Old Film
Mar 29, 2024 23:16:29 #
I recently found several rolls of exposed 120 color negative, and 35mm E6 film in a closet. I figure this film is at least 20-30 years old. My first inclination was to dispose of these films, but my curiosity is getting the best of me. I'd like to see what is on these films. I believe the film has always been keep indoors away from warm temperatures.
Has anyone reading this had a similar situation and processed the film? What were the results?
Also, can anyone recommend a lab or two in So. Calif.
Thanks
Has anyone reading this had a similar situation and processed the film? What were the results?
Also, can anyone recommend a lab or two in So. Calif.
Thanks
Mar 29, 2024 23:37:02 #
cjr1952 wrote:
I recently found several rolls of exposed 120 colo... (show quote)
I would develop them. The worst is you lose some money for the developing but not much because you would only develop the film and see what on them before making prints or scanning.
Mar 30, 2024 01:06:50 #
BebuLamar wrote:
I would develop them. The worst is you lose some money for the developing but not much because you would only develop the film and see what on them before making prints or scanning.
Agree. And that means avoiding mass market processing. Only smaller "artisinal" operations will return negs to customers. Mass market operations mass scan a continuous stream of processed film which is heading for the trash. The customer receives only the (second rate) scan files and (optionaly) prints from the files.
Mar 30, 2024 06:27:11 #
By all means, get them developed. Expect significant degradation of image quality/color but there is a strong likelihood that images will be recognizable and you might be pleased with the memories. I like the above suggestion to do a develop only to see what you have before you pay for printing the 120's.
Mar 30, 2024 08:34:34 #
In CA, reach out to the former North Coast Photo, now Great American Photo. They haven't changed to web address yet, phone and location details at: https://northcoastphoto.com/
Mar 30, 2024 09:24:08 #
When you put this thread on the Hog the first person I knew would be the masterful Paul Sager. He has an insightful experience developing Kodak CN400BW film
Mar 30, 2024 09:55:04 #
Scruples wrote:
When you put this thread on the Hog the first person I knew would be the masterful Paul Sager. He has an insightful experience developing Kodak CN400BW film
He does have experience with color negative and slides too but I don't think he does it himself. The OP films were color negative and color slide film and not B&W.
Mar 30, 2024 12:07:11 #
Mr. Sager is very talented. As for North Coast give them a call. Be mindful of the difference in time as they are located in California.
Mar 30, 2024 13:31:22 #
My last attempt with having old color film processed had bittersweet results. I’m not sure the processing was the best it could be. The negatives were quite thin. Using the same lab with fresh film also gave thinner than expected results, so that may have been just bad developing work.
Despite that, they were able to get nice black and white prints from the negatives.
The old memories were worth it.
Let the lab know it is old film. Push processing may help.
Despite that, they were able to get nice black and white prints from the negatives.
The old memories were worth it.
Let the lab know it is old film. Push processing may help.
Mar 30, 2024 16:53:19 #
My general rule of thumb is about 20 years with "standard" processing. The color neg will "probably" hold the best. I would take one roll of color neg and send it off for standard processing. See what you get. If OK send the balance of color neg and one roll of color slides. See what you get. Low speed film would be my choice for the tests. If OK then send all. If test pix are so bad that you can't improve with PS then develop in B/W. I use HC110 or D 76 for B/W developing. Other developers work well also.
Mar 30, 2024 21:31:24 #
KolorFotoBug
Loc: Massachusetts
cjr1952 wrote:
I recently found several rolls of exposed 120 colo... (show quote)
Try Lost Rolls America. Here is an exerpt from their website: The Lost Rolls America project opens the magical reencounter with the past to anyone who possesses unprocessed film rolls. Contributors provide one roll of film, which is developed and scanned free of charge by FUJIFILM North America Corporation, and made available back to them............
Mar 30, 2024 23:29:44 #
BebuLamar wrote:
He does have experience with color negative and slides too but I don't think he does it himself. The OP films were color negative and color slide film and not B&W.
CN400BW is basically a monochrome version color film. C41 IIRC. C41 is really quite simple to process at home.
Mar 31, 2024 06:20:23 #
User ID wrote:
CN400BW is basically a monochrome version color film. C41 IIRC. C41 is really quite simple to process at home.
I have done it both at home and at the lab. Doing it at home cost more and not as consistent. With a machine after a fine tuning period the result are very consistent and as you do the control strip every day you can correct it before it's out of control.
Mar 31, 2024 07:42:09 #
My first encounter with CN400BW was an accidental one. I purchased a few rolls when in high school. I was photographing for the school year book. I dropped off the rolls at a nearby pharmacy. A week later I picked up the rolls and noticed I forgot to check off the last little box that the film was Black and White. I figured the film would be washed out. To my surprise, the photos had a creamy sepia tone. The photos were softer and not as harsh. This film became my all time favorite. I can only find expired rolls but you need to modify the ASA setting on the camera now.
CHG_CANON gave me the secret to developing this film based upon how old the film actually is.
CHG_CANON gave me the secret to developing this film based upon how old the film actually is.
Mar 31, 2024 07:58:14 #
Dear KolorFotoBug: This is an interesting photography project. I am surprised that people forgot to send away their film from years ago. I occasionally shoot film but have my 35mm film developed by The Great American Photo Lab. I will buy my film from B&H or Film photography project or Shoot Film company. Thank for giving out the info to me and adding them to my repertoire!
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