Agfa Time Machine Now Boarding Track 2

[Ira Rush]

Knew that would grab your attention….

Recently found some old, long forgotten exposed rolls of Agfa SuperPan ASA 200, 36 exposures.

These have got to be perhaps 40+ years old, can’t even vaguely remember buying these in the first place.

Anybody out there remember these?

Was Superpan by any chance the predecessor to Agfapan Vario-XL Professional, (chromogenic C-41 type processing)?

For those who don’t even remember Vario-XL that was a film that beside being C-41 B&W, you could even change ISO/ASA ratings, mid roll, frame by frame, and still get decent results according to Agfa (I got fair results by the way).

Anyway, back to SuperPan…Checked every piece of Agfa data I have, as to what developer I would use,to no avail!

Nothing is listed, nothing mentioned …nada … zip, like it never existed!

I assume I could use what Rodinal I have left, (my Atomal or Refinal stock is looong gone), but what are the crucil times if anyone remembers!

One last thing, and this may sound weird, the film has a strong chemical smell, almost like “Developer”. Yes I realize that 40+ year old film could possibly break down and have a funny smell, but other equally old (non Agfa ) film has no odor. Could Agfa have put some type of developing agents in the emulsion, as they did with the old Portriga Speed PE, and Brovira Speed PE enlarging paper?

Once again Agfa Superpan anyone out there remember this one?

Agfa Time Machine… All Aboard…

Ira

 

[Mark Antony]

Afga superpan supreme is listed on the data sheets on my blog:
http://photo-utopia.blogspot.com/2007_07_08_archive.html
Just scroll down click on the sheet to open a full size copy.
So if its the same film it could be a little older than 40 years old possibly from the 1940's.

 

[Bobby Ironsights]

Old safety film acetate base breaking down smells like the acetic acid it is, and the acid accelerates the decomposing process, and will degrade other nearby films.

 

[jim appleyard]

Old safety film acetate base breaking down smells like the acetic acid it is, and the acid accelerates the decomposing process, and will degrade other nearby films.

Sounds like an old girlfriend of mine.

 

[PHOTOTONE]

This film is not a chromagenic emulsion. Just an old standard b/w film. Process in HC-110 is your best shot.

 

[Ira Rush]

This film is not a chromagenic emulsion. Just an old standard b/w film. Process in HC-110 is your best shot.

Thanks for the advice, re: HC-110, but what time do you recommend.

(I really did not think it was a C-41 process, but just wanted to make sure!)

Like I said I know that old film emulsion could break down, but this odor, it really smells like developer, and Agfa was known to put developing agents in the paper emulsion, so who knows with this film.


Thanks to all who responded so far.

 

[PHOTOTONE]

They wouldn't have put any developing agent in film. I would try HC-110 dilution B for five minutes..perhaps do a clip test. before deveoping it all. It will be foggy, but HC-110 is your best shot at minimizing age fog.

 

[Rolleijoe]

Yep, I remember Agfapan Vario-XL, and have always saved my last roll canister of it. It was much better than the Ilford equivalent.

 

[Terrence Brennan]

Will the time machine accept other than AGFA? I can remember (1972) when 100 sheets of 8x10 SW glossy Ilfobrom paper was a measly $8.99 at the discount photo store near where I worked. Kodak Polycontrast was a bit more, at $14.10.

Tri-x/Plus-x/Panatomic-x were 100' for about $13.00...I'm showing may age.

 

[Ira Rush]

Will the time machine accept other than AGFA? I can remember (1972) when 100 sheets of 8x10 SW glossy Ilfobrom paper was a measly $8.99 at the discount photo store near where I worked. Kodak Polycontrast was a bit more, at $14.10.

Tri-x/Plus-x/Panatomic-x were 100' for about $13.00...I'm showing may age.

Terrence,

Sure, the "Time Machine" accepts all brands, ....

Now wait a minute,... what were we just talking about ?

Guess I'm showing my age!

 

[Paul Verizzo]

Knew that would grab your attention….

Recently found some old, long forgotten exposed rolls of Agfa SuperPan ASA 200, 36 exposures.

These have got to be perhaps 40+ years old, can’t even vaguely remember buying these in the first place.

Anybody out there remember these?

Was Superpan by any chance the predecessor to Agfapan Vario-XL Professional, (chromogenic C-41 type processing)?

For those who don’t even remember Vario-XL that was a film that beside being C-41 B&W, you could even change ISO/ASA ratings, mid roll, frame by frame, and still get decent results according to Agfa (I got fair results by the way).

Anyway, back to SuperPan…Checked every piece of Agfa data I have, as to what developer I would use,to no avail!

Nothing is listed, nothing mentioned …nada … zip, like it never existed!

I assume I could use what Rodinal I have left, (my Atomal or Refinal stock is looong gone), but what are the crucil times if anyone remembers!

One last thing, and this may sound weird, the film has a strong chemical smell, almost like “Developer”. Yes I realize that 40+ year old film could possibly break down and have a funny smell, but other equally old (non Agfa ) film has no odor. Could Agfa have put some type of developing agents in the emulsion, as they did with the old Portriga Speed PE, and Brovira Speed PE enlarging paper?

Once again Agfa Superpan anyone out there remember this one?

Agfa Time Machine… All Aboard…

Ira

If you have "the vinegar blues" it's no good. All of the negs from my father, ca. 1944 are junk due to the decomposition of the acetate. Fortunately, the prints are still great.

Salvaging the old acetate movie films is in panic phase in Hollywood. They did the nitrates many years ago because they knew they would decompose. Apparently they thought acetate was safe. Someone must have opened a can.....