Ilford Delta 100 – 1500ml Recipe
Overview:
Below is the Caffenol recipe and development process I’ve been using to develop Ilford Delta 100 film at home. The volumes below work well for developing 4×5 sheet film or multiple rolls of 35mm and/or 120 film in the Paterson Multi-Reel 3 Tank. Adjust the volumes as necessary or, given the very low cost of the ingredients, discard what isn’t used.
Ingredients:
-Instant Coffee – 8 tsp
-Ascorbic Acid – 4 tsp
-Washing Soda – 12 tsp
Preparation:
-Mix Coffee in 500ml of Distilled Water Until Dissolved
-Mix Ascorbic Acid in 500ml of Distilled Water Until Dissolved
-Mix Washing Soda in 500ml of Distilled Water Until Dissolved
Once each is dissolved separately, combine in a 2 litter or greater mixing bowl or comparable container and stir. Once adequately stirred, check the temperature of the combined mix and take whatever actions are necessary to get the temperature to 68 Fahrenheit / 20 Celsius. If it’s above 68, cover the mix and put it in the refrigerator. If it’s below, cover it and let it sit at room temperature or heat it in a double boiler type of pot to slowly raise the temperature. *Covering the bowl keeps dust and any other unwanted particles out of the mix and off your film.
Key Thoughts:
The recipe and development times are calibrated to a correct exposure at the time of taking the photo. This recipe and development process is for neither pulling or pushing the negative. If I want to under or over expose a shot, I will take the necessary steps when taking a photo to achieve this and not make it part of the development process. For instance, I may lower the shutter speed if I want to increase the exposure of an image or vice versa.
I develop in Patterson Super System 4 tanks with various film size holders including 35mm, 120 and 4×5 sheet film.
Pre-Development Steps:
-Load film into tank using a tent or dark bag.
-Prepare fixer or reuse from a previous batch.
-Set up stop watch / timer. (Smart Phones work great)
-Once Caffenol mix is at 68F / 20C, fill development tank with tap water and let the faucet run for 2 – 3 minutes as a mild pre-soak.
-Get Caffenol into position and conduct final stirring.
-Turn off the faucet and drain the tank.
Development Process:
-Pour Caffenol mix into the development tank, secure the lid and agitate for 60 seconds. (To Agitate – I slowly turn the tank upside down, around and back and forth – Slowly and gently)
-Put sealed tank on counter.
-Rinse the empty Caffenol mix container and fill with soapy water – Will need this later
-At 2 minutes – Agitate 3 times
-At 3 minutes – Agitate 3 times
-At 4 minutes – Agitate 3 times
-At 5 minutes – Agitate 3 times
-At 6 minutes – Agitate 3 times
-At 7 minutes – Agitate 3 times
-At 8 minutes – Agitate 3 times
-At 9 minutes – Agitate 3 times
-At 10 minutes – Agitate 3 times
-At 11 minutes – Agitate 3 times
-At 12 minutes – Agitate 3 times
-At 13 minutes – Agitate 3 times
-At 14 minutes – Agitate 3 times
-At 15 minutes – Pour the Caffenol mix out of the development tank.
-Fill tank with distilled water – Agitate 6 times and empty.
-Fill tank with distilled water – Agitate 6 times and empty.
-Fill tank with distilled water – Agitate 6 times and empty.
Fixing:
-Fill tank with fixer and agitate 3 times.
-At 2 mins – Agitate 3 times
-At 3 mins – Agitate 3 times
-At 4 mins – Agitate 3 times
-At 5 mins – Agitate 3 times and pour fixer out.
Final Rinse:
-Fill with Distilled water and agitate 3 times – Pour water out.
-Fill again with fresh Distilled water and agitate 6 times – Pour water out.
-Fill again with fresh Distilled water and agitate 12 times – Pour water out.
-Put Soapy Water In and agitate 24 times
-Squeege with finger and hang film to dry.
