Panchro 620 Film - Made in Italy (Expired)

[maigo]

Hi All,

I bought a box of 75 (!) rolls of this film a few months ago.
Why? E.F.A.S. (Expired Film A.S.)

I could not find any background on this film online.
My guess looking at the backing is that it is made by Ferrari in 1963, week 7.
There is no speed marking.
Which film was it and what was the base ISO?

I have only one 620 camera (Argus Seventy-Five) but I do have several developers available (Rodinal, D76, HC-110, DD-X, Ilfosol).

Any recommendations for exposure times and developer to test out the film?

Here are other photos of the film: https://flic.kr/s/aHskPJ6Ub9

Thanks!

Michael.

Panchro 620 Camera Film - Made in Italy (Expired) (Paper Backing Label) by Michael Berry, on Flickr

 

[sara]

Hi Michael,

I of course have never come across this film before, but my suggestion (if no one's seen it either), is just to test it all out and shoot it at different speeds and different developers since a) it is expired, b) you have 75 rolls of it!

 

[x-ray]

I'd guess it's the equivalent of Verichrome pan. Probably ASA 64 or 50. I start exposing at 64 and open up in 1/2 stop increments noting exposure. Start with HC110 dilution B and try 7 to 8 minutes at 68f. It's a guess and a starting point. I'm guessing too that film that old will be considerably slower in ASA and have heavy fog. If you can get some anti fog / orthozite add some to the developer to reduce fog.

 

[Jhausler]

if i get old or random film, i semi-stand develop it in rodinal for 90min with maybe regular agitation for 5 minutes, then a tap or two at 30 and 60 minutes.

i agree with x-ray.. start at iso64 and give it more light. with 75 rolls, you have some room for experiments.

 

[Michel154]

as Jhausler said a semi stand or Diafine two bath developer works well on unknown/expired films

 

[sevo]

Pancro (!) was the regular brand Ferrania used for panchromatic black and white film. But I suspect that this is something else. Apart from the spelling error (it is PANCHRO with an extra "H" on the backing paper), Ferrania was the top Italian brand, a premium European maker, and its finishing was no worse than that of Agfa or Ilford - by the early sixties that rubber stamped backing and hand wrap is positively out of line for a Ferrania-packed film.

Most makers sold low-grade batches in (second and third world) markets where price was more critical than quality or branding, and local finishers somewhere far, far away might have screwed up the name (and used packaging with pre-war standards). If sold anywhere near Italy, this is more likely to be a knock-off, possibly by some lesser Italian brand (or some Italian importer of Soviet films).