Developing old film question (again)

[OptiKen]

I've been lucky developing some old film that I've found in used cameras. I've also been unlucky having some rolls where nothing 'developed'.
Recently I acquired a camera with an exposed roll of Kodak c-41 color film in 127 format. Naturally, I've no idea how it was stored or if the camera back was opened without the film being completely wound onto the take up reel, etc.
Will I increase my odds of success by trying to develop it in B&W chemicals or would I have the same odds of success using C-41 chemicals?

 

[pdeeh]

it's a lottery either way. take your pick.

but to muddy the
waters further, you could develop as bw, and if you get a decent image, then use a rehal bleach and develop again in c41 for colour

 

[Alan W]

I don't understand how you would increase the odds by developing in B&W chemicals.Wouldnt it just be better to develop in C41?What is on the film,is on the film,chemistry shouldn't matter,right?

 

[pdeeh]

It could make a difference inasmuch as the dyes and dye couplers could have deteriorated so that the images got from a C41 process are of low quality, while the silver halides in the film are very likely to have been stable, albeit have fogged somewhat.

But making a judgement in advance without at least some knowledge of how the film has been stored all this time is where it turns into a lottery. People report getting excellent results from old found colour films. Not sure how many people bother to report failures of course.

fwiw i developed a roll of 127 kodak CN film found in an old kodak camera and got passable images.

To repeat - pick a process and see.If It's not your film, and you have no idea whats on it, what do you have to lose if it doesn't turn out ok?

 

[bvy]

You could clip test the film just to see if the emulsion is stable and responds to developer. From there, you can gauge a time and temperature to process.

 

[andrewf]

Funny you should post this. I found some old films when I was at Mum's place a while back cleaning up. They were from the early 90s and I had no idea if there was even anything on there. Got them developed and they came out very very thin. Images were scanned and look like crap, but they're there. I just took them to a local lab who are known to do a decent job and got them to do a basic C41 process and scan.