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Old film camera

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(@wotsits)
Posts: 253
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Topic starter
 

A search recovered (among other items) an old film roll for a camera in use before everyone started using digital cameras. I should think most people recall the ones I mean, the black cartridges that went into the back of cameras which contained approximately 30 shots, that you then had to take somewhere to get them developed into photos.

It had been so many years since I'd last taken one to get it developed, but it appeared to be something the owner had wound up and simply never took to get it developed. I have no idea how old it was.

When we got it developed into photos many of the shots were purely black - I mean nothing. The 10 or so that actually had anything on them were very dark, cloudy and faded/poor quality.

What does this mean?

I suppose there are two possibilities I can think of and does anyone have any experience of which one is more likely
1. The film had in some way expired and gone bad - it's difficult to estimate how long the film had been forgotten about, but let's say could 10 years do this to film?
2. The film had been damaged by exposure to light - perhaps the owner removed it from the camera carelessly without having wound it down.

Do the symptoms described fit either one of these diagnosis?

 
Posted : 20/11/2017 5:29 pm
jaclaz
(@jaclaz)
Posts: 5133
Illustrious Member
 

Do the symptoms described fit either one of these diagnosis?

1 Yes.
2 Unlikely, the effect of light exposure on a film is very quick to make the whole surface clear (i.e. black, since it is a negative).

If the 10 "good" photos were the first few ones (i.e. at the beginning on the roll) it is entirely possible that the roll was (quickly) exposed to light, the last photos for enough time to become completely black, and the ones in the first few windings, being protected by the further windings were only partially affected, this same principle applies in the case of #1, the inner windings are more protected from a possible exposure to light of the cartridge (possibly inside a further protection) for several years.

But yes, impressed (non developed) films that are developed years after the "expiry date" of the film tend to become "foggy", losing definition, particularly colour films.

Film should (actually it is recommended) always be stored in a dark, fresh, dry, place (professional film is usually stored in refrigerators) as besides light also heat can compromise the resulting images.

Check this
https://www.rescuedfilm.com/rescued-latest
to see how "recovered" photos may look, this is a "typical" effect, foggy, grainy, light in one or more corners
https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e3cc3a_6ad4e1b282824760948cced59cb71b5e.jpg

There is however a possibility #3 the user really sucked at making photos wink .

jaclaz

 
Posted : 20/11/2017 6:04 pm
(@athulin)
Posts: 1156
Noble Member
 

What does this mean?

You better ask that question in a forum where you can expect people with the necessary expertise in film chemistry. Start by telling them the brand and type, as well as any lot numbers or date on the label. And perhaps also what company that developed the film.

If it matters, better get it right.

If it doesn't matter …

 
Posted : 21/11/2017 3:08 pm
MDCR
 MDCR
(@mdcr)
Posts: 376
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Photograph the negatives above a light board, then process then in Photoshop or similar capable program. Or scan them in a common flatbed scanner (worst option), then go nuts with Photoshop to recover the images.

After my father died, i used both of these ways to recover photos from some negatives that were never developed. I bought and tried the lightboard later on and it was much better.

Main problem is to find a way to keep the camera still above the negative, i bought a see-through piece of plastic and placed it onto two larger books which positioned the camera just above the negative and also removed any shaking that would have come from holding it in my hands.

 
Posted : 22/11/2017 2:24 pm
(@wotsits)
Posts: 253
Reputable Member
Topic starter
 

Photograph the negatives above a light board, then process then in Photoshop or similar capable program. Or scan them in a common flatbed scanner (worst option), then go nuts with Photoshop to recover the images.

After my father died, i used both of these ways to recover photos from some negatives that were never developed. I bought and tried the lightboard later on and it was much better.

Main problem is to find a way to keep the camera still above the negative, i bought a see-through piece of plastic and placed it onto two larger books which positioned the camera just above the negative and also removed any shaking that would have come from holding it in my hands.

Regarding the negatives, the two thirds of the photos that had nothing also appear completely black on the negatives - my question is what does this mean/what's the cause of it?

Is it the developer f'd it up, or is it as a result of the age of the film/light exposure?

 
Posted : 23/11/2017 1:33 am
MDCR
 MDCR
(@mdcr)
Posts: 376
Reputable Member
 

Regarding the negatives, the two thirds of the photos that had nothing also appear completely black on the negatives - my question is what does this mean/what's the cause of it?

Is it the developer f'd it up, or is it as a result of the age of the film/light exposure?

Could be, or the film was never used.

Like mentioned above, when it comes to expert advice outside the field of forensic there are people with better knowledge at other forums that can guide you to a better hypothesis.

 
Posted : 23/11/2017 7:54 am
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