??? and Verichrome (Pan?)

[mfohl]

Hello Folks, I process film for a local photo shop, and I ran into these two beauties. One of them is an old 127 Verichrome film (without the Pan), and the other looks like it is IA- FPK in a 116 size. Any idea how I might develop these? Massive Dev Chart only lists Verichrome Pan, and there is no listing for the other one.

I only have one roll each, so I can't test. Anybody out there have a clue? I can only guess, and if there's a better alternative, I'll do that.

Thanks!

-- Mark

 

[keenmaster486]

The "Verichrome" without the Pan means it's the earlier orthochromatic film, only sensitive to blue and green light. So you can develop that one under a safelight!

The other one I have no idea about.

The 127 Verichrome doesn't appear to say "exposed" on it, though - how do you know it's exposed?

 

[Gerald C Koch]

You can develop the ortho film by inspection with really any developer. The red safe light should be rather dim. Allow your eyes to become accommodated to the dim light before you start. Remember to check development from the back side (base) of the film or it will turn out under developed..

 

[Craig]

You can test if you're willing to sacrifice a frame. I'd cut off about the first 2" of the roll and develop that. I'd also do it in complete darkness, as I wouldn't trust that it was ortho.

I have a Kodak booklet on B&W film from 1967 and it says to develop Verichrome for 7 min @20C in D76. No idea about the other one, but I'd try a similar time.

 

[mfohl]

The 127 Verichrome doesn't appear to say "exposed" on it, though - how do you know it's exposed?

Interesting. I'll call the photo store guy and ask him if he still wants to develop it. The label looks pretty straight, like it was put on in a factory. Which it would be if the film wasn't exposed.

 

[keenmaster486]

Yeah, I don't think it's exposed.

Ask him if he has an old 127 camera lying around. He could shoot the film and see what he gets!

 

[MattKing]

I think FPK stands for Folding Pocket Kodak. The "A" probably means Autographic. Here is some information for another camera model: http://www.vintagephoto.tv/3afpk.shtml

 

[Sirius Glass]

Yeah, I don't think it's exposed.

Ask him if he has an old 127 camera lying around. He could shoot the film and see what he gets!

Yes, borrow a camera and have fun shooting the roll.

 

[nosmok]

FWIW I have never gotten great results with massively expired Verichrome; it does develop OK in Caffenol C but I have had to shoot it about 6 ASA to get a peep out of it. VC pan is a different story-- one of my top two expired B+W films to shoot, half box speed works great with rolls as far expired as 1965 , bloody wonderful in Caf C.

 

[mfohl]

Thanks for all your comments on this, Folks. Here is the bottom line.

Regarding the Verichrome, it was, in fact, not exposed. I didn't find this out until after I loaded the film on the reel. When I started to peel the paper off in the dark, I thought that if I felt tape, and not film, like 120 film, the roll would not be exposed. I felt film. So I loaded the roll. No tape on the other end either; must be a characteristic of 127 film. But after the film was in the can, I looked at the paper. Sure enough, on the spool, the gummed paper tab said "Exposed". That would have been on the outside had the reel spool been through a camera. At least I saved the development time and chemistry.

And regarding the big roll, it was a 116 or 616 roll, bigger than 120 film. Somebody on this thread pointed me to the Rescued Film Project. I noticed some big film in one of their videos. I reached out to him/them, then he/they pointed me to a video showing how to load that onto Paterson reels. It wasn't easy, but I got it. Unfortunately, there was nothing on the film. Eight minutes in HC110 dilution B with an ounce of benzotriazole. Completely clear. Better luck next time!

 

[Jim Noel]

The "Verichrome" without the Pan means it's the earlier orthochromatic film, only sensitive to blue and green light. So you can develop that one under a safelight!

The other one I have no idea about.

The 127 Verichrome doesn't appear to say "exposed" on it, though - how do you know it's exposed?

Good observation. It has not been exposed.

 

[Jim Noel]

The larger roll is 116. 616 has a smaller diameter spool.