B&W from Ektachrome?

I just bought an 8x10 view camera which came with several boxes of

out of date Ektachrome. My question is, is there ANY non-E6

processing technique that would create a negative from it capable of

being contact printed to B&W paper? I'm not looking for full dynamic

range or anything and am even prepared for some off the wall results.

I'd just rather not toss the stuff out.

Hi Michael,

you could..... cross develop (CN41) the stuff, and print it onto graded panchromatic B&W paper (especially designed for printing colour negs).

As it sounds to be a matter of money, remember most labs charge 50-100% plus for crossing, and you might need some push-processing to (additional fee again). This is gonna be a real drain, for the labs i know count a sheet a film.....

This process is more for artists who really want the colour shift.

In addition the panchro paper is not really an everydays thing, so you risk leftovers. For its panchromatic sensitive, no safelight will be safe! Absolute darkness. You could use normal Multigrade or ortho-graded paper, but they will shift grey depending on the colour. Again interesting, but in your case unwanted.

I`d rather recommend to toss the stuff into the fridge until you feel the urge for colour slides.

Better get yourself some b&w film (cheap forte or efke is no quality drawback against expensive Kodaks). You can do the processing yourself, and you really should do it to learn about the advantages of 8x10 inch. (There`s an older thread if to use trays or tubes, remember, no safelight is safe with film-material).

Have fun

Martin

Ektachrome is a reversal film, which means that developent is in

two stages. Stage 1 developes the negative, then, after a

reversal exposure of the undeveloped emulsion (back in the

days of e-4, we used to turn on the lights to do the reversal

exposure... it's done chemically, now), the balance of the

emulsion was developed in stage 2. A bleach/fix would cut the

developed negative away. Presto... we now have a positive.

With that in mind, do a bit of testing... Expose a sheet, cut it int 3

strips and develop it in any B&W developer for about 5, 7, and 9

minutes. Stop and fix normally. You've taken the film through

stage 1 only. You should get a rather normal negative, or at least

some indication of a reasonable processing time.

Expect some fog, you may have to bleach it a bit to open up the

contrast. Have fun.