Please ID this 5x7 sheet film

Thomas Wilson · Jul 16, 2009

I can't locate this in my sheet-film notch-code cheat-sheet. I have 5 holders, well now 4, loaded with this film. I just got the camera & accessories this morning and don't think the camera has been used or the case opened since 1957.

Any ideas?
Did I mention I'm also an idiot?

bdial · Jul 16, 2009

According to my '74 Kodak Darkroom data guide, it's Super Panchro-Press, Type B, ASA 250, it recommends 8 minutes in HC-110 dilution B.
It also says D-76 is not recommendedconfused.

Ian Grant · Jul 16, 2009

Unfortunately some of the EFKE & Forte films have that single notch, and it's only use is to tell you which is the emulsion side, so don't expect to be able to identify the film by it. Although I doubt those films were imported into the US back then

Ian

Thomas Wilson · Jul 16, 2009

Thanks all for your feedback. It's been too long since I was under the cloth and I have soooo much to remember and learn. I'll go ahead, burn a few sheets and go spend some time on the can.

Thanks again.

Thomas Wilson · Jul 17, 2009

Again, thanks for the information. I processed an unexposed sheet to see what 52 years of ambient radiation has done. As expected, the film is badly fogged and unusable. It makes me want to buy an old chest freezer and line it with lead. Seriously. 5x7 film is tough enough to find now, and it's not going to get any easier.

Nikanon · Jul 17, 2009

Usually when i see the triangle notches i think older kodak films

Sal Santamaura · Jul 17, 2009

Thomas Wilson said:
..It makes me want to buy an old chest freezer and line it with lead. Seriously...

Lead won't do you any good. Seriously. The cosmic radiation that fogs film passes right through lead. You'd need many feet of earth to attenuate it sufficiently and then would also need to be away from radon gas.

Thomas Wilson said:
..5x7 film is tough enough to find now, and it's not going to get any easier.

It's not really tough to find 5x7 film now. What are you looking for that's sold in 4x5/8x10 but isn't available as 5x7?

Thomas Wilson · Jul 17, 2009

Sal Santamaura said:
Lead won't do you any good. Seriously. The cosmic radiation that fogs film passes right through lead. You'd need many feet of earth to attenuate it sufficiently and then would also need to be away from radon gas.

It's not really tough to find 5x7 film now. What are you looking for that's sold in 4x5/8x10 but isn't available as 5x7?

Interesting about the cosmic radiation, I recall a NOVA program a few years back in which they explored a laboratory specially designed / built to eliminate any radiation, cosmic or otherwise. The lab was buried in the Suisse Alpes.

As for film, I have been looking, and indeed it is available. Just not in the same choices as I had hoped.

I was looking for T-max 400 and Portra 400 VC & NC. I was hoping to stay out of the low-end of the shutter speeds on this old (redundant) 8½" Ektar. I suppose I could give the shutter (Acme # 3) a CLA.

Is 5" roll stock still available in any modern emulsions?

Sal Santamaura · Jul 17, 2009

Thomas Wilson said:
...I was looking for T-max 400 and Portra 400 VC & NC. I was hoping to stay out of the low-end of the shutter speeds on this old (redundant) 8½" Ektar. I suppose I could give the shutter (Acme # 3) a CLA...

Those two are not currently possible. Last year Glazer's did a special order of TMY-2

Dead Link Removed

but it's sold out now in 5x7. Same notch code as your mystery film, by the way. The only 5x7 Portra I'm aware of is 160NC

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/260237-USA/Kodak_1355825_Portra_160NC_5x7_50_Sheets.html.

You're probably best off having Carol Miller give the shutter a CLAC.

http://www.flutotscamerarepair.com/

Thomas Wilson said:
...Is 5" roll stock still available in any modern emulsions?

I'll defer to Jim Galli and others on that question.

Thomas Wilson · Jul 17, 2009

Sal,

Thanks for the reply. Flutot's is already on my short list.

TheFlyingCamera · Jul 17, 2009

For faster 5x7 films, there's Fomapan 200, Kodak Tri-X, Ilford HP5+, and Arista.EDU Ultra 200 (aka Fomapan 200, just cheaper). If you want color, you could always buy Kodak Portra 400nc in 8x10 and cut it down.

Thomas Wilson · Jul 17, 2009

I think I see a Rotatrim in my future.

Please ID this 5x7 sheet film

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