Development of old film

[jim_graves1]

I also have some old film (Kodak Panatomic-X, 4x5 sheets ... expiration date

1947.) It is in sealed boxes and was supposedly refrigerated. I am new to this

forum and have been reading it for several months and have searched and read

older related entries. I understand I should expect fogging and reduced

contrast. My question is what developer and additives will reduce the fogging

the most and how much development time should I add when I start doing test

shots (I'd like to waste as few sheets as possible.) Any help is greatly

appreciated.

[john_shriver]

Cut it into pieces small enough to shoot in a 35mm camera. Then you can use just one sheet to come up with times.

 

Period times in D-76 were 13 minutes continuous agitation (tray), 16 minutes intermittent agitation (deep tank).

 

These days, I'd say start with 5 or 6 minutes in HC-110 dilution B? It has less fog than a lot of developers.

 

As for exposure, start at 1 stop overexposure, and bracket up from there by stops. Speed loss will be more a problem than fog with such slow film.

[pete_andrews10]

Film this old usually gets "blotchy" - patches of uneven density and spots that ruin the image - and no amount of restrainer in the developer will help.

 

Unless you have some good reason to use the film, then just keep the sealed boxes as museum pieces.