Developing film inside of cameras privately bought

TBN · Sep 26, 2012

Interesting question...

A friend of mine, recently gave me a small plastic bag full of cameras, that once belonged to a relative of her.
Two of them were boxcameras, and they still have unfinished rolls in them. I asked if she would have the unfinished rolls back, but she didn't care, and I was told that I could process the rolls, or throw them away - she didn't mind.
So maybe I'll finish those rolls, or maybe I'll throw them away - I don't know.

SkipA · Sep 26, 2012

Here is a web site full of images from rolls of film found in old cameras. The web site owner develops all the old film he finds. There are many very interesting images. http://westfordcomp.com/updated/found.htm

blansky · Sep 27, 2012

In my opinion the film is personal and should be returned undeveloped to the seller. If they wish to discard it, it's up to them. As for developing it myself....never.

I find it ironic on a site devoted to photography, and it's value, that people would be so cavalier as to reply with comments like, "you bought it, it's yours" and " I'd just throw it away".

If you bought a used car from someone and they accidentally left personal items in the trunk, would you say the same thing.

It says a lot about you.

BrianShaw · Sep 27, 2012

Steve Smith said:
In what way? Anything on the film was put there before you bought it.

If,for example, there is child pornography or a murder scene on the film the processing folks will likely have the police meet with you when picking the film up. They will likely arrest and sort it out later. They are "required by law" to do that. I'm not sure exactly what law, but I know that they do exactly that. Not a good situation for most people, no matter how innocent they may be, to endure.

BrianShaw · Sep 27, 2012

p.s. Oops... Emil already explained this. Sorry.

BrianShaw · Sep 27, 2012

blansky said:
If you bought a used car from someone and they accidentally left personal items in the trunk, would you say the same thing.

It says a lot about you.

Probably, if they were not standing right there or nearby or conveniently contactable when the items were discovered... but I'm not sure what you think that says. There is something called "personal responsibility" which should include collecting one's personal items before selling a camera or car or house or boat or motorhome or mountain cabin...

removed account4 · Sep 27, 2012

BrianShaw said:
Probably, if they were not standing right there or nearby or conveniently contactable when the items were discovered... but I'm not sure what you think that says. There is something called "personal responsibility" which should include collecting one's personal items before selling a camera or car or house or boat or motorhome or mountain cabin...

hi brian

the OP was intouch with the seller, and maybe it would have been better
if he didn't process the film and offer her up the negatives or prints ...
unfortunately he processed it already .. but the seller
was nearby ....

after a few days thinking about it,
i spoke to hastily ...
rather than throw the film out i suggest
MAIL her back the negatives with a note saying that
knowing it was difficult to have b/w film processed i had them processed ...
i only suggested that he throw it out after the seller expressed no interest
in it, ( spam filter ? ) ... after repeated attempts by the OP.

blansky · Sep 27, 2012

BrianShaw said:
Probably, if they were not standing right there or nearby or conveniently contactable when the items were discovered... but I'm not sure what you think that says. There is something called "personal responsibility" which should include collecting one's personal items before selling a camera or car or house or boat or motorhome or mountain cabin...

It says you don't care about other people much. And YOUR personal responsibility when finding something that someone accidentally left behind is to return it. Because we all fuck up. We all forget things. We all accidentally leave things behind in different places we go and we ALL would hope that someone would be nice enough to return them.

And when you don't, it says something about you.

BrianShaw · Sep 27, 2012

... yes, as I indicated: within reasonable limits. As far as going to extraordinary measures, I'll leave that for some saint... whoever he may be. (insert "halo" smilie here)

BrianShaw · Sep 27, 2012

jnanian said:
hi brian

Hi John. I'm not criticizing the OPs judgement or decision, and I didn't read your postings ad doing so either. He's a big boy and can figure out his own ethics without having judgement cast upon him. As for me: One time I returned found film it worked out to everyone's happiness. The other time.. not so much. Experience has shown me that "doing good" can sometimes cause someone else pain.

ambaker · Sep 27, 2012

While legally the film may belong to the buyer, I suspect copyright stays with the original photographer.

Ethically, if I had contact info for the owner, I'd return it undeveloped.

As a coincidence I happen to have a roll of undeveloped film, from a prior owner, now.

I discovered the film in a camera that I have owned for over 25 years. (I can procrastinate with the best of them.)

I probably purchased the camera at a flea market in the early to mid 80's. While curious as to what might be on there, and whether or not the old B&W film still holds anything, I think I will just stick the exposed band on it, and leave it for display that way.

Developing film inside of cameras privately bought

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