Pioneer
Member
Not sure it can be done but any suggestions may help.
I have found a few rolls of film in a box that were loaded from a bulk roll sometime in the past. They were not identified in any way. The color of the emulsion is a light grey, similar in color to Tri-X, Arista EDU Ultra or Fomapan.
Thinking I could identify the film by markings on the film edge I shot a roll at EI200. Not knowing what film it was I stand developed using Rodinal 1+100 for 1 hour. The film did turn out with some very nice negatives but the film rebates are clear and no markings are evident anywhere that would identify the film.
The film dried extremely flat with no lengthwise curl at all and only a very, very little inward curl across the film.
The negatives seem to indicate that EI200 is a reasonable exposure index but I have no densitometer to measure the negatives. Scanning indicates the exposure may have been a little too much as some negatives did exhibit some pretty high contrast, but I have seen this higher contrast with Rodinal stand development before so am not sure whether it is a result of the exposure time or of the development.
I shoot a lot of different film types and many have been purchased in bulk rolls in the past. This would include TriX, TMax 100 and 400, Eastman Kodak 5222 Double XX, Arista EDU Ultra 100 and 400, Ilford FP4+ and HP5+ and Delta 400. I also have some Kentmere 100 and 400 but have not yet shot any of this in bulk rolls. I believe I have also tried Ultrafine Extreme 400 in bulk rolls as well. However, I buy and use a LOT of different film so there is a chance that it could be something else.
Being unable to identify the film is not the end of the world. I only have about 8 rolls and since it seems to respond well to stand development I can certainly use it. However, it would be nice to know what it is.
If it helps I have attached two examples, one from indoors and one shot outdoors. I hope this does not offend but I did scan the negatives. They were scanned pretty much as is with no manipulation other than to reduce the sizes to make them easier to post.
Thanks for any ideas that you may have. Additionally, if there are other tests I can try I am willing to give them a shot.
I have found a few rolls of film in a box that were loaded from a bulk roll sometime in the past. They were not identified in any way. The color of the emulsion is a light grey, similar in color to Tri-X, Arista EDU Ultra or Fomapan.
Thinking I could identify the film by markings on the film edge I shot a roll at EI200. Not knowing what film it was I stand developed using Rodinal 1+100 for 1 hour. The film did turn out with some very nice negatives but the film rebates are clear and no markings are evident anywhere that would identify the film.
The film dried extremely flat with no lengthwise curl at all and only a very, very little inward curl across the film.
The negatives seem to indicate that EI200 is a reasonable exposure index but I have no densitometer to measure the negatives. Scanning indicates the exposure may have been a little too much as some negatives did exhibit some pretty high contrast, but I have seen this higher contrast with Rodinal stand development before so am not sure whether it is a result of the exposure time or of the development.
I shoot a lot of different film types and many have been purchased in bulk rolls in the past. This would include TriX, TMax 100 and 400, Eastman Kodak 5222 Double XX, Arista EDU Ultra 100 and 400, Ilford FP4+ and HP5+ and Delta 400. I also have some Kentmere 100 and 400 but have not yet shot any of this in bulk rolls. I believe I have also tried Ultrafine Extreme 400 in bulk rolls as well. However, I buy and use a LOT of different film so there is a chance that it could be something else.
Being unable to identify the film is not the end of the world. I only have about 8 rolls and since it seems to respond well to stand development I can certainly use it. However, it would be nice to know what it is.
If it helps I have attached two examples, one from indoors and one shot outdoors. I hope this does not offend but I did scan the negatives. They were scanned pretty much as is with no manipulation other than to reduce the sizes to make them easier to post.
Thanks for any ideas that you may have. Additionally, if there are other tests I can try I am willing to give them a shot.

