Photo processing

I processed few of my old disposable cameras (from 2004)

all 4 cameras came out differently.

I can't seem to understand why this was happening.

can someone explain this to me?

thanks!!

How standardized is your processing? Did you soak them in the same tank at once? Or each of them maybe differently? - I never did real c41 processing myself. - The time I dabbled with an XP1 kit, I wasn't that happy with my results despite using a Jobo and trying my best. - AFAIK you can goof up a lot with sloppy color processing, but I might be off.

Were they the same kind of in between similarly stored expired film inside?

Film should be fresh (within expiration date) when it is exposed in the camera. Film should be processed as soon as possible after it has been exposed.

Color film consists of several light sensitive layers coated on a single transparent film base. Film is not only sensitive to light, it will react to ionizing radiation. We are talking about background radiation emanating from earth and sky. A film ages it is being bombarded by these radiation and these slowly fog the film. Additionally color film can be fogged by out-gassing. We are talking about a chemical reaction from fumes. These can be the glue and paints used in furniture. Films stored in drawers can be adversely affected. Films subjected to heat and high humidity during storage are likewise harmed.

Once the picture is taken, the image is said to be latent (hidden). We develop the film to cause the latent image to become visible. A delay between exposure and processing allows time for the latent image to shift. These shifts are greatest but manicure for the first 72 hours. After that time, the shift is slow but steady. After many years the shift can be quire noticeable.

Each batch of film has slightly different properties as to color balance. The differences as to how they handle latent image shifting can be quite pronounced as can developer activity from one session to the next. It is likely that you will never discover the real reasons, but know, time is not on your side when it comes to a delay between exposure and processing.

Let me add, one difference between professional grade film and amateur film is robustness. Amateur films fare better when it comes to latent image shifting and storage abuses.

How standardized is your processing? Did you soak them in the same tank at once? Or each of them maybe differently? - I never did real c41 processing myself. - The time I dabbled with an XP1 kit, I wasn't that happy with my results despite using a Jobo and trying my best. - AFAIK you can goof up a lot with sloppy color processing, but I might be off.

 

Were they the same kind of in between similarly stored expired film inside?

I've been processing for a while, this never happened :(

Film should be fresh (within expiration date) when it is exposed in the camera. Film should be processed as soon as possible after it has been exposed.

 

Color film consists of several light sensitive layers coated on a single transparent film base. Film is not only sensitive to light, it will react to ionizing radiation. We are talking about background radiation emanating from earth and sky. A film ages it is being bombarded by these radiation and these slowly fog the film. Additionally color film can be fogged by out-gassing. We are talking about a chemical reaction from fumes. These can be the glue and paints used in furniture. Films stored in drawers can be adversely affected. Films subjected to heat and high humidity during storage are likewise harmed.

 

Once the picture is taken, the image is said to be latent (hidden). We develop the film to cause the latent image to become visible. A delay between exposure and processing allows time for the latent image to shift. These shifts are greatest but manicure for the first 72 hours. After that time, the shift is slow but steady. After many years the shift can be quire noticeable.

 

Each batch of film has slightly different properties as to color balance. The differences as to how they handle latent image shifting can be quite pronounced as can developer activity from one session to the next. It is likely that you will never discover the real reasons, but know, time is not on your side when it comes to a delay between exposure and processing.

 

Let me add, one difference between professional grade film and amateur film is robustness. Amateur films fare better when it comes to latent image shifting and storage abuses.

I understand the fogginess, but the colours are very off from one roll to the other. and also the blue smudges on the second photo appears throughout the whole roll.

it's not the same size or shape, but blue dots all throughout the roll. do you know what caused that? is it the chemical or the film?

Which films?

What process?

 

(snip)

 

Let me add, one difference between professional grade film and amateur film is robustness. Amateur films fare better when it comes to latent image shifting and storage abuses.

I used to believe this, but was some years ago convinced that it wasn't completely true.

More specifically, when the same film is available both ways, the robustness should be the same. Amateur films are aged, but otherwise the same.

As to the actual case, some years ago Vericolor III (VPS) was suggested to me, even though I don't store my camera below 55F.

That with ordinary care, I should get fine results from it. (At the time, it might have been a month or two per roll.) For some years, I

mostly used VPS as my favorite C41 film.

But okay, Kodacolor might be more robust in some less ideal storage conditions.

(I did find, in some other countries, that there is an Ektacolor film which sounds similar to VPS,

but is not a professional film. I never saw it in the US.)