40 year old film advice

msilvey · Mar 24, 2023

Folks,

I am new-ish to film developing and have spent the last couple of months getting used to Ilford HP5+. This week I picked up a 3x4 Speed Graphic and a box of a couple of hundred sheets of GAF Versapan 2831, Kodak Tri-X 4164, and Kodak Pan-X 4147 that expired in 1979 and 1980. Edit: I don't know if the film has been kept cold but if it had I expect that to have been long in the past.

Should I have any real expectations for the film? If you think it's usable would you all have any recommendations on developing it with Kodak D-76 as that's what I currently have access to.

Thanks!

Matt

MarkS · Mar 24, 2023

Here's a data point; recently I was given some 4x5 Tri-X that expired in 1976. Tests indicated about E! 20 or so. Normal development gave a dense negative that looked surprisingly good when printed... the low EI was to get past the fog level on the film.
So run an exposure series on each emulsion type; 1,2,3,4 stops over box speed. Find a full-range subject (sun and shade). Develop normally or maybe 10% longer. Make "proper proofs", e.g. min exposure for max black on the film rebate. Decide which looks best, go from there. Best of luck!

msilvey · Mar 24, 2023

Thanks, that's nice and concise! I'll run those tests and see where I land.

Paul Howell · Mar 24, 2023

As a starting point the Kodak Master Black and White Data Guide list Pan X at ASA 32, development time in D76 stock was 12 minutes at 68 degrees, Versapan was GAF version of Plus X, I recall the ASA as 80, a ball park development time I guess to be D76 stock 10 minutes. All Trix sheet film was Trix professional ASA 320 again the Kodak data guide for D76 stock was on the longish side of 17 minutes.

MarkS · Mar 24, 2023

I should mention that the reason for the speed loss is to get your shadows separated from the fog. Your negatives will be dense and take longer to print, but so what? And also that the slower films should lose less speed. But we are way off the map here, thus the need for tests. You may be pleasantly surprised!

redbandit · Mar 25, 2023

Or bea lazy man,, order a bottle of R09 and go semi stand....

Donald Qualls · Mar 26, 2023

FWIW, you might find that the Pan X has a higher effective speed than the Tri-X after five decades of storage -- because it's picked up less fog.

You can still buy fresh film in that size, but it's going to be pretty limited in emulsion choices. IIRC, Freestyle will have their .EDU Ultra 100, and you might or might not find FP4+ either there or at B&H. If you set up an eBay reminder, however, you can probably find a roll film back eventually (6x9 is close to half frame for that format).

BrianShaw · Mar 26, 2023

Put the ancient film on the shelf as a curiousity, or trash it. Or sell it for lots of money on ebay (or this forum). Buy some new film unless you like experimenting.

Kodachromeguy · Mar 26, 2023

I had amazingly good results from GAF Versapan. 35mm:

Expired Film Treasure: 135-size GAF Versapan Black and White Film (Abandoned Films 04)

Background Dear Readers, this will be a continuation of my irregular series about discontinued photographic films ("Film from the Dead"). ...

worldofdecay.blogspot.com

4×5 pack film:

Testing GAF Vesapan 4×5" Film Packs in Mississippi: Useful Early 20th Century Film Technology

Graphic Film Pack Adapter. The lack of a zip code indicates that the adapter is pre-1965 or 1966 vintage. Sealed Versapan film pack, p...

worldofdecay.blogspot.com

Enjoy your films!

msilvey · Jun 6, 2023

Getting some time again to re-visit this. The Tri-X has worked out decently well. I'm not pleased with most of what I shoot but technically it works. I haven't had a chance to test the Versapan as I don't have a 5x7 camera.

BAC1967 · Jun 6, 2023

I have some 3X4 Versapan, not sure when it expired. It did have some spots I had to clean up. I've only used a few sheets so far so the jury is still out.

Camera: Graflex Pacemaker Crown Graphic 34
Lens: Carl Zeiss Jena Apo-Tessar 30cm, f/9
Film: GAF Versapan Type 2831, expired 9Unknown date)
Developer: Rodinal 1:50 for 10:30 minutes.
Exposure: f/16, about 2 seconds

Winter Garden by Bryan Chernick, on Flickr

40 year old film advice

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