I'd never throw away the originals of my work. I've been scanning negatives for 20 years, and scanners have come a long way since then. There is still room for improvement when converting film to digital files.
That last bit, i was talking to my local lab a while ago, and she explained that they now specifically ask people if they want their negatives back at drop off, because so many people were getting the scans emailed to them, then just abandoning the film at the lab, where they used to keep it in case and it was piling up. But now they just chuck it after scanning if you don't want them. I couldn't quite believe it myself and said much the same as you, about keeping them around, maybe we'll have better scanners in the future, and you want to rescan, or you know, you lose the digital files, etc.
As a person that just got into film recently, I had one big goal in mind: Processing my own black and white film. I rarely throw away negatives, unless they're somehow scratched or messed up, even then, I at least get my loupe out and inspect it before I make my decision... Re-scanning them should be fun, especially with an upgraded scanner.
Comes from living in a digital world. Some labs even charge extra for mailing film back instead of making it part of the processing service. I don't want a lab to scan my film. It usually is done very badly. So, I check no scans and send back my film. I can scan things myself. Of course I never use a lab for B&W as I develop those myself. I've also started developing C-41 by myself. When I use ECN-2 I still send that to a specialty lab. However, I'll soon do those myself also.
100% KEEP THE NEGS My sister wanted me to scan family photos from the 80s and 90s. Pictures were washed out (cheap 1h dev and print from back then). I did my best, but if only we had kept the negs, I could have DSLR scan them and oh my those pics would have looked soooo much better.
Funny thing, a week ago I purchased a Pearl in 6x4.5 folder. I shot a test roll, Foma 100. I got out my bottle of trusty Rodial that has never failed me. Same thing happened, perfectly clear negs. Had about the same amount as your bottle. I checked the date, 10 years old. I guess it will go bad after all.
Yeah, I work at a lab too. The College kids, frequently don't want their negs. But most of them are shooting disposable cameras and even know what negatives are in the first place. We do our best to educate them though.
This just reminded me Rog. I have a Hawke laser range finder from when I used to go shooting a few years ago. Its a big to put it on the camera though.
Rodinal going bad? wow, I think that's the first time I have seen that before. I suppose everything has an expiry. I love that Rodinal does have a longer, stable shelf life than most. I have three gallons of concentrate ilford DDX that I tried a few times and seems to still work well too. It is about 20 years old. I do mix it a bit stronger than normal to compensate a bit.
Interesting toy. Guess it would be nice for helping in certain situations. I have used an old fashioned tape measure before when I am using my Mamiya 645 1000s. Certain compositions do not allow for easy viewing of the viewfinder so having a measuring device comes in handy.
Quite shocked about Rodinal going bad. How old was it? I use only Rodinal. I shoot 15 films a year 15* 12ml rodinal = 300 ml use of Rodinal my bottle contains 500ml. So I do almost 2 years with 1 bottle. Maybe that is too long.
I wonder what could have happened to your Rodinal. I see it's an Adox version. I'm still using Agfa Rodinals that are 20+years older than that of Adox's... and I have no issues.
Original Agfa Rodinal was eternal, but not the new formulas. I used Agfa Rodinal 15 years after to be open without problems, but the new ones died in less than one year. I have a trick, and I will share with you 😜. Butane, butane for lighters. A bit od butane in the bottle crated a gas layer over tbe developer that avoid the contact with the oxygen. With this trick I have been using my Rodinal for years (new versions). This trick it's nothing new, Tetenal had a butane and propane mixture product called Protectan.
If it was made by ADOX then I am not surprised. Their version of Atomal 49 goes off within two weeks. Its built in I am afraid. Also the same is true of the new HC110. I actually found the original formula in one of my searches and it was an ealborate affair. The new version has done away with 3 ingredients including something that worked like TEA, Triethanolamine. Can't remeber what it was TBH, but the new formula is not suspended in the thick syrupy fluid so it doesn't last anywhere near as long as the original HC110.
Well Roger I went back and found a video you did where you said you were not going to review products on your channel because there were plenty of others doing it. What happened mate ?
I'd never throw away the originals of my work. I've been scanning negatives for 20 years, and scanners have come a long way since then. There is still room for improvement when converting film to digital files.
