eureka new/old panatomic x film found.

alan doyle · Feb 5, 2009

hello folks.
my name is alan, the only member of the dead film society.
my mission to hunt high and low,far and wide on a quest for dead obsolete
unexposed film.
a kind of howard carter,without king tuts mummy's curse.
this is my first project and i have recently had a eureka moment.
on recent excavations in the central asian republics, i came across deep deep salt mine.
which contained intriguing treasure,one of the items i can tell you about..
enough classic panatomic x film to make 12,000.00 x 36 exp of 35mm film.
this been has been stored in near perfect conditions and will be properly tested.
i myself could use 200 rolls..but need to know if a market exists for the rest..
i know a few people here have used this and have fond memories of it's magical qualities.
some 100ft spools of 35mm and the rest 36exp..
this will only be available in 35mm..this will be a one time chance never to be repeated..a small batch has been tested at 32asa and the results were quite lovely.
at the moment i am gathering info,this film is in a remote far away location so it is not going to be easy.
the project could end up being a cross between the italian job and three kings.
i need to know if this is viable or should i forget about it..
i need general feedback not orders or how about this format or that..
as i said this will only be in 35mm cheers.

Tim Gray · Feb 5, 2009

Sounds interesting...

spoolman · Feb 5, 2009

Hello Alan:If it is as good as you mention,there are some that swear by panatomic-x as the ultimate fine-grain film.It can also be shot and processed as a reversal film.Given these qualities, I would think that there would be sufficient interest in retrieving this film to make it worthwhile.It depends on what the final cost would be.If your plan comes to fruition.

Doug

spoolman · Feb 5, 2009

new/old panatomic-x

Hello Alan:If it is as good as you mention,there are some that swear by panatomic-x as the ultimate fine-grain film.It can also be shot and processed as a reversal film.Given these qualities, I would think that there would be sufficient interest in retrieving this film to make it worthwhile.It depends on what the final cost would be if your plan comes to fruition.

Doug

wogster · Feb 5, 2009

alan doyle said:
hello folks.
my name is alan, the only member of the dead film society.
my mission to hunt high and low,far and wide on a quest for dead obsolete
unexposed film.
a kind of howard carter,without king tuts mummy's curse.
this is my first project and i have recently had a eureka moment.
on recent excavations in the central asian republics, i came across deep deep salt mine.
which contained intriguing treasure,one of the items i can tell you about..
enough classic panatomic x film to make 12,000.00 x 36 exp of 35mm film.
this been has been stored in near perfect conditions and will be properly tested.
i myself could use 200 rolls..but need to know if a market exists for the rest..
i know a few people here have used this and have fond memories of it's magical qualities.
some 100ft spools of 35mm and the rest 36exp..
this will only be available in 35mm..this will be a one time chance never to be repeated..a small batch has been tested at 32asa and the results were quite lovely.
at the moment i am gathering info,this film is in a remote far away location so it is not going to be easy.
the project could end up being a cross between the italian job and three kings.
i need to know if this is viable or should i forget about it..
i need general feedback not orders or how about this format or that..
as i said this will only be in 35mm cheers.

Any idea of a cost per roll and where it would be shipped from?

If it's going to be like $50 a roll and cost $25 for shipping from some far off land then it would be much less attractive then if it's like $10 a roll and $5 for shipping.....

alan doyle · Feb 5, 2009

operation futile mission...

it would be much less attractive then if it's like $10 a roll and $5 for shipping.....[/QUOTE]

this operation will be expensive as i will need 3 Kazak Mi-17 helicopters.
a couple of udt navy seal units and team of sbs and sas counter insurgancy film snatch squads.
and maybe a mobile hospital mash unit. we will have to fight are way out of the kazak republic. but i here this panatomic x stuff is worth it..
my team of international knuckleheads are prepared for the ultimate sacrifice.
coming home with no money and no film...

just kidding..
well thats why i am asking for information..
it will not be super cheap..but i do not think it will be silly money.
it will be unique and the first and only big batch of this stuff available this century..

2F/2F · Feb 6, 2009

I am so perfectly happy with Pan F and Efke that I would not pay any more than these films cost for expired Pan X from an unknown Internet source.

Christiaan Phleger · Feb 6, 2009

Count me in for a brick or two, maybe more depending on the price.

alan doyle · Feb 6, 2009

would not pay any more than these films cost for expired Pan X from an unknown Internet source.[/QUOTE]

unknown internet source..
it is in a cave..it will not be shipped via the internet.
i am not trying to set up a business here.
this post was to get peoples point of view.
if this stuff is fresher than anything else availlable it should be used..
this stock would not be aimed at those who are content and conservative in life.
this is for the pioneers the people with vision.
the people that want to see how good this product really is.
when nasa scan this film from old missions,they use a leica dsw700 scanner.
each 35mm frame ends up as a 1 gig file..
seems like a lot of resolution in that stuff.

Thomas Bertilsson · Feb 6, 2009

It sounds interesting, and I hope those that swore by Panatomic-X are jumping with excitement at the news. I'm personally not interested, as I only shoot ISO 400 film, but a couple of things come to mind:
1. Item location (i.e. where will it ship from?)
2. Cost - so far all we know is that it will not be either too low or too high. Is that up to interpretation, or? ADOX CHS 25 is $3.99 a roll from Freestyle, Efke KB25 is that price too, Ilford Pan-F+ is a bit more spendy at $5.49 a roll. If I was shooting low ISO film, I would never pay more than what I'd pay for the Ilford.
3. Samples? Can we see some results here that illustrate the 'quite lovely' results you've had, as your description could mean just about anything.

