Kodak Tech Pan - Will I lose the bet?

[steved55]

I happened to have some well expired TP 24 film in my freezer. Pulled it out and shot roll. Expired approx 2006. Yep, only 18 yrs old. It could vote if it had a way to the polls.

Anyway, I shot it and then developed in Technidol, Kodak's develper for the TP.

After going thru the steps, zero results with two rolls. Shot different time from different cameras. Each roll was as clear as can be. Does that sound right? I should think there'd be a random under exposed or over exposed shot. There was nothing. Any insight?

steve

 

[RAZKY]

I happened to have some well expired TP 24 film in my freezer. Pulled it out and shot roll. Expired approx 2006. Yep, only 18 yrs old. It could vote if it had a way to the polls.

Anyway, I shot it and then developed in Technidol, Kodak's develper for the TP.

After going thru the steps, zero results with two rolls. Shot different time from different cameras. Each roll was as clear as can be. Does that sound right? I should think there'd be a random under exposed or over exposed shot. There was nothing. Any insight?

steve

How was the film stored - more importantly, how old is the developer and how was it stored?

 

[Jeff15]

I know nothing about film, hello and welcome anyway ...

 

[cgw]

We have a lab guru on board who will likely weigh-in soon.

 

[steved55]

How was the film stored - more importantly, how old is the developer and how was it stored As noted, it was frozen.

How was the film stored - more importantly, how old is the developer and how was it stored?

As noted. It was frozen. Nothing special done regarding the technidol liquid developer. Just sat on the shelf for the last 20 years or so.

 

[webestang64]

Tech Pan was designed for scientific, military and research use and "other". I used it back in the day it to produce BW word slides. When I shot it for continuous tones (skin tones) the film was rated at 200 ISO developed in Rodinal 1:100.
Of course this was with fresh everything. Even if the film was frozen it still will go bad. Freezing only slows down the rate of deterioration, same goes for photographic paper. That said shooting any expired film no matter the storage is a gamble.

See Tech sheet (note from 2003) here for more info............

https://bioskoplab.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/tech_pan2415.pdf

 

[webestang64]

Forgot to mention, just like outdated slide film the "base fog" will go clear with this film. Not dark gray or black with regular BW or color print film.

 

[steved55]

Forgot to mention, just like outdated slide film the "base fog" will go clear with this film. Not dark gray or black with regular BW or color print film.

Thank you very much for all the comments. Very insightful however a bit depressing. I was hoping for the best and just like in the army hope for the best prepare for the worst.

 

[steved55]

Thank you very much for all the comments. Very insightful however a bit depressing. I was hoping for the best and just like in the army hope for the best prepare for the worst.

I'll give it one more try with another camera. Who's to say??

 

[webestang64]

I'll give it one more try with another camera. Who's to say??

Not sure if this might help but this shot was with 30 year old Kodak 160T tungsten slide film. I rated it at 50 ISO and pushed the process 2 stops but in C-41 chem (color print film) not E-6 (slide film) , or "cross process". That's a 4 stop push.
Would a large push help the Tech pan.....maybe?

 

[steved55]

I happened to have some well expired TP 24 film in my freezer. Pulled it out and shot roll. Expired approx 2006. Yep, only 18 yrs old. It could vote if it had a way to the polls.

Anyway, I shot it and then developed in Technidol, Kodak's develper for the TP.

After going thru the steps, zero results with two rolls. Shot different time from different cameras. Each roll was as clear as can be. Does that sound right? I should think there'd be a random under exposed or over exposed shot. There was nothing. Any insight?

steve

Thanks for your suggestion. I'll give it some thought. A couple of stops could make a difference

 

[RAZKY]

As noted. It was frozen.

You didn't say for how long or at what temperature. 20 years at 0° F or 20 years at 32° F can make a big difference.

 

[steved55]

You didn't say for how long or at what temperature. 20 years at 0° F or 20 years at 32° F can make a big difference.

Home freezer at zero degrees fahrenheit. 20 years.

 

[webestang64]

Even if the film was frozen it still will go bad. Freezing only slows down the rate of deterioration, same goes for photographic paper.

Home freezer at zero degrees fahrenheit. 20 years.

Yep, does not matter.

 

[RAZKY]

Home freezer at zero degrees fahrenheit. 20 years.

20 years may be pushing it a bit, but if the humidity wasn't much above 30% or so, and with fresh developer, you might be okay. For anyone who wishes to educate themselves on the subject, Wilhelm Imaging has published more research results on preserving photographic materials than anyone. Good luck, and let us know your results.