I started developing C-41 film (Fuji Superia X-tra 400) as black and white negatives using caffenol. I am quite new to this and when i finish developing the images they all come out transparent and very hard to see, regardless of how I adjust my recipe. It can't be my camera, because even the edge markings are transparent. I've uploaded a sample image of one of the negatives. The edge markings are actually there but my camera dosen't do a very good job of picking them up.
Answer
Assuming all your chemicals are OK, let’s explore what could be the matter? The developing step (first chemical), must diffuse into the film’s emulsion layer; this takes a little time. After it gains entry, it begins to act by blackening the exposed silver salts; this takes more time. The key factors are: time in solution, and the temperature of the solution.
Because your previous attempts were less than a success, let’s run a test with the room lights on. Snip off two pieces of film, an inch length for both, from the film’s tongue will do for this trick. Prepare a tray of developer and a tray of fixer. You might need to repeat this test, so be prepared to sacrifice some film.
Next run two tests in normal room light so you can watch what happens:
Dunk one snipping in the developer and swish it about. Watch as this snipping changes color from pale to dark. Time how long this takes. You have discovered how long to develop your film. If you don’t see the sniping darken, the developer is bad. If the time it takes to blacken is too long, repeat this test after elevating the temperature of the developer a few degrees. You might need to run this test a few more times.
Next, plop the second undeveloped snipping in the fix bath and swish it about. This snipping has never been in any fluid. As you watch in normal room light, it changes from opaque, to milky, and then to clear film. Time this reaction. Double this time, you have discovered the actual fix time you will use.
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