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Kodak Film Pack - 1931

Thorpelyon

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Sep 20, 2015
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Multi Format
Here's an oldie-but-goodie that expired in 1931. There's no data sheet in the pack. Anyone have any idea what the original film speed was?

 
Wow this is pretty neat. I wonder want kind of exposures you can get with this film.
 
I'm wondering that, too. Whatever the speed is, if I apply the minus-one-stop-per-decade-of-expiration rule of thumb, that's eight stops less than the original speed. So if the film was rated at ASA 25, I'd be shooting somewhere in the neighborhood of ISO 0.1, I guess.
 
Nice discovery! I like the warning sticker. Developing this film once you get the exposure figured out will be interesting as well.
 
It looks like it may well be nitrate base film (does the packaging say "Kodak Safety Film" anywhere?). You may want to exercise some caution in handling it. As a guess, the ISO speed is probably not more than 10, especially given the age.
 
No, there's no mention of "Kodak Safety Film" on the package. It never occurred to me that it might be nitrate based, but of course that makes sense. If you're right about ASA 10, that's puts my exposure rating somewhere around 0.075. Yikes. I don't know if my pinhole app will calculate that low.
 
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With inherently slow film the speed usually drops far less with age. Tri-X could lose four to five stops with the decades but ISO 25 film will probably lose a stop or two. This has been my experience. - David Lyga
 
While I think it would be really cool shoot, maybe keeping it sealed and unused is the best option.
 
The danger with nitrate films is, I think, hot enlarger or projector lamps and the film starting a fire. Nowadays cold lights and LEds should be safe, alternatively, contact print or scan. I think it is Nitrocellulose that once it starts to break down, the breakdown products hasten further breakdown. I really doubt an art conservator can fix "anything." I have had good luck with 1950's and 1980's B/W films. Not perfect but fun and as they were gifts, price was right. I might be inclined to use the film and save the box for a display.
 
Another thought, the first and last sheets maybe badly affected by non-archival packing break down. And, you could cut one sheet into several pieces and tape or magnet them into a film holder or pinhole camera to gauge exposure w/o using too much material.
 
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