What to do with old colour film?

*KungPOW* · 05-07-2009, 02:44 PM

As people I know find out I still use a film camera, they have started to dump their old rolls of colour film on me.

Now allot of this stuff is expired and has been stored at who knows what temp. The reliability is dubious. Allot of Kodak Gold 200.

Typically, I only shoot B/W film and develope it myself.

I was pondering developing it with my normal B/W chemicals. The various "experts" on the internet report everything from:

"It works great, why all the fuss?"

To:

"My negatives came out clear"

Does anyone think colour film will contaminate my fixer? Will fixer that was used for colour film screw up its future use for B/W? I know C-41 film is not intended to be developed as if it is B/W.

So instead of just throwing out the film, can anyone think of anything to do with this stuff? I am thinking cheap things. I don't want to pay for processing. I don't think I want to buy a colour deveolper kit.

Anything?

ryan s · 05-07-2009, 02:50 PM

Check out this thread, which also has a couple links to APUG.

As far as the chems go...don't know. I would hope the fix would change color if worn out or contaminated?

*RawheaD* · 05-07-2009, 03:04 PM

Use your negatives reversed to do redscale photos. Use your positives like you would use B&W and develop as B&W. Turns out pretty good (as B&W negative, btw).

Erik · 05-07-2009, 03:12 PM

See this flickr set for what kind of results you can expect from developing C-41 colour film in D-76:

C41 + D76 - a set on Flickr

Most of them are extremely grainy but kind of charming.

*KungPOW* · 05-07-2009, 06:08 PM

Originally Posted by ryan s

Check out this thread, which also has a couple links to APUG.

As far as the chems go...don't know. I would hope the fix would change color if worn out or contaminated?

Thanks for the link. Results like that would be great!

The fixer I use dosen't change colour when depleated. Maybe I just won't risk cross contamination and use two batches of fixer.

*KungPOW* · 05-07-2009, 06:09 PM

Originally Posted by RawheaD

Use your negatives reversed to do redscale photos. Use your positives like you would use B&W and develop as B&W. Turns out pretty good (as B&W negative, btw).

Redscale?

a quick google and now I see.

Neat! This I will try. This would be worth paying for c-41 development. I'll also try it with regular B/W developer.

Thanks!

*KungPOW* · 05-07-2009, 06:10 PM

Originally Posted by Erik

See this flickr set for what kind of results you can expect from developing C-41 colour film in D-76:

C41 + D76 - a set on Flickr

Most of them are extremely grainy but kind of charming.

Thanks!

I forget to check flicker.

They have a group for everything!

*Blue* · 05-07-2009, 08:34 PM

How do you load the film in a 35mm backwards for redscale? I'm guessing it requires putting it in a day bag and reversing it in the cartridge.

*KungPOW* · 05-07-2009, 10:52 PM

I was planning to use a spent canister, that was not opened when I developed the film. I figure if I leave a leader sticking out of the used canister, I could tape the leader to the new film, and then re-roll it into the canister.

In a dark room.

When I try this, I'll let you know how it turns out.

irchan · 05-08-2009, 01:21 AM

reverse it, then you get redscale films

just like these
low light - pasar malam sekaten

Mike Cash · 05-08-2009, 03:11 AM

Originally Posted by Erik

See this flickr set for what kind of results you can expect from developing C-41 colour film in D-76:

C41 + D76 - a set on Flickr

Most of them are extremely grainy but kind of charming.

Now I'm more intrigued and inspired than ever to try my own developing!

Looks like just about every one of those could easily be converted to B/W via software and look just fine.