Daniel Keating posted an article on his experiments with developing film in green tea and peppermint extract amongst others on DIY Photography. Daniel points out that it is the phenols in green tea and coffee that do the work to develop film. His results look great and he lists formulas for the developing agents of choice, so the Kind Reader can mix their own developers to try a roll or two.
This can be of interest to those wanting a natural product to work with, or to those who cannot source commercial chemistry.
For the latter, keep in mind that stores that supply chemicals for pools or for fish tanks will carry sodium thiosulfate, which can be used directly as a fixer. In the comments, he posts a link to a supplier. That link also explains typical uses of the chemical, so that you can ask for it at the store.
Keep in mind, that commercial fixer includes sodium sulfite to preserve the fixer. Otherwise, the fixer will oxidize rapidly. Richard Knoppow of the pure-silver mailing list gives the following formula for plain fixer, mix and use immediately: "240 grams of crystaline thiosulfate in 1 liter of water."
Simple. A acid hardening fixer can be made with the addition of two more ingredients.
Read Daniel Keatings article for the details, photos and more!
