How should I handle and develop unknown old roll film found in a 1930s folding camera?

Question

I found an exposed roll still inside a 1930s German folding camera. The frame window shows the film is partway through the roll, with about four exposures remaining. I don’t know what type of film it is, how old it is, or what speed to rate it at.

I’m considering either finishing the roll with heavily bracketed exposures, or removing it in the dark to inspect the backing paper and try to identify the film before reloading it. I’m also concerned that the film may be extremely old, badly fogged, curled, or even an obsolete color process.

What is the safest practical strategy for dealing with this kind of found film, and how should it be developed?

user89902 · Accepted Answer

I've got some experience with "found film" -- it's a lot of fun.

First, don't expect much; film that stood in the camera, potentially for decades, is likely to be heavily fogged and show mottling and/or wrapper offset (where the ink on the backing has fogged the emulsion in contact with it on the supply and takeup spools).

Second, you'll likely find that the film has taken a very strong curl, making it difficult to load into a developing tank for processing.

Third, if it turns out to be color film, it's very likely it's an obsolete process like C-22 or Agfa's equivalent from the 60s or 70s.

The good news is, if you get anything from the film, the first three or four frames might well be like ghosts from the past, images of people or events that are otherwise long forgotten.

I'd suggest treating the film like ISO 100 -- but then give at least two stops additional exposure to try to push your new exposures through the age fog. Process in a low-fog developer like Rodinal or, if you can find some, the old style "syrup" HC-110. Before the mid-1950s, all black and white films had a standardized process, like C-41 films have now. It was (and no, this is not a typo, it was really long): seventeen minutes at 20C/68F in D-76 stock solution. Similar or the same would apply for HC-110 Dilution B, which is what I'd recommend (though from what I've read, the new HC-110 isn't as good against fog as the syrup I used to use).

In the end, be prepared to get nothing, either from the decades-old exposures, or your new ones on the old film -- and anything you do get will be a beautiful surprise.

How should I handle and develop unknown old roll film found in a 1930s folding camera?

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