How to Develop Kodachrome as a B&W Negative?

[Dave Jenkins]

I have about a half-dozen rolls of Kodachrome 25 and 64 that for some reason or other I never had developed. I remember reading/hearing years ago that Kodachrome can be developed as a black-and-white negative. I would like to do that, just to see what's on the rolls. Can anyone fill me in on what developer to use and time/temperature info?

 

[alienmeatsack]

I think you can use any BW developer to do the job. I'd probably try to use something like D76 or their TMax Developer.

I don't know if it's like some other older films where you have to hit it hard with the BW developer to get any image, or if you can treat it as if it were any other BW film (vs it's original color mode)

I think it possibly has a remjet layer too which means you'll have to soften and remove that too.

 

[Mike is hungry]

I've developed Kodachrome 64 in Xtol at 7 minutes. I did a pre-soak and a longer rinse at the end. The Remjet came off fairly easily for me after that. Here's an example taken with a OM2n & macro lens:

 

[Chris101]

I've developed Kodachrome 64 in Xtol at 7 minutes. I did a pre-soak and a longer rinse at the end. The Remjet came off fairly easily for me after that. Here's an example taken with a OM2n & macro lens:

Great first post Mike! That's a pretty good puffball for an obsolete film.

 

[68degrees]

Ive got a roll of Kodakchrome-X daylight or blue flash KX 135-20 ASA 64 process K-12. I have fresh ID-11 mixed up for B&W. This is found film from a camera I bought on ebay. I think it was a Signet 35. I dont know when they stopped making this kind of film but I bet its pretty old, no tellling whats on there. Should I go for it using the protocol below or is the K-12 different?

 

[Phil_F_NM]

K-12 is different in the dye coupling but they are similar enough that your only option these days is to process as a black and white with your favorite developer. K-12 has been gone since 1974 so it's a crapshoot regarding what you can get. You'll need to soak it and get that remjet layer off for even development. I've had to clean that off of both E-6 and C-41 machines due to lab techs who didn't pay attention and that sludge sticks to rollers, tanks, heaters, everything. Not that you're using a roller transport but remjet is the nasty mucous of the developing world. Keep your stuff very clean after processing it or you can get stains on future rolls.

Phil Forrest

 

[Mike is hungry]

@Chris101

Thanks. I've lurked on this board for ages. I figured it was about time to make my presence known.

 

[kuzano]

Important images or grand experiment....

Important images or grand experiment....

If it's not entirely out of the realm of impossibility, how about Caffenol..

I followed the recent extremely extensive and in fact archived the complete thread.

I don't recall any mention of Kodachrome, but it appears to be quite flexible.

I am preparing to start working with Caffenol based on that thread and two or three web sites dedicated to the process.

Have gathered up most of the materials. Wonder how Kodachrome would work with that?.I don't have any Kodachrome shot to try it?

 

[lynnb]

If you don't want to develop it yourself Peak Imaging in the UK will process as a bw negative and print for £13.91.

Here's their full reply:

Yes, the K14 process is now obsolete but we can get B&W negatives from it.
Obviously storage conditions and original shooting will have a bearing on
the results.

For process and prints its £13.91. It is a very manual, time consuming
task.