Re: Using 828 film from 60's

["BIRKEY, DUANE" <dbirkey@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I don't know how many of you have used outdated film in the past.  A 
popular misconception is that freezing keeps old film fresh.  While 
frozen color film may not change color much over 5, 10 or 20 yrs, 
freezing doesn't stop fogging due to cosmic radiation.  Unless of 
course your freezer is located deep in a abandoned salt mine somewhere. 
 

With slide film you will find that not even the border will be truly 
black and will often appear more purple.  I developed a roll of 
Ektachrome for a friend last month that expired in 1984 that appeared 
that way.  Half-of-the time the problem with older color films is that 
no one can process them because the chemistry is no longer available.

With BW, your base fog will be quite high.  You can make fair prints 
but they will appear more grainy than you're used to.  Let's face it, 
20 or 30 yr. old emulsions aren't up to the standards we use today.  

I collect cameras (and am a bit envious of the guy with 53 stereo 
cameras) and it is certainly enjoyable to make images once in a while 
with glass plates, 116 film or even 828 etc.  But the quality is 
nothing to brag about with such old emulsions.

Duane Birkey Quito Ecuador South America    


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End of PHOTO-3D Digest 1214
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