Cracking The Code | Developing Unknown Films

Even though almost every tiny bit of information is available online these days. There are still some mysteries surrounding film photography. Take this roll of Fomapan F21; I got it in a box of other films and found almost nothing about the stock online, save for a few clues. Let's crack the code today and see what I can get out of this roll!
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0:00 - Introduction
1:26 - What is Fomapan F21
3:41 - Looking for Clues
8:29 - What I do know
11:04 - The Shoot
15:08 - Different Ways of Developing
24:19 - The Results
25:59 - Closing

[@ralphbrandi]

One method you didn’t mention is one that I learned about via the All Through a Lens podcast. They claimed that Ansel Adams had a combination he used for unknown films, HC-110 at 1:90 for 18 minutes, agitated every three minutes. I’ve been using that a lot for stuff like Dupont 936B (expired sometime in the 1960s), Imperiale Type S (expired 1977), Ansco Supreme (expired 1958), and Eastman 5302 (expired 2002), among others, with excellent results. The histograms when I scan tell the tale; I get perfect exposures with this method. For films with fog, cold stand development is another option. I have some Svema KN-1 that the source I bought it from recommended HC-110 1:75 at refrigerator temperature (roughly 38F/4C), agitated for 1 minute and left to stand in the fridge for 29 minutes. Again, that worked perfectly. Probably the oddest approach was something I did for a few rolls of Eastman No. 10, a cinema film that expired in 1931. Shot at EI 0.3, I did a clip test on a short piece of the first roll in HC-110 1:10 (yes, that’s not a typo) and found that 9 minutes at refrigerator temperatures gave me perfect exposures and, most surprisingly, no fog. I detailed the process in a blog post at www.thereisnocat.com/showme1004.html . HC-110, even without benzotriazole, is the best developer I’ve found for dealing with fog, especially cold.

[@AlexLuyckxPhoto]

I have never tried that method with HC-110! I’ll add that to my tool kit and give it a good next time! I have a couple odd rolls hanging about to try it on! Thanks for the top and for watching 🍻

[@grampylash]

I especially appreciated your instructions regarding stand development. For me it was the clearest presentation that I have seen. I will be trying it soon.

[@AlexLuyckxPhoto]

Thank you for the kind words! And thanks for watching 🍻

[@theoldcameraguy]

I’ve never tried stand development - Great instructions!

[@AlexLuyckxPhoto]

Thanks! It’s not my favourite method, too long and dull! Thanks for watching 🍻

[@highlander200107]

@theoldcameraguy I do semi stand, I will start development, give a few agitations, go make dinner or whatever else I am multi tasking my time with, come back a half hour later, give it two more agitations, and go back to something else for another half hour. I do this with Rodinol @ 1:100

[@basstubert]

I found this very entertaining, thanks Alex! So much fun developing your own film! The results you've gotten out of this roll of F21 are very cool.

[@AlexLuyckxPhoto]

Thanks! Yes I’m glad the roll turned out also! Thanks for watching 🍻

[@basstubert]

@@AlexLuyckxPhoto 🍻

[@SinaFarhat]

Nice!
You used my good friend d76 :)
For unknown old rolls I use d76 stock 9-11 minutes, has worked great so far!

[@AlexLuyckxPhoto]

D-76 is a solid developer! Thanks for watching 🍻

[@SteveKleinheider]

I haven't actually developed my own film yet...that being said...your video was quite informative and interesting!

[@AlexLuyckxPhoto]

It is both satisfying and frustrating at the same time! I still make stupid mistakes even ten years in! Thanks for watching 🍻

[@highlander200107]

ISO 40?!? You know my obsession with the 40mm focal length, I should get some of that to use!

[@AlexLuyckxPhoto]

Yeah the other flavours are now on my wish list to try out!

[@highlander200107]

Eeeeyyyy, the code! (Ala Pirates of the Caribbean)

[@AlexLuyckxPhoto]

But why is all the rum gone? Thanks for watching 🥃

[@AnalogueDiaries]

Very useful info on developing, thank you! If you'd compare stand dev in Rodinal vs Pyro, what would you choose? Are both methods will produce same results in terms of grain? I only did stand dev in Rodinal so far with pretty grainy results. But I might be getting more grain because of challenging light conditions I shot the film in, so not sure whether Rodinal produces more grain 😅

[@AlexLuyckxPhoto]

Thanks! I haven’t actually compared the two! Something to add to next year’s video list! So watch this space? Thanks for watching 🍻

[@mamiyapress]

Have you ever tried HC-110 + Rodinal combination for 45 minutes ?

[@afrikabb]

What's exactly the ratio?

[@AlexLuyckxPhoto]

I have not! Haven’t been able to find clear enough details online.