Coldkennels
Barnack-toting Brit.
I just got a roll of film back from the local lab and it's completely unscannable. It's some old Agfa APX 400 in 35mm - outdated 2002, but I bought it from a guy I know who keeps all his film in cold storage, so it should be fine. In theory.
However, the negs have come back almost completely opaque; there's a very faint latent image looking at them from the front, but the negatives are so dark that you can barely see a single thing on them, even when held up to the light. But when you flip them over, the image can be seen (relatively) clearly!
So what's the problem? I know it's hard to tell without seeing them in person, but is it likely to be a processing error? Do I go back to the lab and complain?
However, the negs have come back almost completely opaque; there's a very faint latent image looking at them from the front, but the negatives are so dark that you can barely see a single thing on them, even when held up to the light. But when you flip them over, the image can be seen (relatively) clearly!
So what's the problem? I know it's hard to tell without seeing them in person, but is it likely to be a processing error? Do I go back to the lab and complain?
MartinP
Veteran
Do you mean the frames are opaque,with the normal clear borders etc., or do you mean the whole width of the film is dark ?
ibcrewin
Ah looky looky
post a picture.
Coldkennels
Barnack-toting Brit.
No, the whole film. Including over the sprockets + edge code - but only from the front. From the back, everything is legible.
Coldkennels
Barnack-toting Brit.
Chuck Albertson
Well-known
It looks like old film that was fogged by background radiation, which faster films are more susceptible to. Cold storage won't prevent it.
Coldkennels
Barnack-toting Brit.
Dang. If that's true, I guess I'll have to invest in a lead box to keep in the freezer!
haempe
Well-known
Exhausted Fixer?
MISH
Well-known
I agree with haempe, if the negs have a milky look they have not had adequate fixing..... if you happen to have any fixer try refixing a strip
tlitody
Well-known
could have been fixed in dodgy fixer (exhausted). But then the film is old and you can't be sure of how well it was kept which may not have helped.
f16sunshine
Moderator
Fix them again. Try presoaking in tepid water forva bit to gentle swell the emultion. Prepair for the chance of slightly more grain than normal.
Chuck Albertson
Well-known
That won't help much, either. Kodak stores its stocks of TMax 3200 in a deep salt mine before placing them in the retail channels.
It's easier to stick to fresh film.