Agfachrome 50s in B&W developer

[danlud]

Hi! I wanted to share this test with others and also to get a understanding if anyone else have done this and have any ideas how to improve.

I bought a Linhof Technika III 4x5 (9x12cm) LF camera and with it I got a small batch of Agfachrome 50s sheets.
The film is from the late 70's and should be processed in AP-41, which is no longer available so I thought I could try to process these as B&W negatives. These has not been stored cold so chance of success was not big.

So I loaded a few sheets into the film holders and went out shooting.
I measured at ISO25 and got a reading at about 15seconds. I then loaded the film and exposed it for 1 minute (to compensate for long exposure).

Then back in the darkroom i mixed up 500ml XTOL 1+1 in the tray and decided to go for a 8 minute development.

I developed the sheets, not really expecting any result. After 2 minutes in the fixer I turned on the lights and it seemed the sheets were not developed, but after a little while I started seeing a bit of contrast so i fixed for yet a few minutes and washed and hang to dry.

The negative is very diffuse but as you can see, the image is there and I attached a small scan of it just so you can see what it looks like (even though this is the pure analog workflow forum, sorry.)

Is there any changes in the process to get a better negative? More exposure or longer development time? Or is the film base just this color and nothing to do about it?

View attachment 294099

 

[Raghu Kuvempunagar]

I've not developed this particular film in B&W chemistry, but I've cross-processed colour films successfully using the method detailed here. If you can remove Carey-Lea silver layer as I did using @David Lyga's idea, your negatives will look a lot better.

 

[danlud]

I've not developed this particular film in B&W chemistry, but I've cross-processed colour films successfully using the method detailed here. If you can remove Carey-Lea silver layer as I did using @David Lyga's idea, your negatives will look a lot better.

Wow, first reply answered this 100%! Thanks!

 

[mohmad khatab]

Hi! I wanted to share this test with others and also to get a understanding if anyone else have done this and have any ideas how to improve.

I bought a Linhof Technika III 4x5 (9x12cm) LF camera and with it I got a small batch of Agfachrome 50s sheets.
The film is from the late 70's and should be processed in AP-41, which is no longer available so I thought I could try to process these as B&W negatives. These has not been stored cold so chance of success was not big.

So I loaded a few sheets into the film holders and went out shooting.
I measured at ISO25 and got a reading at about 15seconds. I then loaded the film and exposed it for 1 minute (to compensate for long exposure).

Then back in the darkroom i mixed up 500ml XTOL 1+1 in the tray and decided to go for a 8 minute development.

I developed the sheets, not really expecting any result. After 2 minutes in the fixer I turned on the lights and it seemed the sheets were not developed, but after a little while I started seeing a bit of contrast so i fixed for yet a few minutes and washed and hang to dry.

The negative is very diffuse but as you can see, the image is there and I attached a small scan of it just so you can see what it looks like (even though this is the pure analog workflow forum, sorry.)

Is there any changes in the process to get a better negative? More exposure or longer development time? Or is the film base just this color and nothing to do about it?



View attachment 294100

View attachment 294099

If you have a large number of these films, Agvachrome, then I can help you if you want to develop them according to the process (AP41),,, I have a special experience with this magical process.
But since you only have one roll, you've tested the right way to develop it in black and white.
My greetings .

 

[danlud]

If you have a large number of these films, Agvachrome, then I can help you if you want to develop them according to the process (AP41),,, I have a special experience with this magical process.
But since you only have one roll, you've tested the right way to develop it in black and white.
My greetings .

Thanks! I have only a few sheets so not worth the trouble.

 

[mohmad khatab]

Thanks! I have only a few sheets so not worth the trouble.

 

[svetoklik]

If you have a large number of these films, Agvachrome, then I can help you if you want to develop them according to the process (AP41),,, I have a special experience with this magical process.
But since you only have one roll, you've tested the right way to develop it in black and white.
My greetings .

Mohmad I have some Agfachrome 50s that is expired in 1985 year. Would you be so kind and help with developing?