30 year old roll of Ilford FP4 to be developed help.

[Guest]

However this roll got lost I have no idea but I am going to have a go and see what turns out.
But I need some developing time help. I have a choice of using Adox Rodinal or Kodak HC110.

Rodinal for normal unexpired film states the following...

Ilford FP4+
Rodinal
1+24
80 ASA
7.5 MINUTES.

So I was thinking of adding 25% in the time number and develop for 10 minutes.

Any suggestions ???

 

[CharlesDAMorgan]

I shot the balance of a bulk roll of FP4 from a neighbour's self loader, which had been in the loader since 1994. Much to my immense surprise, it was fine without any compensation in developing. I shot it at 125 and developed it in FX39 for normal time. I wouldn't randomly add time for the sake of it - it's not colour, it's low speed should be less inclined to have gone off - this reel had sat in his attic with 35plus heat for at least 4 summers of that! Good luck.

 

[rlouzan]

Develop in Kodak HC110B , and increase time by at least 50%. Expect thin and fogged negs.

 

[Derek Leath]

I've done stand dev with Adox Rodinal 1:100 for 60 mins at 68F or so.
It came out fine.

 

[wpb]

Latent image development after decades of non-temperature controlled storage would almost always require an increase in development. Developing old but previously unexposed film is a little different.

Depending on the importance of the images this can run from the suggested 50% increase to stand development all the way to checking the development progress with infrared goggles during the development and adjusting as needed.

You can definitely use the rodinal with stand development and get an image, but depending on the way the film was stored you will also have slight to fairly heavy fog over the entirety of the film.

 

[David Hughes]

If, and only if, it's a 36 exposure 35mm film then I'd sacrifice - perhaps - the first foot or so to test develop however you like.


Anyway, I'll wish you luck.


Regards, David

 

[Guest]

Well one issue for stand development is I am in Georgia USA, it’s hot as a Mother down here at the moment. My cold tap water is still reading at 77f, so other than doing a cold ice water bath in a sink and that is doable, a 15 minute time seems my next beat option.
The film was shot with a Hasselblad so it’s 120 and has a note on it “ EGYPT AND TESTS” so there must be a couple from my Luxor and Cairo trip from pre virus days, come to think of it pre 911 and pre me marrying the “REPTILE” days as well.
Anyhow, I am about to pour a stiff Gin and Tonic and go for a 15 minute shot at it.
It’s only because of boredom resulting in tidying up my darkroom that I found it yesterday believe it or not.

 

[markjwyatt]

..
Anyhow, I am about to pour a stiff Gin and Tonic and go for a 15 minute shot at it..

Quinine for Covid-19 prophylactic purposes? Cheers.

 

[wpb]

Temperature doesn’t matter as much with stand development. Once the developer is exhausted it forms a “cloud” over that area keeping further development to a minimum, that’s why you leave it without agitation.

 

[Guest]

Well thank you all for your input. Sadly it’s come up with the same issues that stopped me using Ilford FP4 a while back, the backing paper has as usual caused a problem. Ever since I changed to Fuji BW film these issues disappeared. All exposures are on the money, I have always used a spot meter and not once have I been off with exposures. There is some evidence of age but I believe that if the film experiences humidity the backing paper kind of bleeds onto the negative.
Anyhow there are eight images of Egypt and some from me doing exposure readings, that must be my TESTS comment on the film.
Nothing lost as not one would have been worth wasting paper on. Either way I will scan them and take a trip down memory lane. The old girlfriend with me at the time was a beauty, sadly she liked my money and she had to go after the trip over there that I paid for. We spent time on a Nile cruise that I paid extra for while staying at Luxor, I then decided to fly us up to Cairo and stay at the Hilton, staying opposite the famous Museum where the demonstrations took place. Truly a magnificent trip but as I said before I had too many issues with that film when I used it in humid areas.
Just did two Fuji films from an Italian trip late last year as well, they have come out beautifully.
I am now up to date with processing, just need this virus to go so that we can get away again. The film and cameras are as impatient as I am at the moment for some new action.
Cheers and thank you again for your input.