• Welcome to Photrio!
    Registration is fast and free. Join today to unlock search, see fewer ads, and access all forum features.
    Click here to sign up

Kodak Film Pack - 1931

Landed Here

H
Landed Here

  • 2
  • 2
  • 11
Fujino Trail

H
Fujino Trail

  • 1
  • 1
  • 51

Recent Classifieds

Forum statistics

Threads
201,829
Messages
2,830,798
Members
100,976
Latest member
MarkWalberg
Recent bookmarks
0

Thorpelyon

Member
Allowing Ads
Joined
Sep 20, 2015
Messages
162
Format
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?

IMG_3009.JPG
IMG_3003.JPG
IMG_3001.JPG
IMG_2999.JPG
 

mehguy

Member
Joined
Apr 26, 2015
Messages
525
Location
Canada
Format
35mm
Wow this is pretty neat. I wonder want kind of exposures you can get with this film.
 
OP
OP

Thorpelyon

Member
Allowing Ads
Joined
Sep 20, 2015
Messages
162
Format
Multi Format
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.
 

Theo Sulphate

Member
Allowing Ads
Joined
Jul 3, 2014
Messages
6,489
Location
Gig Harbor
Format
Multi Format
Nice discovery! I like the warning sticker. Developing this film once you get the exposure figured out will be interesting as well.
 

bdial

Subscriber
Joined
Jan 2, 2005
Messages
7,516
Location
North East U.S.
Format
Multi Format
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.
 
OP
OP

Thorpelyon

Member
Allowing Ads
Joined
Sep 20, 2015
Messages
162
Format
Multi Format
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.
 

Gerald C Koch

Member
Allowing Ads
Joined
Jul 12, 2010
Messages
8,131
Location
Southern USA
Format
Multi Format
Last edited:

David Lyga

Member
Allowing Ads
Joined
Nov 25, 2007
Messages
3,445
Location
Philadelphia
Format
35mm
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
 

mehguy

Member
Joined
Apr 26, 2015
Messages
525
Location
Canada
Format
35mm
While I think it would be really cool shoot, maybe keeping it sealed and unused is the best option. :smile:
 

Fr. Mark

Member
Allowing Ads
Joined
Sep 4, 2013
Messages
121
Format
Multi Format
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.
 

Fr. Mark

Member
Allowing Ads
Joined
Sep 4, 2013
Messages
121
Format
Multi Format
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.
 
Photrio.com contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.
To read our full affiliate disclosure statement please click Here.

PHOTRIO PARTNERS EQUALLY FUNDING OUR COMMUNITY:



Ilford ADOX Freestyle Photographic Stearman Press Weldon Color Lab Blue Moon Camera & Machine
Top Bottom