Kodak Verichrome exp 1942

[Thorpelyon]

I just picked up a 2x3 film pack containing Kodak Verichrome (expired 1942). The accompanying data sheet says, "A fast orthochromatic film for general use." But there's no mention of film speed. Does anyone have any idea of what the original ISO was for this film?

 

[MattKing]

My 1940 Kodak Reference Handbook lists a Kodak Film Speed of 250, a Weston speed of 50 and a GE speed of 80 - all daylight speeds. The Tungsten speeds are 1/2 those numbers.
The Daylight Exposure Table recommends f/11 at 1/50 second for average subjects in Bright Sun.

 

[guangong]

Verichrome was a very pleasant film to use, especially for skin tones. It was the ultimate amateur film that went into most box cameras.

 

[pentaxuser]

As it expired in 1942, some 76 years ago I wonder what the EI should now be to have any chance of a decent negative? Once exposed, it might be worth reading David Lyga's current thread on film age-fogging and recommended counter-measures.

pentaxuser

 

[Thorpelyon]

Thanks, folks... very helpful!

 

[David Lyga]

Cut off a tiny 1 inch section, put it into the back of a 35mm SLR, expose at EI 8, use my HH film formula (3P, 4HQ, 3RS, 0 water) for about 8 minutes at 80F, pray. This might actually be OVER development, given that VP is still highly useful with age, however the AMOUNT of age here pre-dates even David Lyga by eight catastrophic years. - David Lyga

 

[MattKing]

It is important to remember that this is Verichrome and not Verichrome Pan.
Even on APUG/Photrio, there are very few people with a lot of experience with the older, Verichrome.

 

[kreeger]

Best of luck, post what you get.


AND... keep in mind - it says Orthochromatic... not Panchromatic like Verichrome Pan.
Instructions you dig up show how It can be processed under red safelight.

It will not have the tone response you are used to seeing ..flesh tones are pretty different with that type of film. Here's a description/example.

 

[jtk]

The Ortho version that you have was said to be especially good for male portraits. Might mean it diminishes the mens' red noses that were so popular in Ortho-era.