Topic: Orwo UT 18

[charles binns]

Bought ten rolls of expired Orwo UT18 recently.  I ran a couple of rolls through the holga and then developed them at 24C (xprocessed) - the emulsion can't take higher temperatures.  Unfortunately they turned out like this.  Under exposed (not such a problem) but with these black spots everywhere.  I can't figure out what could have caused these marks.  Does anybody have any ideas?

[Francois]

Well, the spots could be due to bad conservation (mostly) as it is something we see on very expired film.

Were these processed as C-41 or E-6?

I know the film was made to be processed in the now obsolete Orwochrome process...

[charles binns]

C41 but at a low temperature because the emulsion is fragile.  the film is supposed to be able to take C41 OK.  Interestingly the only frame of the two rolls that didn't have any spots was a multiple exposure I did.  All the other single exposures had 'mildew'!

[Photo_Utopia]

Charles, black spots could be damp especially if in 120 as moisture can get between the backing and emulsion. I remember the Orwo UT films they used to sell them cheap in AP the price included processing in East Germany I think.
The films were based on the Agfa Neu process from the 1930's I think, I'm not sure they have hardened emulsions so best process between 20-25°C (as I can see you've done)

They were also very prone to fading the dye set is organic rather than synthetic like modern (post 1970's) films.

Mark

[Ed Wenn]

Charles, black spots could be damp especially if in 120 as moisture can get between the backing and emulsion. I remember the Orwo UT films they used to sell them cheap in AP the price included processing in East Germany I think.
The films were based on the Agfa Neu process from the 1930's I think, I'm not sure they have hardened emulsions so best process between 20-25°C (as I can see you've done)

They were also very prone to fading the dye set is organic rather than synthetic like modern (post 1970's) films.

Mark

God, I love Filmwasters. What a perfect answer, Mark.

[charles binns]

Photo

Thank you.  The rolls have been kept in my freezer but one of the rolls was shot in Malta where the conditions are hot and dry.  Does anyone have any suggestions how to get rid of damp?

[Francois]

Silica gel?

[charles binns]

Will silica gel work if the damp is between the backing and emulsion?  I'll try warming the film with a hair dryer before I use it next.

[Francois]

Actually, the best way is to let the film thaw out in its sealed container or wrapper for two hours (for 120 film) before opening. That pretty much takes care of the problem. The dark spots could be parts of the emulsion that remained stuck to the backing paper if condensation happened. And since it isn't a hard emulsion, there's plenty of risk for sticking like flies to a pest strip!