Processing Old Kodacolor II (C-41) 126 Film

bvy · Jul 20, 2013

I was given a camera that had some old Kodacolor II, 126 film loaded in it. It was about half exposed. I shot the remainder of the film and would like to process. I've looked around, and there's mixed opinions on how to process this film; everyone's circumstances are a little bit different. In my case, there's nothing critical on this particular film. Should I just proceed with regular C-41 development? (This film specifies C-41, not C-22.) Or are there other precautions I should take?

Thanks.

StoneNYC · Jul 20, 2013

bvy said:
I was given a camera that had some old Kodacolor II, 126 film loaded in it. It was about half exposed. I shot the remainder of the film and would like to process. I've looked around, and there's mixed opinions on how to process this film; everyone's circumstances are a little bit different. In my case, there's nothing critical on this particular film. Should I just proceed with regular C-41 development? (This film specifies C-41, not C-22.) Or are there other precautions I should take?

Thanks.

Yea just process normally, scan it as B&W if the color is too bizarre (blacks may go green etc) but if it looks good, keep it, if its funky, scan as B&W.

~Stone | Sent w/ iPhone using Tapatalk

AgX · Jul 20, 2013

Kodacolor II was the first C-41 film.

nworth · Jul 20, 2013

Some labs will still handle 126.

If you do your own processing, 126 film is 35mm stock with special perforations and paper backing. You should be able to handle it with regular 35mm tanks and reels.

bvy · Jul 21, 2013

StoneNYC said:
Yea just process normally, scan it as B&W if the color is too bizarre (blacks may go green etc) but if it looks good, keep it, if its funky, scan as B&W.

Presumably you have experience doing this. How old was your film, and what developer did you use? Did you use final rinse or stabilizer? How badly fogged were your images?

wblynch · Jul 23, 2013

DIY C-41 the same as 35mm.

My personal results with old 126 benefited with additional 30 seconds in the color developer. The negatives still were off balance and slightly fogged but scanned well enough.

Some people like to develop old film at colder temperatures for longer times. I have not tried that with C-41.

Cut the cartridge open carefully for reuse. There is color 35mm non-perforated film available for those who enjoy reloading their 126 cameras.

brianmquinn · Jul 24, 2013

See Here

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BrianShaw · Jul 24, 2013

The Darkroom in San Clemente does 126 according to their offering of services without batting an eyelash.

bvy · Jul 22, 2017

Four years later (?!) and I'm still sitting on this film. Any last minute wisdom?

BAC1967 · Jul 22, 2017

bvy said:
Four years later (?!) and I'm still sitting on this film. Any last minute wisdom?

Yes, hurry up and develop it already!

bvy · Jul 22, 2017

BAC1967 said:
Yes, hurry up and develop it already!

Good response.

BAC1967 · Jul 22, 2017

BAC1967 said:
Yes, hurry up and develop it already!

bvy said:
Good response.

If you find anything good please share. I always enjoy finding film in cameras just too see if there is anything good on it. I have found some interesting stuff on occasion.

Fixcinater · Jul 23, 2017

I've just run some old Kodacolor through a couple of 127 cameras and one through a 120 TLR. The 120 was 400 speed, so not exactly what you asked about, but that was the only roll of the bunch that had any visible image through the massive fog. The other two were effectively blank and completely fogged.

I used HC110 1:100.

bvy · Jul 23, 2017

BAC1967 said:
If you find anything good please share.

Definitely! I've found some gems on found film...

Fixcinater said:
I've just run some old Kodacolor through a couple of 127 cameras and one through a 120 TLR. The 120 was 400 speed, so not exactly what you asked about, but that was the only roll of the bunch that had any visible image through the massive fog. The other two were effectively blank and completely fogged.

I used HC110 1:100.

I'm not holding out much hope. though I will be developing in C-41, maybe with an added push.

Processing Old Kodacolor II (C-41) 126 Film

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