Mystery Film

Colin DeWolfe · Mar 5, 2014

So, I've been asked to develop a roll of 120 film. No manufacturer markings, no info from the person who dropped it off, other than the word "lomography" written on the envelope. Black backing paper which says nothing more than "120 film start" and then "120 film exposed".

Any guesses?

Alan W · Mar 5, 2014

One guess for Arista(Foma)-Black backing paper.

Sirius Glass · Mar 5, 2014

Just a shot in the dark, what color is the paper? Can you post a color photograph of it. Who knows, someone might recognize it.

Colin DeWolfe · Mar 5, 2014

It's black... Both sides. Just some gray coloured numbers in the usual places.

summicron1 · Mar 5, 2014

sounds like arista -- the asa should be on the white band taping it shut. If not I'd assume it is ASA 400-- 12.5 minutes in d 76, 1:1 and pray, but not too hard. It's ur best guess, worst case scenario it's really 100 and comes out a bit dense...

if the white band says "start," are you sure it has been exposed? The exposed roll of arista sitting here in front of me only says exposed on the backing paper and EXP on the white band.

EASmithV · Mar 5, 2014

Quite possibly Shanghai GP3. My girlfriend bought random film for me one time
Turned out to be Shanghai. Stuff is branded as "Lomography 100", sold at Urban Outfitters and other hipster stores.
Highly recommend Rodinal stand dev for random unknown films

AgX · Mar 5, 2014

Process it any way you like, to any result. And label it "Lomography". Will fit perfect.

Dr Croubie · Mar 5, 2014

I'd suggest Shanghai GP3 too, but the last time I sot a roll of this there weren't any markings at all. Just pure black unmarked paper, held together with a bit of white-ish looking masking tape.

Tom1956 · Mar 6, 2014

What?--eight posts now and nobody has chimed in with their Rodinal stand development scheme?

Simon R Galley · Mar 6, 2014

Are you sure its monochrome ?

Simon ILFORD Photo / HARMAN technology Limited :

Simonh82 · Mar 6, 2014

Lomography 'make' both colour and black and white film. Their black and white comes in two flavours the 100 speed called Earl Grey is Foma 100. The 400 speed, called Lady Grey, is TMAX 400. The film is rolled and packed by someone else using shoddy backing paper which transfers the dots and numbers.

If you can get the film on to a reel and then look at the backing paper it might give you a clue as to which film it is. I've only used the 400 and I can tell you that the backing paper is slightly thicker and fibrous than paper from any of the big manufacturers. It may not help you if they use the same paper for all their 120 film but if it doesn't sound like this, then it might not be the 400 film.

pdeeh · Mar 6, 2014

The GP3 I've used had a coarse black backing paper with vaguely blue, rather thin numbering and arrows & lines. the Foma I've used had dense clear white numbering. If it curls like it's made of spring-steel, it's GP3 ...

but as Simon (R G) says, are you sure it's b&w?

Mustafa Umut Sarac · Mar 6, 2014

Tell the risks to film owner before ruined it , it could be headache after all.

Regular Rod · Mar 6, 2014

Colin DeWolfe said:
So, I've been asked to develop a roll of 120 film. No manufacturer markings, no info from the person who dropped it off, other than the word "lomography" written on the envelope. Black backing paper which says nothing more than "120 film start" and then "120 film exposed".

Any guesses?

No need to guess or worry about it. Certain developers let you develop all panchromatic films for the same times at the same temperatures. I first found this with DiXactol but now use 510-PYRO or OBDSIDIAN AQUA as I prefer to make up my own stock solutions to save money.

http://freepdfhosting.com/3e906fe75d.pdf

RR

Colin DeWolfe · Mar 6, 2014

Simonh82 said:
Lomography 'make' both colour and black and white film. Their black and white comes in two flavours the 100 speed called Earl Grey is Foma 100. The 400 speed, called Lady Grey, is TMAX 400. The film is rolled and packed by someone else using shoddy backing paper which transfers the dots and numbers.

If you can get the film on to a reel and then look at the backing paper it might give you a clue as to which film it is. I've only used the 400 and I can tell you that the backing paper is slightly thicker and fibrous than paper from any of the big manufacturers. It may not help you if they use the same paper for all their 120 film but if it doesn't sound like this, then it might not be the 400 film.

Here are pics of the backing paper. Pretty coarse stuff. The sealing band gives no clue either. It's just black paper as well. I knew about the provenance for the 35mm stuff, but was unsure about the 120. Is the Foma a traditional coloured emulsion? If so, I can just cut a piece off the corner and if it's purple it's TMAX maybe.

Colin DeWolfe · Mar 6, 2014

Simon R Galley said:
Are you sure its monochrome ?

Simon ILFORD Photo / HARMAN technology Limited :

Good question. I guess I'll have to snip a piece off and see if it's orange.

Colin DeWolfe · Mar 6, 2014

Assumed it was the Foma stuff.. processed in XTOL. No markings on the film except those imprinted by the backing paper.

BrianShaw · Mar 6, 2014

Colin DeWolfe said:
It's black... Both sides. Just some gray coloured numbers in the usual places.

I seem to recall that Bergger matched that description. But my memory is vague.

Regular Rod · Mar 6, 2014

Colin DeWolfe said:
Assumed it was the Foma stuff.. processed in XTOL. No markings on the film except those imprinted by the backing paper.

What about the images?
RR

Dr Croubie · Mar 6, 2014

Yep, does look a lot like GP3 backing paper...

pdeeh · Mar 6, 2014

No edge markings but printthrough from the backing paper ... that'll be the GP3 "bad batch".

cmacd123 · Mar 6, 2014

Paper in the pictures is consistent with GP3 all right. MOST GP3 actually does have an abbreviation of the makers name in vary fine letters about twice in a roll SPMMC or similar as the name has changed a few times. it is so small it is easy to miss. (obviously only after development) Even if it is another Chinese film, treating it like GP3 is probably not far off the mark.

pdeeh · Mar 6, 2014

oh yes, I forgot about those edge marks.

Colin DeWolfe · Mar 6, 2014

Regular Rod said:
What about the images?
RR

Not a lot there. Low image density and lots of fog.

Dr Croubie · Mar 6, 2014

Colin DeWolfe said:
Not a lot there. Low image density and lots of fog.

You're hitting more nails on the head of GP3...

Mystery Film

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency