Can I still develop K40 from 1985?

Belvegas · Post by **Belvegas** » Fri Mar 07, 2003 8:52 am

Hi! I'm rather new to Super8. Bought a camera recently which came with 20 unopened rolls of K40, originally bought in 1985. Each roll includes a return envelop (but unaddressed).

Can I still get this old film developed?

If so, is the developing free if I send it in using the mailer? And to what address to I send it to?

Thanks!

Patrick · Post by **Patrick** » Fri Mar 07, 2003 10:23 am

Theoretically, you should be able to. I know that sometime ago there was a Kodachrome II film but I am not exactly sure if that can be developed nowadays. Ordinary Kodachrome 40 is handled by the lab in Switzerland. As to whether this film should turn out ok is anyone's guess. I have heard mixed results of really old film being developed. According to someone I talked to, really old film can turn out purple and blotchy.

However, I have had black and white 16mm film developed that was at least 15 years old and it turned out fine! Obviously, the fact that it was black and white meant that it was fairly resilient to age. So is Kodachrome 40. Out of date K40 will fare much better than probably any other colour film out there. Additionally, since they haven't been previously exposed at all, your chances are a little better. So there is a reasonable chance that yours will turn out reasonably OK but I cannot garantuee it. My tip is - shoot one or two films with subject matter that is not too important and send them off for processing. Whatever the results are like, the rest of the films should turn out the same.

The developing is free. Who you send it to depends on what country you live in. The local lab (or interstate lab) will then send the film on to Switzerland for developing. Eventually, on it's round the world voyage, the film shall arrive back in your letterbox.

Angus · Post by **Angus** » Fri Mar 07, 2003 11:08 am

Kodachrome II is before 1973 and can only be developed, at great cost, as B&W negative.

However K40 (it will say KMA on the box somewhere) can be processed by Kodak in Swizerland. Since processing is free you might as well try the films.

Often K40 lasts quite well and films from 1985 might be perfect, or at least near-perfect. However I had one film from the early 80's that came back very fogged and almost totally pink when processed in 2001.

YouTube · Post by **Andreas Wideroe** » Fri Mar 07, 2003 11:57 am

Yes you can. I've developed K40 from 1983. Infact I got one right now that's from 1981 which will be sent to Kodak next week.

Expect slightly pinkish images.

Belvegas · Post by **Belvegas** » Mon Mar 10, 2003 10:40 am

Thanks for the replies!

Another question:

I'm in Singapore and I don't think that there is a local lab to drop the film off at (unless I can drop it at any regular Kodak lab?). Should I mail it to Switzerland myself? If so, to what address and do I need to include return postage?

Post by **S8 Booster** » Mon Mar 10, 2003 11:55 am

You may try to contact this lab for info:

http://www.kodak.com/cgi-bin/US/en/moti ... Search.cgi

http://www.kodak.com/US/en/motion/indus ... labs.shtml
Japan is also listed in the above search.

Services - Labs - Super 8

Pacific Rim Super 8 Labs

Lab: Star Film Laboratories Inc.
Address: La Fuerza Compound
Address 2: 2241 Chino Roces Ave.
City: Makati CityÃ‚Â Ã‚Â
Phone: (632) 893-2485
Phone 2: (632) 894-1324 to 25
Fax: (632) 893-4786
Web Address: http://www.roadrunner.com.ph

R

Post by **Old Uncle Barry** » Mon Mar 10, 2003 1:16 pm

8O

Yes,I can confirm that if it has KMA on the box then you will get it processed.I have had 1993 (expiry date) 16mm processed without problem.
One thing though,it will now be slower and you will need to reduce the ASA rating down to 32 or even 25 to get proper results otherwise your footage will be underexposed.