Developing old Plus-X film

[chris00nj]

I found some old exposed, never developed Plus-X film from my grandfather's. It is probably from about 1970. At the time, developing times for old Plus X calls for 5 minutes in HC-110 (dilution B) at 68F, or 10 minutes in dilution H. (I normally use Dillution H) I realize that I need to change developing times to compensate for the age.

A few questions:

1. How much longer should I develop the film? I was thinking about an extra 40% or 14 minutes in Dilution H at 68 F? Does that sound reasonable?
2. Would using dilution B, make a difference with older film?
3. Is it better to use a colder or warmer temperature to reduce fog?
4. Plus X from this time period was still ASA 125, right? There is no film speed marking on the film canister.

 

[Mike Wilde]

You want a warm temp to battle fog, which builds with time in development. I would go with B if using HC-110 for the old film, and do a 'clip test' i.e develop about 2-3 frames (yes, you may end up cutting a frame mid way). I would start with at least 50% over the recommended time. If you have any pot bromide to suppress fog it may help, but will be a general restrainer and will force longer development times.

There are sites of guys who process found film that might have more details.

I have some mid 60's 120 ferrania pan that has long been frozen; it started life at about 100iso, and now acts like it is 12-25 iso. To get a good 'prints on grade 2' neg I develop it at d-76 full strength 20C for 18'. A contemporary plus x developer in this situation would be something betweeen 6 and 8 minutes. So don't be shy about extending developer times.

 

[nickrapak]

You want a warm temp to battle fog, which builds with time in development. I would go with B if using HC-110 for the old film, and do a 'clip test' i.e develop about 2-3 frames (yes, you may end up cutting a frame mid way). I would start with at least 50% over the recommended time. If you have any pot bromide to suppress fog it may help, but will be a general restrainer and will force longer development times.

There are sites of guys who process found film that might have more details.

I have some mid 60's 120 ferrania pan that has long been frozen; it started life at about 100iso, and now acts like it is 12-25 iso. To get a good 'prints on grade 2' neg I develop it at d-76 full strength 20C for 18'. A contemporary plus x developer in this situation would be something betweeen 6 and 8 minutes. So don't be shy about extending developer times.

I've actually heard the opposite, that warm temps increase fog, and cooler temps decrease it. Either way, I would recommend HC-110 dil. B

 

[hidesert]

I had some old unexposed Plus-X roll film expired 1980. I shot it at ASA 50 and developed it plus 30% in Microdol-X undiluted. Fog was not a problem but increased grain was which was why I used that developer. I also had some Tri-X of the same vintage. It lost two stops of speed instead of one.