I need some "old school" photography info/help...

Mongo

Mongo

Joined
Nov 5, 2001
Messages
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Howdy all, I used to be a bit of a photography hobbyist... then I met this pretty little fraulein, married her, started having little Mongo-ettes, bought my own practice, and haven't done much photography since. Well, I hauled the old equipment out last weekend and shot up the remainder of the film in the camera and loaded another roll. Here's my dilemma: the film is Fuji Velvia and Sensia, which are premium slide films. These particular rolls have got to be close to 9-10 yrs old!:eek: Here are my questions:
1. Will the undeveloped film be color diluted in some way due to age?
2. Are the unshot rolls I still have left (probably about the same age) still ok?
3. Is developing at somewhere like Osco, Walgreens, Walmart, Target etc. going to be the same or as good as somewhere like Ritz camera? I do know it will be cheaper, but at this point looking for quality. Does slide film go to the same lab anyway regardless from where it is sent?
4. How can I convert what I do have on slides to something more permanent and viewer friendly?
5. Anybody else here like slide film for their serious photography? What is your favorite film?

Just to fill in the remainder of the story... my camera is a Canon AE-1 with a decent wide angle lens, macro lens, the standard lens it came with, and a variable telescopic lens. (sorry, I can get more detailed info when I get home)

Looking forward to your replies/answers,
Mongo
 
I still use my FM2N. Fully manual camera just feels better....

Anyway your answer:

1. Yes more so if left in hot place, less if frozen
2. No but try shooting one roll and develop to see. You might be lucky.
3. Quality is always good. Go for specialist, Ritz is like the rest.
4. What can be more permenant then slide? You can have them scanned.
5. I usually shoot Fuji negative film. Digital is for work only.

singteck
 
Go to the Vintage Cameras forum at www.photo.net and ask there. There are guys there who search the junk shops for old cameras so they can develop the film they find in them -- it's a whole hobby in itself.... They have worked out how to develop old film and get the best possible results.
 
1&2: ditto what singteck said.
3: Given the age of the silde film, I'd opt for a specialist. If the Ritz is all you have, have them send it to a specialist. They should have referrals.
4: Give it to the Ritz to have then scan onto DVD. Gonna cost though.
5: No slide. I use Kodak Porta 160NC (both 35mm and MF) for my serious shoots. Which is mostly candids. That is if I'm not using my DSLR.

Another thing. You will probably need to send the AE-1 in for a tune up. Replace the seal and lube the mechanisms; especially the shutter. I'd highly recommend Karl Aimo (see references in photo.net). He did a bang up job on my AE-1 and A1 three years ago.
 
Usually, the worst effects are caused by delay in developing the film AFTER exposure.

Shoot a test roll of each.

It dosen't get any more permanent than transparencies.
 
1. & 2. you will probably notice poor quality pictures compared with new film as per the other posts
3. Definately worth sending it to a pro or semi pro lab they will take a lot more care of the film and developing. you have a lot better chance of getting it properly developed and less chance of getting scrates etc on the film
4. Your pro lab will be able to scan them to DVD or alternatively make prints from them
5. I used to use Kodak Elite but I have a DSLR now...
 
Walmart doesn't develop slides on premises. Ritz probably doesn't either. They might even send them out to the same place. I have developed lots of slides at Walmart (not 9 years old) and have never had a problem.

I have shot print film that was at least 9 years old and it printed up nicely with a slightly washed out look to the colors that was nice. You might put the fact that the film is old in the comments section of the envelope and the technicians might pull or push the process to compensate.

Not much will be more permanent than print film.

I like the Fuji slide films and shoot a lot of it. In fact I have gotten away from digital almost entirely (except for eBay pictures). I mostly shoot Fuji print film but for travel pictures I like velvia or sensia

Chad
 
ChadHahn said:
I like the Fuji slide films and shoot a lot of it. In fact I have gotten away from digital almost entirely (except for eBay pictures). I mostly shoot Fuji print film but for travel pictures I like velvia or sensia

Chad
Click to expand...

We think alike Chad. (except I don't do the ebay thing). Most of my real camera shooting is artistic stuff. I have an APS camera and digital camera for the vacation/B-day parties/general stuff. I REALLY like the Velvia and Sensia. I've taken some amazing pics with the stuff.
Chad, what kind of camera do you shoot?
 
Forget about "quality" given the age of your film. I am a professional photographer with about 40 years of film experience. Slide film that old is pretty much a crap shoot. You may get a usable image, you may also get green skin and purple grass. My suggestion is to have a custom lab process it. Forget about camera stores. Check with your local pro for a recomendation. Better still, buy a few NEW rolls.
 
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