Can you Still Get an Image...

[Skipper Greenwade]

Is there any way at all one can still get an image from some movie film that was exposed during the war but never developed?

I have 5 rolls/magazines of Kodachrome Cine'-Kodak film "Made in Great Britain by Kodak Limited London", four in the original boxes that are marked, "Develop Before Jul 1944" and "Emulsion Number 5263 119 2"

The boxes are hand-labeled in pencil, "Magdeburg General Shots", "Magdeburg & Vassars", "Kothel", and one I can't read.

I'm sure this is wartime newsreel or military footage and would love to see what's on it

Is it possible, some 60-plus years, later to elicit even still images from the film? If anyone has any ideas or would be willing to give it a shot, let me know and I'll send you a roll to play with.

Best,
Skip

[Von Hoth]

there are data recovery specialists. they are probably hard to find and expensive.

[PZIV]

But worth it.

[Bob V.]

Big factor will be how it was stored. If it has been in a cool climate there's a better chance of some recovery. Heat is just brutal on unprocessed film. If you have a branch of the National Archives, Presidential Library etc nearby try calling them & see if there is anyone they use for similar work in your area. I've had some documents restored & these specialized people are expensive & they usually have a backlog. Hope this helps a little.

[Von Hoth]

that's what i figured bob, the new kind of data specialists recoverers are easier to find and cheaper than the old school film kind.

[james m]

It's very unlikely that you will be able to recover anything reasonable from 60 year old film that was exposed but never developed. I owned and ran a video production company for several years and this question used to come up in relation to film and stills all the time. We tried having old film processed more than once and the best we came up with were ghost images. Save your money and your time.
Jim

[Simon O.]

The local museum here has received undeveloped film before and same thing. Nothing or unrecognisable smudges.

[byterock]

Unfortunately we are dealing with Kodachrome film which I think when extinct about 15 to 20 years ago. Kodachrome slide film is going or gone now too. Thanks allot digital cameras!

Kodachrome rolls of exposed film have been successfully developed after 30 years in storage. Like to others said it all depend how it was stored.

The problem is finding someone to develop it for you. Unlike negative or e-6 which can be done by hand. Kodachrome is a colour staining process and the chemical needed for it are very hard to get.

There still may be the odd shop out there that does it. I would check with the Kodak-Eastman museum they may still be able to do it.

[byterock]

You know what I lie there still is someone doing it


Dwaynes Photo

The only one in the world. I would phone them and ask if they would run it through.

The good thing about the k-14 process is that it hasn't chenged in 60 years so you might luck out.

[Martin W]

Hi Skip,
probably a long shot but try this #.
Kodak Professional Tech. Support, 1-800-242-2424,ex 19.

Regards,Martin.

[Skipper Greenwade]

Thanks to everyone for their input.

I'll try Kodak's Tech Support first and let you know if I have any luck

Thanks again!
Skip

[dag001]

Skipper,
You might try contacting Jim M in Phoenix. I believe he owns or once owned a business specializing in this sort of thing. Look him up over on GDC.

OOPS - Sorry. I see Jim has already posted - i.e. Post #6