I understand that you wish to offer an opportunity to the diehards, and that's commendable.

- Thomas

alan doyle · Feb 6, 2009

pricing will be problematic at the moment a lot of variables.
this wil be one unique batch then it will go back to being an extinct ex 35mm product..
saying i can go walmart and get 2 packs of film for 2 dollars..
and i would never spend more i think does not compare.
an empty box of pan x went on ebay last week for 4 dollars,that guy must of been stupid he could of got 2 roll's of fresh arista film.
i am sure he liked the old packaging and the history behind the product.

Claire Senft · Feb 6, 2009

Howard Carter? Where have I heard that name before? Is he a relation to the creator of Billy beer? Is this enough quantity of film to impress a peanut farmer with the promise of being goober sartorial? Wait a minute. Please. Run this thru your spell checker. You are not confusing a Carter with a Crater ist you...ach but who am I to judge?

alan doyle · Feb 6, 2009

madam,
howard carter was a well travelled man.
a man with a sense of adventure,a man not content to stay in his home town or country.
a man who enjoyed being in foreign lands a man with a passport.
yes he was probably a thief a lier and a cad.but also a great adventurer.
may the curse of king tut be upon you..to those who talk of bear and nuts..

Arvee · Feb 6, 2009

I don't know, the tone of the post makes it difficult to regard it as a serious offering....

I think we need to see some samples and perhaps an evaluation by an independent APUGer to rule out a scam attempt.

Can you do that, Alan?

-Fred

PHOTOTONE · Feb 6, 2009

Claire Senft said:
Howard Carter? Where have I heard that name before? Is he a relation to the creator of Billy beer? Is this enough quantity of film to impress a peanut farmer with the promise of being goober sartorial? Wait a minute. Please. Run this thru your spell checker. You are not confusing a Carter with a Crater ist you...ach but who am I to judge?

Howard Carter was the person who "discovered" King Tuts Tomb in Egypt. The most important archaeological discovery in Egypt in the 20th Century.

alan doyle · Feb 6, 2009

I think we need to see some samples and perhaps an evaluation by an independent APUGer to rule out a scam attempt
-Fred[/QUOTE]

yes fred it's a fair cop i scammed you...i have defrauded you out of 2 minutes of your time.do you feel mad at me.
have i abused your trust.
i am sure the nsa are on my tail as i write this.
i am not offering anything apart from a question, is this worth attempting.
would people use it.

fred i am sorry you feel that way as compensation for your pain can i send you a roll of the all new kodak ektar 100..
i here the colours are just super.

Claire Senft · Feb 6, 2009

Well Howie has my permission to take a road trip with you dear lady.

Arvee · Feb 6, 2009

Not trying to aggravate, Alan, simply trying to authenticate the real value of the film you're offering. As an example, I purchased on Eprey a 500 sheet box of paper that was "tested and verified to be near perfect, only a couple of years old." When I souped an unexposed sheet, it came out of the fix with about the same tonality as a gray card!

As I said before, you are much more likely to get an enthusiastic response from members if you submit some samples to a member that possesses a densitometer to confirm fog levels/gamma ray damage or lack thereof.

Unless the film in question has been continuously frozen for all this time, and even then it is still questionable, it is highly likely the film has high fog levels and would be rendered useless and of no value to anyone.

So, back to the original question, can you supply some samples to one of the members to verify quality?

If your prize is in good shape, I am sure a large number of people will consider participating.

Again, not trying to aggravate....but, the time-tested rule applies: Caveat Emptor.

-Fred

AgX · Feb 6, 2009

But why waiting for some long-stocked? master- or other roll of Panatomic-X to be lifted from some Asian mine if the current clear-PET 9.5"/250' version can be obtained fresh from Rochester?

Or do I mix things up?

Or is that Asian roll already slit to 35mm and perforated?

alan doyle · Feb 6, 2009

maybe you should do a google,you will find people buying old unexposed rolls of pan x,with use by dates in the 40s,50s,60s and 70s with very little base fog issues.even when stored badly.
this is not the time for densitometers and gamma ray checks..that will come in time.
i believe salt mines have been known to be very good places for storing film and kodak and many archive companies still use them..
this is the original product designed for 35mm stills cameras.

keithwms · Feb 6, 2009

AgX said:
But why waiting for some long-stocked? master- or other roll of Panatomic-X to be lifted from some Asian mine if the current clear-PET 9.5"/250' version can be obtained fresh from Rochester?

Or do I mix things up?

You're right, and I was wondering the same thing. I mean, I have a 2000 ft roll of fresh panatomic x right here in front of me... but of course it's not cut and perfed for 35mm.

My simple suggestion is to ask somebody reputable like Sandy to take a roll or some representative amount and try it out. Or do your own tests and then release it onto the market and see what you can get for it.

alan doyle · Feb 6, 2009

i have not got the stock,i cannot pop down to walmart to get it.
if i had loads of rolls of it in london i would not of posted the question on this site.
i would of just shot some and given some to pro's i know.for testing.

AgX · Feb 6, 2009

What question, Alan?

You hinted at people paying a lot for outdated Panatomic-X.

You said the stock in question is already slit to 35mm and perforated.

So, why don't you convert it to 135 (or have it done), or cut it to short rolls and offer it?

Claire Senft · Feb 7, 2009

Has anyone considered that Alan Doyle may be but a dissed quise for Rachel Carter...she of bearded lady fame from the pages of Photo Tech magazine?

Sal Santamaura · Feb 7, 2009

Contact me when you've found a similar cache of 4x5...

eureka new/old panatomic x film found.

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