Found film, or film processed long after exposure

ChrisR

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I may have missed it, but I couldn't find a general thread for this topic. It's mentioned in various other threads, but it doesn't feel right to appropriate those threads. However, my idea is that anyone should feel free to contribute or ask about their found films.
 
I'm visiting my sister at the moment, and searching some old out-building we found the Box Brownie No 2 she used when a teenager. I had not realised that any Brownies used 120 film, but apparently this one did (6*9). When I opened the back there was a film inside, but after I'd quickly closed it and wound on, to find it was practically at the end. After a bit of jiggling, we got the film (Tri-X) out, and wrapped up in sliver foil, so I will send it off to be processed in a day or so. We reckon she has not used the Brownie since she got her first "good" camera... about 50 years ago! Given it's a Brownie anyway (fixed focus, fixed aperture, single shutter speed) we're not expecting too much, but I'm hoping for more than nothing. Will update later...
 
I'd have done that for you Chris. Might have been a kick up the arse to get back and do my own stuff.
 
Thanks for the offer, Steve, but I'll be sending a few films off to Filmdev anyway, so might as well chuck it in.
 
I suspect it'll need souping separately from other films. Check that they will handle it with care..
 
I bought an Ensign 820 last year with a roll of Verichrome in it. There were about 5 un-ruined shots on it, these being a few of the best.
Girl-and-pony by Andy, on Flickr
Baby-Elephant by Andy, on Flickr
Outside-the-Van1 by Andy, on Flickr

I'm thinking late 60's or early 70's.
 
The girl in the first and last shot could be the same going by shoes and socks, and the boy in the 2nd and last is the same.
 
I was given a Kershaw Penguin folder by an old lady whose computer I fixed. I found a forgotten roll in it and had it developed as a surprise for her. You can see the backing paper imprint, but it's not bad for having remained rolled up since circa 1972.

img002-2.jpg
 
I suspect it'll need souping separately from other films. Check that they will handle it with care..

I checked with Filmdev and they are reluctant to do it, thinking as you suggested it would need separate chemistry. They were also reluctant in case "treasured memories" got lost. Unfortunately it was an awkward moment, and I didn't think to explain to them it was a "what the heck" moment rather than treasured memories. They suggested http://www.filmrescue.com/ but I didn't like the look of their service (via the US?). Instead I remembered...

I'd have done that for you Chris. Might have been a kick up the arse to get back and do my own stuff.

Any chance I could take you up on that, Steven? I could wack them in the post, and if there's anything their, if you could email me a simple scan we could transfer the negatives back when we meet...
 
@ChrisR the reason they would have recommended Film Rescue International is simple: they are the best in the world at recovering old exposed films and those using obsolete processes, and if they can't do it then it's unlikely anywhere can.
 
@ChrisR the reason they would have recommended Film Rescue International is simple: they are the best in the world at recovering old exposed films and those using obsolete processes, and if they can't do it then it's unlikely anywhere can.

Sounds like they would be worth using if we were confident that there was some unique family memories there. In this case, my sister assumed there would be nothing and would have been as happy to chuck it in a bin, but I persuaded her it would be a bit of fun to see what she was shooting... nearly 60 years ago, she thinks! Probably pics of a pony...
 
Semi-stand dev in 1:100 Rodinal for an hour is probably your best bet if you don't want to take the specialist route.

^^^ This^^^

I've devd lots of old/ very old films using semistand and had usable or good results almost every time.

Rodinal, HC110, LC29.....all have worked at 1:100 solution
 
my granddad past away about 5 years ago and i got his nikon film camera with the last roll of film still in it that he used ,along with a couple of tubs/ containers with film in imnot sure if used or not , i must get it processed it looks like filmdev will be getting a delivery off me
 
Interesting, the Film Rescue site suggests Tri-X is a film that usually gets good or very good results with their processes:

  • Films less than 15 years old stored in cool conditions
  • Any Kodak brand B&W film newer than 50 years old
  • Kodak Verichrome Pan
  • Kodak Tri-X
  • Kodak Plus-X
  • Kodak Kodacolor-X
  • Kodachrome 64
  • Kodachrome 40
However, their turnaround time is several weeks; they will shortly start the last batch before Christmas this year!
 
my granddad past away about 5 years ago and i got his nikon film camera with the last roll of film still in it that he used ,along with a couple of tubs/ containers with film in imnot sure if used or not , i must get it processed it looks like filmdev will be getting a delivery off me

Sounds interesting, Lee. Any idea how recently the film in camera would have been shot? And do the films not in camera have their leaders sticking out? Very likely to have been shot if the leaders are retracted. If the leaders are still out, you can't say for sure either way, as some cameras (and/or some users) do leave the leader end out after rewind, which can be confusing. More likely not to have been shot if the leader's out though, if you fancy a bet with yourself!
 
