Found old film in bought filmholders

[ragc]

My 'new' 1943 Anniversary Speed Graphic came with six 4x5 filmholders. When checked in the darkroom they were loaded. The film feels dusty and has square notches. The camera itself looks like it had not been opened in many years, as it was dirty outside but very clean inside. Any ideas what type film this is? It may be unexposed, as the white flags in the filmholders were out. It may be fogged, it may be dead. How best to develop it to find out? If it's old enough it could be ortho...develop with safelight on? Advice sought!

 

[PHOTOTONE]

I would develop in total darkness. HC-110b seems to be the most popular choice for old film, as it is a very clean working developer that keeps age fog down. I would develop for about 10 minutes at 68f. Expect some fog.

 

[Changeling1]

My 'new' 1943 Anniversary Speed Graphic came with six 4x5 filmholders. When checked in the darkroom they were loaded. The film feels dusty and has square notches. The camera itself looks like it had not been opened in many years, as it was dirty outside but very clean inside. Any ideas what type film this is? It may be unexposed, as the white flags in the filmholders were out. It may be fogged, it may be dead. How best to develop it to find out? If it's old enough it could be ortho...develop with safelight on? Advice sought!

Probably Kodak Super XX. Do a bit of checking, the notch code should tell you what it is.

Great film btw...

 

[nworth]

Checking older documentation should be the first step. The film was no doubt part of the last load the previous owner made, so an estimate of when the camera was last used would be helpful. Even then, several films may use the same notch code. You didn't fully describe the notches, but both Kodak Infrared and Ansco Superpan Portrait used a single square notch.

 

[ragc]

I have to be back in the darkroom to check the notches. At tha time I was in a hurry and all I had time to do was notice that the sequence was short and started with a deep square. I will check tonight.