If I send in this mailer, what would happen?

keenmaster486 · Jan 5, 2017

Let's suppose I snag this eBay auction:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NIB-VINTAGE...20-Exp-Daylight-Type-35mm-K135-/272509352330?

I contacted the seller to see if there's an expiry date on the mailer.

Supposing there isn't, what do you suppose Kodak would do if I sent in the film? After all, if there's no expiration date then they're pretty much bound to develop the film or at least do something to it. Maybe there's a caveat somewhere so if they don't have the chemicals, they do what they can and compensate me?

It would be an interesting experiment. In my wildest dreams they would resurrect their machines and chemicals and process my film

Geoffrey Swan · Jan 5, 2017

Museum value only..collectors item

AgX · Jan 5, 2017

Kodak even in the good old days refused accepting their very own processing vouchers I bought only days before sending in my films. They thus trashed all the Kodachromes from a unique journey I sent in.

Nearly the complete multi-week journey was lost, but also a great lot of money.

If that was their policy back then, I need not wonder what Alaris would do today.

railwayman3 · Jan 5, 2017

Kodak will send the film for processing back to 1956 in their time machine ?

Steve Smith · Jan 5, 2017

I sent a couple of 1986 Kodachrome films with process paid envelopes to Kodak in 2010 and received processed slides back.

I don't think this one has much chance though.

Steve.

railwayman3 · Jan 5, 2017

Steve Smith said:
I sent a couple of 1986 Kodachrome films with process paid envelopes to Kodak in 2010 and received processed slides back.

I don't think this one has much chance though.

Steve.

I also used up some old "1980's" Kodachrome in the last days of processing in 2010 (and the results were fine), but all were then current K-14 process. I also remember, quite some years ago, finding an exposed Double-8 Kodachrome film while clearing up an Estate. There was no indication of how old it was, but, out of curiosity, I posted it in its mailer to Box 14, Hemel Hempstead. Kodak returned the film, explaining that it was the obsolete K-12 process and could no longer be processed. (They added a note that the results from any Kodachrome so long out-of-date would be likely to be unsatisfactory, and recommending prompt processing of any film after exposure and also using before the expiry date. Fair enough. )

LAG · Jan 5, 2017

keenmaster486 said:
... so if they don't have the chemicals, they do what they can and compensate me?

If I were you, first of all I would ensure myself that the compensation is at least the same amount as the purchase, then if you get it back with no luck, give it a try to develop it yourself at home, or give me a call! I have a fridge almost full (& decreasing) of Kodachrome's waiting for more ... (but not at that price!)

Best

BrianShaw · Jan 5, 2017

"Return to sender" is what I'd expect.

I'd be very careful about assuming that Kodak (or anyone else) is "pretty much bound" to any agreement that is more than about 10 minutes old. Kodak has been through bankruptcy and reorganizations and whatever-else and those kind of things tend to cause "commitments" to expire. The processing commitment, I suspect, has long long ago expired. Especially considering that their entire processing network has been vaporized. If they do anything, it would likely be "return to sender"... and then have a good laugh at your expense.

AgX · Jan 5, 2017

If nothing is stated, today in Germany a processing voucher is valid 3 years. But it could have been 30 years in the past.
I never saw a voucher or bag with a date.

railwayman3 · Jan 5, 2017

The box itself says "Right reserved to discontinue the processing service after the date above", i.e. May 1956. So it would just be returned by the Postal Service.

It's a nice little collectable item in great condition, I'd not destroy it by messing around with self-processing. Even the little colored aluminium cans are very collectable....see Ebay. (Wish my Dad had kept the 100's he threw out in the 50's and 60's).

jvo · Jan 5, 2017

where's that darn wayback machine when you need it!!!????

Sirius Glass · Jan 6, 2017

Kodak would get a good laugh out of it and maybe put it in their museum.

AgX · Jan 6, 2017

What museum?
George Eastman House?

darkroommike · Jan 6, 2017

If you sent in that mailer it would probably end it's day in the dead letter file. If you're very lucky the Post Office will return it (but I'm not sure it's First Class, don't remember). Best case scenario you're out postage, worst case you've lost a roll of film. And read the small print on the mailer, I'll bet there are "lawyer words" that release Kodak from any responsibility to do anything with your roll of film.

AgX · Jan 6, 2017

Yes, see post #3.

(Those were the first and last Kodachromes I exposed. Guess why.)

LAG · Jan 6, 2017

railwayman3 said:
It's a nice little collectable item in great condition, I'd not destroy it by messing around with self-processing. Even the little colored aluminium cans are very collectable....see Ebay. (Wish my Dad had kept the 100's he threw out in the 50's and 60's).

I agree with the collectable part. But it's possible to make a collection with the outside parts (cans, papers ...) - I have that kind of collection as well! - and at the very same time try to get the most out of that/those films (without colour of course). Besides, you can buy two, and process only one of them if you have the intention to collect the film inside as well. Or only a part of it, if you buy one ...

For instance I have a 20 exp B&W roll (1954) in my fridge, and I have used the half of it some years ago to see what happens: I still have the can, the papers, the canister, the film ... & some negs & the prints, and if one day I decide to use the rest of the film, I could keep the rest.

Anyway ... what I was trying to say is that it wouldn't necesarily mean "destroying nor messing around" with anything, though I respect your opinion of course. I was only suggesting an idea, and perhaps it remained half-finished, I'm sorry.

Regards!

bdial · Jan 6, 2017

Aside from any of the other points raised, the last lab stopped processing Kodachrome a few years ago. So neither Kodak nor Dwaynes (the last official lab) can do anything with it. Long before the deadline it was well publicized that any processing needed to be sent in before that date.

Almost certainly nowadays anything with something like processing services included would likely have a lengthy disclaimer printed on the package that would spell out how long and under what conditions they would honor the offer. I'm sure Kodak didn't think it was necessary in 1956. But now, they don't have the ability to honor it, even if they were inclined to do so.

If I send in this mailer, what would happen?

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