I had a look this morning the 2 x film rolls in the canisters have what you call the leaders out, but the boxs they are in are open , as for the film in the camera i have had the camera for 4 years i would think the film is between 8 to 10 years old , i have just ordered 2 x battery's for the camera dont know if i need them or not to get the film out ( going to look for instructions as its been many years since i used film ,

i intend to get all 3 films processed / scanned on to disc to see whats on them who knows .
 
What camera is it, Lee?
 
The camera is a nikon n65, I have ordered some batterys so I will wait a few days more then get the film out as looking at the instructions I'm able to finish the film even if it's not all used
 
Great thread. Looking forward to what turns up. That pony shot is a cracker.

I've got a roll of Superdrug film in for processing at the moment from our old Canon point and shoot that's been sat in a drawer for over ten years. Unfortunately I opened the back of the camera not realising there was film inside, so the already exposed shots (probably around 12 of them) might be toast, but hopefully some will have survived. I've also got another Canon compact that my Dad gave me with a partially exposed roll inside. I plan on finishing it off soon and hopefully retrieving a few pictures - I'm hoping there might be some shots of my late mum on there.
 
Interesting, the Film Rescue site suggests Tri-X is a film that usually gets good or very good results with their processes:

  • Films less than 15 years old stored in cool conditions
  • Any Kodak brand B&W film newer than 50 years old
  • Kodak Verichrome Pan
  • Kodak Tri-X
  • Kodak Plus-X
  • Kodak Kodacolor-X
  • Kodachrome 64
  • Kodachrome 40
However, their turnaround time is several weeks; they will shortly start the last batch before Christmas this year!

They run their films in small batches when they have enough for each process, as especially for those using obsolete processes like C-22 or E-3/4 they have to make up custom chemicals that aren't feasible in small quantities. Another company that used to do a similar service ("Process C-22") did it similarly, but for some types of films it ended up being years before customers got them back and that was partially why they were eventually wound up. There aren't many specialist labs like Film Rescue International left now unfortunately.
 
I accidentally opened the back of a camera earlier this year, and only lost 2 1/2 shots, iirc, so you might be pleasantly surprised.

Sadly, the roll was pretty much past rescue - not so much because of the accidental exposure (although it probably didn't help), but just the state of the results. I did manage to find a couple of shots of my eldest son and his friends that are probably 10-15 years old, and a shot of one of out cats who died several years ago now. There are a few pics from the last few days where I finished the roll that have images, but the colour cast is pretty bad and they're extremely grainy. These are the three surviving old pics...

Scan124.jpg
Scan126.jpg

Scan125.jpg
 
I'm visiting my sister at the moment, and searching some old out-building we found the Box Brownie No 2 she used when a teenager. I had not realised that any Brownies used 120 film, but apparently this one did (6*9). When I opened the back there was a film inside, but after I'd quickly closed it and wound on, to find it was practically at the end. After a bit of jiggling, we got the film (Tri-X) out, and wrapped up in sliver foil, so I will send it off to be processed in a day or so. We reckon she has not used the Brownie since she got her first "good" camera... about 50 years ago! Given it's a Brownie anyway (fixed focus, fixed aperture, single shutter speed) we're not expecting too much, but I'm hoping for more than nothing. Will update later...

Came back from Peak today... I'd asked for process and small scan, they refunded me the scan as there's nothing much visible. The film is in very bad condition, with rust marks on some edges and across the film at one point. Middle portion dark black, other parts mottled gray.

However, I think I can discern parts of an image on what would probably be the first film, so when I get closer to my V500 I'll see if there's anything there (it could perhaps be slightly different mottling!).

Oh well, we weren't expecting much!
 
So, I finally finished of the remaining shots on the roll of film that was in an old Canon Z135 compact that my dad gave me. There were no shots of my mum on there unfortunately, but there were some pics that my dad took (it was a trip to RAF Waddington airshow - not sure of the date, but it might've been 2002, the year after my mum died). The film was Dixons branded 200 ASA with an expiry date of June 2004 (I'm assuming it was from the multi-box of Dixons film my dad gave me with the cameras, which had one roll missing). Anyway, here are some of the shots.

I absolutely love the first shot. The slightly washed-out colours are beautiful.

