positive.  Ordered my Recesky TLR and it should be here in time for the wedding.  Looking at the Sprocket Rocket or the Supersampler next.  Two completely different cameras with completely different final products.  Also on the wishlist is an Epson Perfection 40.  Not exactly "analogue," but as I primarily upload my images and seldom print them out it works.  As well, Victoria has gobs and gobs of negatives she'd like to digitize for keeps.

Anywho, that's that.  Going to load and prep my tin pinhole and will post the photos as soon as they're developed.  Then, I'll post photos scanned with the scanner we get, as the shots should go to the sprockets, but the 1 hour place can't scan past the sprockets.

Second Post and Recesky

The second roll shot with the Mini is another (and my last) roll of expired (2002) Fuji 400.  Pictures are less of the work site and more of the city I live in and the city I work in.

After I shot this roll of film I was saddened to hear that Wal-Mart doesn't do 1 hour developing any more.  Yes, I know that sounds bunk.  Yes, I know that using a 1 hour service isn't "artsy."  But, I'm impatient.  The other thing I am is poor.  So, after realizing I could send off to this place in New England for half the price of 1-hour around here... well it's a different game.

Have expired Fuji 400 b&w loaded now.  Using strictly half-frame format.  Have a couple overlay panoramas I'm anxious to see. 

Yes, I've only had this camera for a few weeks.  Yes, I'm already looking at another one... 

I've been obsessed with TLR cameras for some time now.  Finally, I've found one that's not really expensive.  The Recesky TLR is a plastic, toy camera much like the Diana Mini.  Only, this one comes in pieces and I get to assemble it.  It has the top viewfinder and everything.  The only catch is it will only shoot in vertical 35mm.  Unless you turn it on it's side of course.  So, my plan is to create a mask of some sort and force it to shoot in square format like the Mini does.  It will take some thought.  But, I found them on eBay for 20 bucks/free shipping.  So, if I decide to perma mount a mask in the obscura box I could always get another for fairly cheap.

After sating the TLR bug, it will be on to finding something that will shoot on the sprockets.  Also, the wife and I have been looking into a negative scanner.  It has to have the capability to scan medium format film as that's Victoria's format of choice.  But, I think we've found a suitable candidate in the Epson Perfection v500.  Not too pricey, and in the long run will end up saving us money.

Anywho, off to bed.  Happy shooting!