U.F.O ..... Unidentified Film Object

Hi all,

I bought recently a used Watson bulk loader, and discovered quickly (during the opening in daylight ) that there was already a good meterage of bulk film in it !

I am afraid that most part is now exposed, but maybe some bits stay usable for test purpose or anything else.

So, I cut the first meter of film (in darkroom) and developped it in Ilfotec DDX (because it was handy in my lab), for 7 minutes (random choice), to see what happens.

As predictable, major part of the meter was blackened by daylight, but the end seems to be usable, although foggy (incomplete developping ?).

This film have no inscription or code in it (often the case with bulk film, I know), and seems to have a clear base.

So, my questions are :
- Is a clue can be existing to identify (at least manufacturer) a roll of bulk film ?
- What is the most "generic" developper/time I could use as a test basis, or should I start a great try/error campaign ?

Thanks you for any thoughts.

Best regards,

Raphael


P.S : Sorry for the title, could'nt resist

Could you describe the color and "sheen" of the film, both before and after development, or maybe post a snapshot of it? Many films have distinctive colors from their various coatings, so this could be a clue.

I don't know what films do and do not have markings in bulk form, except for a handful from personal experience:

• Kodak T-Max 100 has markings with both the brand/type and frame numbers.
• Arista Pro 50 (rebadged Ilford Pan F+ sold by Freestyle) has no brand/type markings, but has very faint frame numbers.
• Arista.EDU Ultra (rebadged Fomapan) 400 has no markings whatsoever, either brand/type or frame numbers.
• Fomapan 200 has no markings whatsoever, either brand/type or frame numbers.

Thanks for your reply, srs5694.

srs5694 said:

Could you describe the color and "sheen" of the film, both before and after development, or maybe post a snapshot of it? Many films have distinctive colors from their various coatings, so this could be a clue.

Click to expand...

Yes, maybe I should started by this :

Undeveloped film is, on the internal side, something between navy grey and greenish grey. On the external side, it is dark brown.

Developped film is "anthracit grey" (transparent, of course) with a greenish hue. I am not sure to describe faithfully theses colors.

I don't know what films do and do not have markings in bulk form, except for a handful from personal experience:

• Kodak T-Max 100 has markings with both the brand/type and frame numbers.
• Arista Pro 50 (rebadged Ilford Pan F+ sold by Freestyle) has no brand/type markings, but has very faint frame numbers.
• Arista.EDU Ultra (rebadged Fomapan) 400 has no markings whatsoever, either brand/type or frame numbers.
• Fomapan 200 has no markings whatsoever, either brand/type or frame numbers.

Click to expand...

Thanks for your list, it is a good starting point. I confirm, there is no marking for Fomapan 400, I have a bulk roll (under Foma brand). I can add to the list :

* Agfa APX -100 has markings with brand, type and numbers.

Thanks you again.

Regards,

Raphaël

P.S : BTW, it is funny you live currently in Woonsocket, since I have cousins (from a distant family branch) who are here !

New test

Just in case of it rings a bell to someone, (and to try keeping this thread afloat under the flood of other subject, too ), I tried developping my mystery film in Rodinal (1+25), and added the opportunity to test my Jobo CPA processor (Time = 6m45s)

Another clue : this film has anti-halation layer, since used Rodinal get a very dark and beautiful violet color. ! Otherwise developped film show the same greenish tint.

Best regards,

Raphael