I need help with old film

[krisb1981]

Hello,
I just got an old Ansco memo half frame camera. It came with film, but the problem is I don't know if this is color or black and white. No label since it sits in Ansco OEM cartridges so it was loaded from bulk at one point. I would like to develop it, but I don't know where to start If it's BW (90% sure it is) I have some DDX developer, I have some Rodinal, which one would you recommend and at what time?

 

[Kevin Caulfield]

Your best bet is probably stand development in Rodinal say 1 to 50. At least then you should be able to see the edge markings.

 

[Rudeofus]

Do you have any estimate how old the film might be? It might not even be C-41/E-6/B&W ...

 

[Huub]

My expectation is that fog will beone of your greatest problems. Get yourself a bottle of HC110 as this developer has excelent fog restraining properties and is very well suited for developing old film. Use a strong solution and the shortest time you are comfortable with to limitfog as much as possible.
Don't use rodinal nor stand development as this would only increase the fog.

 

[Kevin Caulfield]

I still stand by my recommendation.

 

[removed account4]

old newspaper trick
stand develop, full strength dektol 3 mins ...
personally i'd 1:5 dektol for 5 mins, i use old film all the time
not sure if the film i use is as old as yours though, but it should still work.
if you have ansco 130, you can substitute that for dektol, but use it at 72ºF instead of 68ºF ..

good luck !

john

ps. if it is c41 or e6 or whatever the color might be, or b/w you will get b/w as if it was b/w ..
if you have use caffenolC add 1 oz/L of either dektol or ansco 130 to it, and process it 2 1/2 mins in the dektol/ansco 130 1:5
agitate 1 min, 5 sec/30,
and 2 1/2-3 mins in the caffenol agitated continuously. the stain from the caffenol might help mask the orange / yellow mask
if it is a color film stock ... ( yes, i do this all the time ... i am not just posting nonsense )

 

[Helios 1984]

Post your results once you're done, I'm always curious about forgotten rolls.