Klaus-W
Hello,
I bought 17 metres of 35mm film – VEB-Wolfen Orwo NP 27 – on eBay and have now had my first few attempts using A-49 1+1. I conducted the development using the old Agfa Rondinax U35 developer for 15 minutes. However, I have no idea how old the film is. Judging by the appearance of the negatives, I’d say it’s reasonably usable. I’ll be making the prints after Whitsun.
So – now my question: has anyone had any experience with Orwo films that are 15–20 years old? <_<
Gast
Hello Klaus-W.,
I don’t have any specific experience with NP27 used as a base film, but I do have experience with very old Ilford film.
In fact, I still have a few PAN-F 35mm cassettes here, ‘vintage’ 1974. (It only says Nov. 74 on them – that could even be the expiry date). The films come from a lab clearance sale, were stored dry at cellar to room temperature for about 20 years, and have been in my fridge for about 10 years. They still process perfectly! The development times were only specified for Ilford chemicals (package insert) and are hardly comparable to the times used today. I expose the films according to their nominal sensitivity (50 ASA), use Rodinal 1+50 as the developer, set the temperature at 20 degrees, allow 20 minutes of development, then 1 minute of agitation, and get excellent grey tones which, in my opinion, leave the new Ilford films in the dust.
I reckon that 15–20-year-old ORWO film should produce similarly good results, provided it has been stored properly. However, you’ll probably find it hard to avoid a bit of trial and error. It might be worth giving Rodinal or R09/F09 a go as well. I haven’t had any experience with A49 myself, though.
Bernd
Klaus-W
Hi Bernd,
Thanks for your reply. I’ve had another look at the developed Orwo NP 27 (at least 15 years old) and noticed that the edge markings aren’t as clear as I’m used to seeing on other films. In my next attempts, I’ll simply add a bit more time each time until it’s right – or not.
Well, actually, it’s a bit silly to buy such an old film.
Regards, Klaus-W.
uworischki
I still use NP20 myself, and occasionally NP27.
Depending on how it’s been stored, the base fog might heat up slightly. The film might also lose some of its speed.
So you’re probably right in your assumption – develop it a bit longer or, better still, increase the exposure (to 320 ASA?).
Uwe
Gast
However, it is important to realise that a low-speed film of perhaps 15 DIN has a longer shelf life than a 27 or even 30 DIN film. In my experience, an 800 Fomapan film had just about 24 DIN left after a few years past its expiry date, whereas a Panatomic X, for example, still retained its speed even after 10 years.
Werner
