Identifying 35mm "Eastman 18" film mf ca. 1989

[Joe Galloy]

I've come across a few bulk loaded rolls of mystery B&W film. The guy I got them from thought that they were Tech Pan, although the unexposed film does not resemble unexposed Tech Pan. There are no frame markings, and about every 18 inches, it is marked "Eastman 18." It is also marked "Safety Film" and has a symbolic date code that would place it in 1989 (x+Δ). I don't think it's substantially older (that is, 1960s or earlier seems a bit unlikely - I've handled films that age before and this stuff is in relatively good shape). Based on the shape of the sprocket holes, and the Eastman brand, I'm assuming that it's a cine film.

Using the hypothesis that it was Tech Pan, I exposed several frames at EI25, and using a gray card, I took test shots of the card at Zones I-V. I used Caffenol-C-L to develop, 14 min at 70 degrees F. After developing, everything was clearly underexposed (and also underdeveloped). In my test shots, Zones I and II failed to show, suggesting an EI of 6 would be more appropriate. The base has a slightly rosy hue; I didn't use any hypo clear. Next time, I'll probably stand develop in HC-110 and see if there is any difference.

Any ideas regarding this stuff? I couldn't find anything remotely similar with various online searches.

 

[AgX]

Cine film comes in both versions, BH and KS holes. Still film only with KS holes.

In your case I assume it is a cine intermediate film.

 

[Joe Galloy]

The holes are indeed KS holes.

 

[Gerald C Koch]

I've come across a few bulk loaded rolls of mystery B&W film. The guy I got them from thought that they were Tech Pan, although the unexposed film does not resemble unexposed Tech Pan. There are no frame markings, and about every 18 inches, it is marked "Eastman 18." It is also marked "Safety Film" and has a symbolic date code that would place it in 1989 (x+Δ). I don't think it's substantially older (that is, 1960s or earlier seems a bit unlikely - I've handled films that age before and this stuff is in relatively good shape). Based on the shape of the sprocket holes, and the Eastman brand, I'm assuming that it's a cine film.

Using the hypothesis that it was Tech Pan, I exposed several frames at EI25, and using a gray card, I took test shots of the card at Zones I-V. I used Caffenol-C-L to develop, 14 min at 70 degrees F. After developing, everything was clearly underexposed (and also underdeveloped). In my test shots, Zones I and II failed to show, suggesting an EI of 6 would be more appropriate. The base has a slightly rosy hue; I didn't use any hypo clear. Next time, I'll probably stand develop in HC-110 and see if there is any difference.

Any ideas regarding this stuff? I couldn't find anything remotely similar with various online searches.

I agree that it is probably an intermediate film. Sadly it's too slow for in-camera use and probably needs a special developer. It might be fun to play with but not for serious work.

 

[Joe Galloy]

I agree that it is probably an intermediate film. Sadly it's too slow for in-camera use and probably needs a special developer. It might be fun to play with but not for serious work.

Thanks for the reply. I think the slow speed may be the reason someone thought it was Tech Pan. I'll try shooting with a tripod and see what kind of results I get.

 

[Joe Galloy]

I have a pretty good idea of this film's identity. Kodak kindly reached out to me and helped to tentatively identify it as a special-order Ektachrome used for duplication. Alternately, it could be a false-color infrared variant of Ektachrome. Either way, I'll likely just shoot it as a slow b&w film and develop at home.