tca2267 Loc: Florida

I have a friend who asked me today if I knew where he could get some "Very old film"developed......I am talking "very old"......he just found the old plastic containers with the underdeveloped film.

Does anyone know where I can advise him to send this old film?
Thanks

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

Film? Size, type, black and white, colour, transparency (slides) colour negative prints?

Some old films can be processed by clip testing and compensating for speed lost by age of poor storage. Some processes like Kodachrome, E-4 or C-33 are no longer available.

There is some custom lab that can do someof these films. You goat specify to search one out.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

It does depend on what film / film format. I wouldn't spend a lot on it, or maybe do one trial roll (?) and then decide if those results justify doing more. I'd get scans done, with someone that returns the negatives too. When you / he knows what film type, see if TheDarkRoom.com processes that film type.

User ID

Unavailable color processes do not doom possible family memories or perhaps even broader historic value. All those films can be processed to black and white and very often the images are still interesting and valuable. The B&W image quality can be quite good.

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

I didn't exclude that possibility. Still to know what films are involved. I could even tell the OP what developers to use to monochrome process certain colour films.

User ID

It needed distinct mention. You made no mention, so now it’s mentioned and even encouraged. If you’re about to offer some specifics, thaz acoarst most welcome. My usual approach is not without some risk, but my luck has been excellent.

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

Here is a link to the information on old Kodacolor (C-33) emulsions. It's very comprehensive- a good read. I used someof his methods to salvage old expos film for museum projects and it work out well. That is if the OP wants to DIY the project. Seems to me, he just wants a recommendation for a lab. There are a few that advertise the service- depending on the film.

Here's the article
https://expiredfilmphotographer.wordpress.com/2015/01/03/shootingprocessing-vintage-40s-60s-era-kodak-colour-film-part-

Old Verichrom and Verichrom-Pan hold up well as to the latent image. There were designed for consumer use and have preservatives to accommodate folks who leave the film in the camera for long periods of time. I would process those materials in Acufine or ETHOL UFG if they still make that stuff. HC-110 Dil A wit texted development of about 25% work for me. So-called pro-films like3e Tri-X Professional and Plus-X Pan are aged differently in the manufacture and are best processed promptly. Witg age they can build up the significant fog. Kodachrome is kinda like Panatomi-X with dye couplers. Some images can be salvaged with Acufine or D 76. for monochrome results. Clip tesst are best!

Other chrome films??? Never attempt it. Best to find a lab with that experience.

If the OP does not want to mess around with the chemistry, this lab is probably his best bet- seems they are totally into it:

https://www.filmrescue.com/old-still-film-gallery/

You gotta love this image on the website- I haven't seen some of that stuff since I was 10-years old!

HamB

Several years ago I took a old roll of film to the local Rite Aid.

ELNikkor

Rapid Photo, Clarks Summit, PA (570) 586-1555, mixes their own chemicals and processed some of my C-22 print film that had been exposed in 1962. The photos turned out great. If the film is anything but Kodachrome, chances are, they can process and scan it.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Search for and contact The Rescued Film Project. I don't know the wait time but this guy definitely knows old film.
--Bob

Rhl0630

Rhl0630

Blue moon in Portland Oregon has special processing

drmike99 Loc: Fairfield Connecticut

Rocky Mountain Photo Lab.

RayofSunshine Loc: Nashua, NH

Try http://photosmithimaging.com/ in Dover NH, they have been developing film for 40 years and are still doing it today.

clint f. Loc: Priest Lake Idaho, Spokane Wa

Kodachrome can be developed as black and white. Apparently there is a black layer that has to be scrubbed of which is quite labor intensive. I’ve read about it but never tried it.