Tri-X pan professional TXP 523 - what is this??

tkamiya · Aug 10, 2012

I just acquired a mystery.

Just recently, I purchased two packs of well-expired what I thought was a regular sheet film. Got them and took it to my darkroom to examine....

What's in the light proof envelope is a pack, not sheets of film. Apparently, this is a pack of sheets of film with paper tabs attached to them.

On box, it says Kodak Tri-X pan professional, 16 exposures TXP 523 FILM PACK, CAT 140 3534

There seem to be very little known about this film....

Since this is a pack, does that mean I can take this pack out of the light proof back and examine it under normal light? Is there a way to take sheets out of the pack without destroying the whole thing? Since I cannot "see" what I have, there's no way to really explore my options.

I'm thinking someone here on APUG land knows??

MartinP · Aug 10, 2012

Presumably it works like this link? The film is on a thinner base and needs an adapter to hold the pack in place of the DDS apparently. I have only ever used normal sheets so have no further insights to offer.

tkamiya · Aug 10, 2012

Yes, I saw that link... and another one by the same person..... and that's pretty much the only info I can find on it so far.

removed account4 · Aug 10, 2012

hey there

you might like this link
http://www.largeformatphotography.i...-Some-observations-on-old-Kodak-4x5-pack-film
but to use the film, you need a film pack adapter .. they used to be given away for free, i think i gave mine away or i would just mail it to you
people seem to be grabbing up the film packadapters and converting them to wet plate holders ...
if i come across one, i'll send you a note -

john

mopar_guy · Aug 10, 2012

That is "Film Pack". Film Pack is roll film cut into sheets and packaged in a metal cartridge with a backing paper for each sheet. Film Pack was one of the original ways to carry more shots in a compact format. Originally the packs had twelve sheets of film packaged in a way that was roughly the same size as one double sided film holder. Later they were increased to sixteen sheet packs. There were also other formats available. The packs for 2-1/4 x 3-1/4 were "520" and the packs for 3-1/4 x 4-1/4 were "518" and the 4x5 size was "523". I have seen Film Packs in Tri-X, Plus-X, Super-XX, Verichrome and Verichrome Pan.

nexus757 · Aug 10, 2012

Kodak was making 4x5 Tri-X film packs well into the 90s. I still have a holder for them to fit a Graflex Crown Graphic.

tkamiya · Aug 10, 2012

I see....

Seems I misjudged the item. I was looking for 4x5 film, not 2 1/4" width....
Oh well.

Thanks everybody for helping out.

mopar_guy · Aug 10, 2012

523 is 4x5. Get a film pack adapter for your camera and you are in business. The film pack should be wrapped in foil and you unwrap it and put the metal cartridge in the film pack adapter. The first paper tab is the safety paper for loading and you pull the paper tab out which uncovers sheet #1 in the pack. After each exposure, replace the darkslide and pull the tab for the sheet that you just exposed and the exposed sheet is moved to the back of the pack and the next sheet is ready for exposure. After the film has all been exposed you open the pack in the darkroom and you can process the film. Remember that the film base is thinner that regular sheet film.

bdial · Aug 10, 2012

The pack is daylight loadable, it has a protective sleeve you pull out once it's in the adapter, similar to Polaroid/Fuji pack films if you're familiar with those.
From Mopar_guy's info it sounds like you do have a 4x5 pack. But as John said, you need a film pack adapter. The sheets inside the pack are slightly larger than standard 4x5 sheets, and they are thinner, the same thickness as roll film. If you were determined, you could probably remove the film and with some trimming put the sheets into standard holders, though flatness would probably be a problem.
If you put it up for sale, you'd probably get buyers, how old is it?

mopar_guy · Aug 10, 2012

Here is a thread on film packs:

http://graflex.org/helpboard/viewtopic.php?t=2464&highlight=filmpack

David A. Goldfarb · Aug 10, 2012

Also, there will be paper attached to each sheet. Try to peel it off cleanly, so you won't have little bits of paper floating in the developer. Don't ask me how I know this.

You can process in trays or the Nikor tank. I think the hangers for pack film are slightly curved. They are different from sheet film hangers.

tkamiya · Aug 10, 2012

Well...

I really want to shoot these film but with my Kodak 3A folding camera. I'll have to take this apart and hand-load the sheet. If there is a safety paper on the pack, is it safe to open the light shield plastic bag in normal lighting condition?

(of course, I'll do the surgery and loading in complete darkness....)

mopar_guy · Aug 10, 2012

tkamiya said:
Well...

I really want to shoot these film but with my Kodak 3A folding camera. I'll have to take this apart and hand-load the sheet. If there is a safety paper on the pack, is it safe to open the light shield plastic bag in normal lighting condition?

(of course, I'll do the surgery and loading in complete darkness....)

You should be OK to proceed this way. The sheets may be slightly different in size than sheet film. If you open the cartridge, do so in complete darkness. If it is 20 year old film rate at 100. Good luck.

nickrapak · Aug 10, 2012

One thing to note: The sheets in the film pack are on roll film base, meaning that they don't lay completely flat in a standard film holder. It also makes them a bitch to process, but that's another issue altogether.

tkamiya · Aug 10, 2012

Yes, I am aware, the film base is thin. I am fully aware it won't be a perfect fit. Then again, the camera I'll be using weren't designed for this type of film anyway, so it's no issue.

Looks like it's a GO!

The film is from 1979 so it's OLD. I'll still rate it at ISO 100 and see how it is.

gordrob · Aug 13, 2012

The nice thing about a Film Pack is that you can take one exposure, take the pack into the darkroom and "rob" the pack of the exposed sheet and process it. If you try this be careful of the sharp metal edges on the pack when you close the pack.

Gord

removed account4 · Aug 13, 2012

do you have the 122 film spools ?
if you do
you can set up a jig and cut the film down to the right width
and just tape it end to end, and expose it as roll film ..
that is what i do with paper... you won't even need to cut a mask for the film gate
... just put black tape over the ruby window --

have fun !
john

mhcfires · Mar 5, 2013

jnanian said:
do you have the 122 film spools ?
if you do
you can set up a jig and cut the film down to the right width
and just tape it end to end, and expose it as roll film ..
that is what i do with paper... you won't even need to cut a mask for the film gate
... just put black tape over the ruby window --

have fun !
john

I woish I could find a 122 film spool. I still have three or so rolls of VP122 from the last batch. Exp in 1972. they are a real bitch to process, so I haven't used them.

removed account4 · Mar 5, 2013

i know what you mean michael
i have a few rolls that someone gifted me last year
i'll probably shoot them in an autographic folder i have
and see-saw develop them standing on a stool with an open tray of print developer ...
i don't have any film reels unless my yankee converts to that size, but i hate plastic reels //

thats why i stick to paper, easier to deal with !
john

Tri-X pan professional TXP 523 - what is this??

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