Checking what a film is?

[agour]

Hey,

I recently bought a photavit sub mini camera, and it came with film in the canisters.

Its definately black and white, and hopefully it will have been exposed by the previous owner. Anyway, I wondered whats the best way to check what film it is?

If I cut a small length of the film off, could I just develop it as normal (but only for a few minutes). Or, is there an easier way to approach this?

Thanks!
-agour

 

[sevo]

The Photavit used regular 35mm film in proprietary (somewhat Rapid like but not identical) cartridges. It was generally DIY loaded, so there can be anything in there - even if it has an edge code, you'd still have to identify it and find times for that film in a modern developer. And you might run across different film in each canister...

You probably will fare just as well if you simply ignore the film type and develop a test sample in HC110 (Dil. B) at 6 minutes, extending or decreasing development for the rest if that should be too weak or contrasty. HC110 is particularly good for developing unknown film exposed aeons ago, as its development times for different film types fall rather close together, and as it already contains a fogging inhibitor.

 

[agour]

Unfortunately I only have ID11, and dont fancy forking out extra ££ for a long shot. Ill go develop a small sample now and see what happens!