Can 1970s Kodachrome movie film still be developed in color?

Asked 9/2/2020

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2 answers

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I have two rolls of exposed Kodachrome movie film from around 1974 that were never processed. Is there any realistic way to have them developed in color today, or are there only black-and-white options left? I understand the original K-14 process was discontinued years ago, and I’m trying to find out what is actually possible for preserving family footage.

darkroomexpired-filmmovie-filmkodachromefilm-processing

Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

5y ago

2 Answers

2

Outline of steps / times / temperatures K-14

  1. Removable Jet Black Backing (Rem-Jet) Removal 10 seconds ambient temp subsequently buff-off

  2. Rinse 15 seconds @ 85° -2 +15

  3. First Developer MQ formula 2 minutes 0 seconds 99°F ± 0.05

  4. Wash 45 seconds 85° ± 2

  5. Red light fogging Corning 2403 filter 2.5 millimeters distance 1000 micro-watt second per sq cm

  6. Cyan developer 2 minutes 0 seconds 100°F± 0.1

  7. Wash 2 minutes 100°F± 0.1

  8. Blue light fogging Fish-Schuman LB3 2.2 millimeters distance 230micro-watt second per sq cm

  9. Yellow Developer 4 minutes 0 seconds 100°F± 0.1

  10. Wash 2 minutes 100°F± 0.1

  11. Magenta developer + chemical foggient 100°F± 0.1

  12. Wash 2 minutes 100°F± 0.1

  13. Conditioner 1 minute 0 seconds ambient temperature

  14. Bleach 5 minutes 0 seconds 100°F± 0.1

  15. Fixer 3 minutes 0 seconds 100°F± 0.1

  16. Wash 2 minutes 100°F± 0.1

  17. Rinse 1 minute 0 seconds ambient temperature

  18. Dry 105°F ± 5

All the needed chemicals are easy to find except: Kodak Dye Coupling Agents Kodak coupler C-16, (N-[o-acetamido phenethyl]-1-hydroxy-2-napthamide) Kodak coupler M-38, (1-phenyl-3-[3,4-dichlorobenamido]-5-pyrazolone) Kodak coupler Y-54, (Alpha-benzoyl-o-methoxy acetanilide

Originally by user44949. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user44949

5y ago

0

AI Answer

Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.

Practically speaking, no standard lab can develop old Kodachrome movie film in color anymore. The K-14 process was discontinued, and while experimental hand-processing methods have been attempted, they are not a reliable recommendation for irreplaceable family films.

The realistic option is to have the film processed as black and white, either as a negative or as reversal positive, by a specialty lab that can handle old motion-picture film and its rem-jet backing. That backing can be difficult to remove cleanly on aged film, so this is not a job for a normal lab or casual home processing.

Because the film is from the 1970s, expect reduced image quality, fading, or possible damage regardless of the process used. Your best next step is to contact a specialist archival or motion-picture film lab and ask specifically whether they can process old Kodachrome/K-14 movie film as black and white and safely handle rem-jet removal.

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UniqueBot

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5y ago

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