Expired Acros in Rodinal - how should I proceed?

[mitch]

A few weeks ago a friend of mine gave me a whole bunch of large and medium format film she'd had sitting at the back of her fridge for a while (by a while I mean years - some of the 4x5 sheets expired in the mid-80s). Today I went out and shot a shot one of of the more recent rolls in the bunch, some Acros that expired in late 2003.

I rated it at ISO 64, and I'm going to develop in Rodinal, but I'm not sure if I should just let it sit there for an hour in 1:100 or go with 1:50 and the times listed in the massive dev chart. If I refer to the chart, I'm not sure if I should just use the times listed for Acros rated at 64 or maybe let it sit in there for an extra minute or two being that the film is 8 years old. I really don't have too much experience in messing with expired film, not stuff this old anyway.

 

[Chris101]

If it has been carefully refrigerated the entire time since 2003, I don't think it would need to have extended development. With the 1980s stuff, the base density may be unacceptably high no matter what you do. I have shot b&w film that old, but printing it required a considerable contrast boost.

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

I'd just develop it normally, but try one roll first just to be sure on the exposure and development. I do a lot of Acros in Rodinal 1+50. 11 minutes at 68 degrees. Slow films like Acros don't hurt much from age, so you may be ok with the normal developement. I usually shoot it at 100 but 64 might be better for your stuff as aging does cause speed loss in most films

 

[mwooten]

Last year I developed a 120 roll of Acros that had been exposed on Easter 2002. I used Rodinal 1:100 stand development and was really pleased with the result.

--michael

 

[mitch]

Chris, how are your results with 1+50 @ 11 minutes? The Massive Dev Chart lists a time of 13.5 minutes at that dilution and temperature.

I'd just develop it normally, but try one roll first just to be sure on the exposure and development. I do a lot of Acros in Rodinal 1+50. 11 minutes at 68 degrees. Slow films like Acros don't hurt much from age, so you may be ok with the normal developement. I usually shoot it at 100 but 64 might be better for your stuff as aging does cause speed loss in most films

 

[healyzh]

I realize it's a different film, but I've had good luck with TMAX 400 that expired in 2002 in Rodinal 1:100 for an hour. I love the look of Acros 100 in Rodinal 1:100 stand develop for an hour. So that's personally what I'd try. The stuff from the 80's, I've no idea on, best advice is to do some test shots and see what you get. Might prove fun, or it might prove to be a bust.

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

Chris, how are your results with 1+50 @ 11 minutes? The Massive Dev Chart lists a time of 13.5 minutes at that dilution and temperature.

All on Acros developed in Rodinal per my earlier directions. 11 minutes, 68 degrees. 1+50. Agitate first 30 seconds and 2 inversions every 30 seconds.

 

[dfoo]

1:100 Rodinal for 30 minutes gives me good results for ISO 100 films. Two inverts when your pour in the dev, one invert at 15 minutes. Water is a little below 20.

 

[mitch]

Wow, I really love the contrast on those, however that's not exactly what I'm going for with the shots on this roll. I'll definitely have to try 1+50 @ 11 minutes in the future though, as most of the work I end up doing would fit that look more than the snowy landscapes I shot this morning.

I think I'm just going to give the 1+100 a shot as I've had good luck with it in the past.

All on Acros developed in Rodinal per my earlier directions. 11 minutes, 68 degrees. 1+50. Agitate first 30 seconds and 2 inversions every 30 seconds.

 

[Ezzie]

If I remember correctly there's a two minute exposure amongst the examples Chris posted. Developed in Rodinal, and giving that texture and tone, impresses the heck out of me.

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

If I remember correctly there's a two minute exposure amongst the examples Chris posted. Developed in Rodinal, and giving that texture and tone, impresses the heck out of me.

😀😀😀

The two chairs in front of the barn are a 5 minute exposure! Shot just as the sun set. The church interior was the two minute exposure

 

[Ezzie]

Darn, my memory is slipping! 😀