Pan-X, A shot in the dark?

[projectbluebird]

I bought two more leica cassettes today, one of which was loaded with film. It wasn't until after I got home that I found a handwritten note on the leader identifying it as "Panatomic-X." I think it's still unexposed, so I'd like to try shooting with it before I load up something else, just for fun.

Here's the problem: the only information I've been able to find online is that it was (variously) a 25/32/40 ASA film, and kodak last made it in 1987. As for development times-nada. Poking through my various vintage photo manuals has also been a wash. I've found several examples of images taken with it, and a few descriptions of its properties, but no development information.

Does anyone have a better resource for this film? If you can find times for D-76, or some other common developer I'll give it a whirl. Otherwise I'll just have to junk it.

 

[cosmonot]

I have a couple hundred feet of Panatomic-x in the freezer - here's the info from the data sheet:

HC-110 (dil. b) 4.5 min
D76 5 min
D76 1+1 7 min

for 32 ASA, all at 68 deg F.

 

[Doug]

My last roll of Panatomic-X was shot in 1968. My records indicate I mostly developed in FR X-22 developer, at first 10 min @70° exposing at EI 80, later 7.25 min at 74 deg and EI 50. I also used Diafine, and if you're at all partial to Diafine as I am, this may be the most useful choice due to its strong compensating nature, reining in excess contrast and making sure highlight density doesn't go overboard. Shoot at EI 40 or 50, and then make sure to keep your agitation very gentle in Part B (vigorous agitation was my big mistake with Diafine back in the 60's).

 

[projectbluebird]

Thanks!

Cosmonot, what's the ASA on your bulk rolls?

 

[cosmonot]

32 ASA. Sorry, edited to add that.

My rodinal box also says 1:25 @ 5 min, 1:50 @ 11 min.

I'm looking forward to trying it out once the spring arrives. They were throwing it out at work, guess it was what they used on the copy stands.

 

[mr_phillip]

Y'know projectbluebird, after this time the actual ASA value of the film will have shifted downwards unpredictably. You might be best to nominally rate it as, say 25ASA, then stand-develop it in Rodinal 1+100 for a couple of hours. That should effectively even out any exposure/rating issues.