1

FILM - RAF Waddington Airshow-3
by fishyfish_arcade, on Flickr

2

FILM - RAF Waddington Airshow-7
by fishyfish_arcade, on Flickr

3

FILM - RAF Waddington Airshow-7
by fishyfish_arcade, on Flickr

4

FILM - RAF Waddington Airshow-2
by fishyfish_arcade, on Flickr

5

FILM - RAF Waddington Airshow-6
by fishyfish_arcade, on Flickr

6

FILM - RAF Waddington Airshow-8
by fishyfish_arcade, on Flickr

7

FILM - RAF Waddington Airshow-9
by fishyfish_arcade, on Flickr

8

FILM - RAF Waddington Airshow-13
by fishyfish_arcade, on Flickr
 
I'm visiting my sister at the moment, and searching some old out-building we found the Box Brownie No 2 she used when a teenager. I had not realised that any Brownies used 120 film, but apparently this one did (6*9). When I opened the back there was a film inside, but after I'd quickly closed it and wound on, to find it was practically at the end. After a bit of jiggling, we got the film (Tri-X) out, and wrapped up in sliver foil, so I will send it off to be processed in a day or so. We reckon she has not used the Brownie since she got her first "good" camera... about 50 years ago! Given it's a Brownie anyway (fixed focus, fixed aperture, single shutter speed) we're not expecting too much, but I'm hoping for more than nothing. Will update later...

Well, got this back from Peak a while ago, and it was a bit of a disaster. The film was mostly mottled grey, with occasional rust marks and a couple of black frames in the middle. There was one frame that looked hopeful for a part image, so I scanned it on my V500. This was the result...



This looks like a family group taken in the back garden in Somerset. That is recognisably my maternal grandmother on the right, and a couple of other vague shapes that look like parts of people. A bit disappointing, really, but tantalising. I really wish we'd managed to get a bit more out of these frames!
 
There was a film already in the Olympus Superzoom that I bought the other week. As the camera read zero on the counter, I assumed it was unused, but after taking about 13 shots, the film has rewound, so I'm assuming that the counter had reset due to disuse and that there are probably 20-odd old photos on there (or the camera is b*lloxed and there are 20-odd - or 36! - blank frames).

Anyway, I've dropped it off at Peak, so I should find out tomorrow. Probably someone's holiday snaps, or Auntie Mavis's 60th party or something.
 
I got the roll back from the Olympus today. TBH, it was probably a waste of money getting it processes - the film was insanely curled making it a real pain to even get into the holders in the scanner, let alone avoid Newton's Rings making an appearance. Then, after scanning, it became clear that the film was very grainy due to age / storage or whatever and the few shots I'd taken were pretty dull apart from one. Still, there were some shots from the previous owner, and as this is a found film thread, I'd best not dissapoint. So without further ado, I present to you......

....some pictures of Scotland and some cats:

The first shot is a bridge crossing Loch Duich in Scotland, with Eilean Donan castle peeking over the wall. I've never been there, but it's quite a famous castle that I recognised from pictures. You can replicate the view quite closely via Google Streetview: https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@57.2...PvDtaql1gW3wRPO_oA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!6m1!1e1

I'm presuming the other shots are from the surrounding area.

1

Found film-8
by a_bit_of_this_a_bit_of_that, on Flickr

2

Found film-7
by a_bit_of_this_a_bit_of_that, on Flickr

3

Found film-10
by a_bit_of_this_a_bit_of_that, on Flickr

4

Found film-9
by a_bit_of_this_a_bit_of_that, on Flickr

5

Found film-11
by a_bit_of_this_a_bit_of_that, on Flickr

6

Found film-2
by a_bit_of_this_a_bit_of_that, on Flickr

7

Found film
by a_bit_of_this_a_bit_of_that, on Flickr

8

Found film-6
by a_bit_of_this_a_bit_of_that, on Flickr

There area few more of the cats, but I don't want to over-excite anyone with my find. :D

At least I know the camera works (and has a propensity to flare when shooting into the sun - judging by one of the pics I took, at least). I'll stick a roll of Kodacolor or Fomapan in it and put it back in my coat pocket.
 
Last edited:
5 is Loch Garry
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loch_Garry

2 looks like the road into Fort William along the shores of Loch Linnhe and 4 is on the A87 by Loch Duich, I think you can just see the top of Eilean Donan Castle, not sure about the others but some look like a kitchen with a cat, just a guess though. :D
 
5 is Loch Garry
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loch_Garry

2 looks like the road into Fort William along the shores of Loch Linnhe and 4 is on the A87 by Loch Duich, I think you can just see the top of Eilean Donan Castle, not sure about the others but some look like a kitchen with a cat, just a guess though. :D

Thanks Andy. #1 was fairly easy to track down thanks to the castle, and #4 has a sign that reads Loch Duich Hotel, so I was confident about that one too. The others I was less sure of, so thanks for the details.
 
Ok developing experts, what are the thoughts on developing this, bearing in mind I have no idea what film is actually loaded!

IMG_1489165587.429713.jpg

I'm planning on picking up a small bottle of Rodinal so I'm guessing semi-stand for an hour is probably best but what concentration? I'll be using the teeny tiny Minox daylight tank which only uses 55ml of developer.
 
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