Developing old film..

Ishotharold · Aug 20, 2006

I found an old camera of my mothers thsi summer with a roll of 620 with 8 frames on it. I would very much like to develop this as there are likely some famliy pictures on there that would be very fun to see again. First off, I assume I can put thsi on a normal 120 spool? then the question of what to develop it in. The backing paper is silver with black trim along the top and bototm, there are no markings to indicate film speed mfg (I'd asusme kodak?) or anything like that. I dont know whats in our darkroom right now but I will prbly go buy whatever developer is recommended by you guys any help is appreciated.

bart Nadeau · Aug 20, 2006

620 and 120 film are exactly the same - only the spool is different.

bart

raucousimages · Aug 20, 2006

Spool the film on to a standard 120 reel and place in tank with lid. Turn lights on and see if anything is written on the front of the leader. It might tell you what film it is.

When I have been asked to develop old, unidentified film I just go with D-76 @ 68f for 7 min. Some times it works. usualy it is totaly black.

Good luck
John

nworth · Aug 21, 2006

The question here is what kind of film you have. You assume Kodak, but that doesn't say what kind, and I do not recall that kind of marking on Kodak backing paper. It may be a store brand, or maybe Ansco. If it was a family camera, we can probably assume that the film was the standard amateur film of the day without going too wrong. How old do you think it is? You can try D-76 for whatever time was recommended for Verichrome of that age and see what happens. Maybe add 10 percent to the developing time just to be safe. You will probably get an image, but no guarantees about quality.

Thomas Bertilsson · Aug 22, 2006

I would say clip a small piece of the film off, and run that through the developing cycle. See if you can develop it in black & white chemistry with anything but a completely black base. It may be color for all we know.

- Thom

Chaska · Aug 22, 2006

I have used HC-110 dilution b successfully with old film, even c41/c22. From what I have read it has an anti-fog agent built in that helps. Usually run at about 6-7 minutes with 5 inversions per minute.

Ed Sukach · Aug 22, 2006

Well, first, I'd try a developer "of the day". There is no information of "the Day", but you would be safer with Rodinal than with anything else.

Cut off a small piece of the film. Expose it to room light and immerse it in the developer. Watch the tine it takes to turn complete black, and the "proper" development time will be something *slightly less" than that.

I've used that method to develop a roll of Ansco "Plenachrome", purchased at an Antique/ Flea market shop - with moderate success.

Markok765 · Aug 22, 2006

I use 2.5H in rodinal 1:200 stand with any film. since it works with any film, you should get something usuable with it.

Developing old film..

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