Is there a film edge signing database?

Graham06 · Feb 16, 2022

I bought a bulk film loader that came with a roll of film in it. The loader has instructions from 1956, and its box looks like it has sat forgotten in a cupboard for 70 years. Seems about iso 50 now, but I bet it was about 100 or 125 when it was new. seems fine-ish grain. 8 mins in hc110B, 6 mins was too little. The edge signing has _only_ numbers in little black arrow signs. It could of course be newish film. Of course someone had opened it in light, but after discarding a 4 ft, just the edges are fogged so no 'light piping'

Anyone know what it is?

Anyone know of an edge signing database?

AgX · Feb 16, 2022

Not what you are looking for... but interesting nonetheless:
https://marcusdaviesphotography.com/film-numbers/

No, I do not know of such database for still b&w films.

markbau · Feb 16, 2022

As I recall, Tech Pan was a funny one. In 35mm I've seen TP and on others there was nothing. I recall Kodak saying this was normal.

markjwyatt · Feb 16, 2022

Tom Philo Photography used to have such a reference. I cannot find it any more. Did anyone capture it?

I don't know if there is enough information in the OP to identify.

Kodak Film Number to Film Type Cross Reference Table — Tom Philo Photography

KPA40 · Feb 16, 2022

markjwyatt said:
Tom Philo Photography used to have such a reference. I cannot find it any more. Did anyone capture it?

Here's the last capture:
https://web.archive.org/web/20210227080349/http://www.taphilo.com/Photo/kodakfilmnumxref.shtml

otto.f · Feb 16, 2022

The number 43 is typographically definitely from a Kodak film, I can't tell anything more

AgX · Feb 16, 2022

markjwyatt said:
I don't know if there is enough information in the OP to identify.

Figures within an arrow seem special to me.

Yes Otto, the typography is special too.

This might by from same font:

markjwyatt · Feb 16, 2022

KPA40 said:
Here's the last capture:
https://web.archive.org/web/20210227080349/http://www.taphilo.com/Photo/kodakfilmnumxref.shtml

Thanks! I went to the Wayback Machine and could not get it to come up.

AgX · Feb 16, 2022

Kodak Panatomic X

got this signing:
https://www.mikeeckman.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/KodakPanX-1024x227.jpg?ezimgfmt=ng:webp/ngcb1

cmacd123 · Feb 16, 2022

I recall that the frame numbers were like that on Kodak USA bulk rolls in the 1960 era. the opposite edge generally had alternating "Kodak S'afety film and "Kodak (type) film.

mooseontheloose · Feb 16, 2022

I don't know of any database, but I wonder if this is something that could be done on Photrio - like a wiki or something similar that people could add to, but was its own distinct entity, not a thread one has to comb through to find the details. Film edge markings (all sizes), notch codes, paper backings for MF film, etc. It would be great if there was a go-to place for all of that info.

cmacd123 · Feb 16, 2022

mooseontheloose said:
if this is something that could be done on Photrio - like a wiki or something similar that people could add to, but was its own distinct entity,

Could be interesting BUT would likly need an editor. My experience is that film Marking tend to change every decade or so, Proably when a given film company wears out their packing and converting machinery, and so builds (or buys) a new setup, and in the process changes the way they put edge code on the film.

That eqipment is also sometimes used by another company, or is sold on. (the current Ilford machine was made by AGFA, and I am given to understand that Previous Ilford machines were likely made in cooperation with AGFA.) KOdak is another special case as their were at least 4 locations packing film for most of the time (Rochester, Toronto, London, and france _plus posibly others) and each loction made their own machines, (except for possibly toronto)

some things are common, the arrow on Kodak film by the frame number indicating which side was the emulsion side. The tendency for European film to use a Number from 0 up to 88 every 4 perforations, compared to 00 to 37 every 8 perforations for packed 35mm, and 44 down to 1 for Kodak Bulk film.

BAC1967 · Feb 17, 2022

Kodak and Dupont had date codes on movie film but it wouldn’t tell you what kind of film it was.

https://www.filmpreservation.org/userfiles/image/PDFs/fpg_10.pdf

Graham06 · Feb 17, 2022

Thanks all who replied. After the Kodak typography and Panatomic X suggestions, I went back and looked again and discovered "KODAK SAFETY FILM" and "KODAK TRI X PAN" peeking out the fog of a fogged edge. So that answers that.

Is there a film edge signing database?

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