Windsock
Member
Hello all
I was looking through a box of old negatives and discovered a Tupperware at the bottom. I opened it and found 27 rolls of unexposed 35 mm film, together with that nice smell of "film".
There were also 3 exposed and 3 partially exposed rolls (I had an Eos 5 back then which let you change rolls by rewinding and leaving the film leader out so that you could reload, keep the lens cap on and fire the shutter until you got back to the next unexposed frame - cool).
I stopped buying film back in 2004 so these are at least 16 years old. 1 x Ektachrome, 4 x Provia slide film, 5 x Kodak X-Pan 125, 6 x Tri-X, 1 x Tmax, 2 x Kodak 160 VC, some Ilford and a bunch of Fujicolor film (Super and Superia 200, 400 and 800) I bought when I was in Japan. I would post pictures, but they are on my phone.
Now I need to work out whether I can use normal development times for them ... Will it depend on the film ? or should I extend the time? Will be using Ilfotec HC for the BW and Tetanal for the C-41.
My kids thought I had lost it as I ran around the house yelling "Treasure!", "Jackpot!", "I won the lottery!" (I am normally quite calm).
Thanks in advance
I was looking through a box of old negatives and discovered a Tupperware at the bottom. I opened it and found 27 rolls of unexposed 35 mm film, together with that nice smell of "film".
There were also 3 exposed and 3 partially exposed rolls (I had an Eos 5 back then which let you change rolls by rewinding and leaving the film leader out so that you could reload, keep the lens cap on and fire the shutter until you got back to the next unexposed frame - cool).
I stopped buying film back in 2004 so these are at least 16 years old. 1 x Ektachrome, 4 x Provia slide film, 5 x Kodak X-Pan 125, 6 x Tri-X, 1 x Tmax, 2 x Kodak 160 VC, some Ilford and a bunch of Fujicolor film (Super and Superia 200, 400 and 800) I bought when I was in Japan. I would post pictures, but they are on my phone.
Now I need to work out whether I can use normal development times for them ... Will it depend on the film ? or should I extend the time? Will be using Ilfotec HC for the BW and Tetanal for the C-41.
My kids thought I had lost it as I ran around the house yelling "Treasure!", "Jackpot!", "I won the lottery!" (I am normally quite calm).
Thanks in advance
newst
Well-known
OK, take this with a grain of salt. I do not develop my own film so I won't be giving you advice on how to develop the rolls you have found.
I have, however, read a number of photography blogs that address the use of expired film. The majority of them discount the "conventional wisdom" of adding X minutes of processing for Y years of expiration.
My advice is, rather than look for a single formula, do a deep dive web search on each type of film you found, and user experience involving developing that film if expired.
I have, however, read a number of photography blogs that address the use of expired film. The majority of them discount the "conventional wisdom" of adding X minutes of processing for Y years of expiration.
My advice is, rather than look for a single formula, do a deep dive web search on each type of film you found, and user experience involving developing that film if expired.
santino
FSU gear head
I think it is not the same to shoot expired film and develop and to shoot fresh film and develop when its expired. My guess is that C41 will be fine but slide film is a gamble..
charjohncarter
Veteran
For what it is worth, a friend gave me his store of non-refrig film (2008). The black and white were fine with normal exposure and development time. Some people lower the EI which I do anyway by half and I still used my normal development time. The color was completely different: Kodak C-41 held up just fine; even the Ektachrome. The Fuji slide film was gone even the 50 ISO Velvia. The Fuji C-41 400 and 800 were worthless, he didn't have Super or 200. Again, these were poorly stored and I know the room and it received afternoon sun in California, I don't think the room was heated or cooled.
Ektachrome expired 2008 from 2018:
Kodak EktaChrome expired 2003 by John Carter, on Flickr
Ektachrome expired 2008 from 2018:
Kodak EktaChrome expired 2003 by John Carter, on FlickrWindsock
Member
Thanks @newst @santino @charjohncarter for your feedback. I am trying to develop a roll of Fuji Super 200 later today and will see what happens and post results (if any!).
Will leave the slide film for now, may wait until the leaves change colour and see if anything comes out.
Am curious to see what is on the partially exposed rolls of Kodak Tri-X and 125. That was a really cool custom function on the EOS 5.
Will leave the slide film for now, may wait until the leaves change colour and see if anything comes out.
Am curious to see what is on the partially exposed rolls of Kodak Tri-X and 125. That was a really cool custom function on the EOS 5.
Ambro51
Collector/Photographer
A guy I used to work with found a box with undeveloped rolls up in the closet of his folks bedroom as he was cleaning out the house for an estate sale. He sent them out for processing, and got back a bunch of “amateur” porn his mommy and daddy done.
Windsock
Member
I don't know what's on it, but confident that it's not of my parents; Thanks for making me laugh. I am not holding my breath that it will be anything worthwhile, but who knows.nbagno
Established
Maybe ask the rescued film project and see what they say.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
oftheherd
Veteran
For what it is worth, a friend gave me his store of non-refrig film (2008). The black and white were fine with normal exposure and development time. Some people lower the EI which I do anyway by half and I still used my normal development time. The color was completely different: Kodak C-41 held up just fine; even the Ektachrome. The Fuji slide film was gone even the 50 ISO Velvia. The Fuji C-41 400 and 800 were worthless, he didn't have Super or 200. Again, these were poorly stored and I know the room and it received afternoon sun in California, I don't think the room was heated or cooled.
Ektachrome expired 2008 from 2018:
My goodness that is a great photo with the Edtachrome. Those colors have held up really well.
To Windsock: I don't really have any extensive experience with expired film development, but many here on RFF do. First of course is experimentation if that is an option. Using something like Rodinal or HC110 and stand development is also an option.
I really wish you good luck. If you find only one photo that brings back really happy memories however much time you spend will have been worth it.
charjohncarter
Veteran
I don't know about a great photo, but you are right the color held up well. Since then I shot another roll (refrigerated) and it was the same. Since China came into my life I haven't used the remaining five rolls.
Windsock
Member
I developed a roll of Fujicolor Super 200 from the 'found' batch in Tetenal C-41 for 3:45 (longer due to the number of prior rolls developed). Overall result is that the film shows its age, with a green cast at the bottom of some frames, others came out OK, but would not use the films for anything where I need the film to be reliable. Some samples below, please don't judge (too harshly!) the composition...
