[pure-silver] Re: OLD FILM Developing suggestions ????
- From: "Leigh Solland (on Chickadee)" <solland@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: pure-silver@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Thu, 01 Dec 2005 09:53:33 -0700
Speedy . wrote:
I am about to attempt to develop a roll of film found in a camera
given to me by a friend. The camera belonged to her mother...
The film is 616 size K_dak Verichrome PAN. I have no idea how long
this film has been sitting in the camera waiting to be processed.
Given that the film is old and was probably exposed at least a couple
decades ago, are there any special considerations I should take in
processing? What developer would you suggest, at what time and temp?
I have done a few of these, and I just keep it simple, with D-76 (or
ID-11) at 1+1. I give it a little extra time, maybe 10-20%. If you are
into chemicals, perhaps adding a little bromide would reduce fog, but I
haven't ever tried it.
I have had good success, at least enough to see what is on the film and
make prints. I don't expect perfection, but on the other hand, most of
these old snapshots aren't very good anyway. The best thing about them
is that they will bring back memories of times and people.
Chances are that the film was exposed in bright sunlight, so expect lots
of contrast. And hope the photographer didn't shake the camera. My
grandfather's pictures are tack sharp, but my grandmother's, taken with
the same camera, are nearly all fuzzy, apparently because she poked the
shutter release instead of squeezing it.
One roll of 116 Verichrome that I developed was very old, probably from
the early 1930's, and it gave me no images, just a wonderfully strange
paisley abstract pattern. One of these days, I'm going to print it. I
believe that it was caused by fungus or some such that ate the emulsion.
Yum, yum, gelatin!
As I donot have a reel to fit this film I will be developing in a PVC
pipe capped at both ends. What would be the best method of agitation
for developing in this container?
Can't help there, because I actually have a reel that will expand to
116/616 size. Another poster suggested tray development, which I have
done with some 4-inch-wide panoramic film. If you use that method,
don't dilute your developer too much, because your arms will get very
tired after a few minutes of going up and down, so you will want to keep
the time short.
And please don't throw away the old film spool. If you don't want it,
please contact me.
Good luck!
Leigh
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