That last bit, i was talking to my local lab a while ago, and she explained that they now specifically ask people if they want their negatives back at drop off, because so many people were getting the scans emailed to them, then just abandoning the film at the lab, where they used to keep it in case and it was piling up. But now they just chuck it after scanning if you don't want them. I couldn't quite believe it myself and said much the same as you, about keeping them around, maybe we'll have better scanners in the future, and you want to rescan, or you know, you lose the digital files, etc.
LOL same. When I ask if they want the negatives back I usually get a blank stare. Then after that whatever I say seems to be in another language. 🤣
As a person that just got into film recently, I had one big goal in mind: Processing my own black and white film.
I rarely throw away negatives, unless they're somehow scratched or messed up, even then, I at least get my loupe out and inspect it before I make my decision...
Re-scanning them should be fun, especially with an upgraded scanner.
Comes from living in a digital world. Some labs even charge extra for mailing film back instead of making it part of the processing service. I don't want a lab to scan my film. It usually is done very badly. So, I check no scans and send back my film. I can scan things myself. Of course I never use a lab for B&W as I develop those myself. I've also started developing C-41 by myself. When I use ECN-2 I still send that to a specialty lab. However, I'll soon do those myself also.
well they need to explain what the difference between the lite and pro version.
100% KEEP THE NEGS
My sister wanted me to scan family photos from the 80s and 90s. Pictures were washed out (cheap 1h dev and print from back then). I did my best, but if only we had kept the negs, I could have DSLR scan them and oh my those pics would have looked soooo much better.
Funny thing, a week ago I purchased a Pearl in 6x4.5 folder. I shot a test roll, Foma 100. I got out my bottle of trusty Rodial that has never failed me. Same thing happened, perfectly clear negs. Had about the same amount as your bottle. I checked the date, 10 years old. I guess it will go bad after all.
An interesting device, and lovely to see George again!
Yeah, I work at a lab too. The College kids, frequently don't want their negs. But most of them are shooting disposable cameras and even know what negatives are in the first place. We do our best to educate them though.
It's incredible that they figured out how to get the laser to show up as red on black and white film!
What a nice dog.
This just reminded me Rog. I have a Hawke laser range finder from when I used to go shooting a few years ago. Its a big to put it on the camera though.
Rodinal going bad? wow, I think that's the first time I have seen that before. I suppose everything has an expiry. I love that Rodinal does have a longer, stable shelf life than most. I have three gallons of concentrate ilford DDX that I tried a few times and seems to still work well too. It is about 20 years old. I do mix it a bit stronger than normal to compensate a bit.
I use a Bosch Zamo handheld laser distance device, works great
This would be useful for those that shoot lenses wide open. Not as useful at smaller appatures, but still worth it.
I've been using the Leica DISTO D1 for some time and I'm happy with it.
Interesting toy. Guess it would be nice for helping in certain situations. I have used an old fashioned tape measure before when I am using my Mamiya 645 1000s. Certain compositions do not allow for easy viewing of the viewfinder so having a measuring device comes in handy.
I use a builder’s laser.
Don’t recommend lasers for night street work tho…
Ideally I guess it needs its own little viewfinder window so you dont need to check where the laser is hitting.
I use a watameter with my nettar and it works great.
Quite shocked about Rodinal going bad. How old was it? I use only Rodinal. I shoot 15 films a year 15* 12ml rodinal = 300 ml use of Rodinal my bottle contains 500ml. So I do almost 2 years with 1 bottle. Maybe that is too long.
I tried using a laser distance device with my folders. I couldn’t see the dot so I gave up. My Rowi works far better.
I wonder what could have happened to your Rodinal. I see it's an Adox version. I'm still using Agfa Rodinals that are 20+years older than that of Adox's... and I have no issues.
Reflx Lab has a distance meter too, sadly doesnt also meter light
It's sad that they haven't gone for a green laser. These are pretty much the only ones that are visible in daylight.
Another way to make your film look completely blank is to run B&W film through the c41 process. The bleach will strip everything right off.
My
Local
Lab in town does the same. No one wants the negative…
Original Agfa Rodinal was eternal, but not the new formulas. I used Agfa Rodinal 15 years after to be open without problems, but the new ones died in less than one year.
I have a trick, and I will share with you 😜. Butane, butane for lighters. A bit od butane in the bottle crated a gas layer over tbe developer that avoid the contact with the oxygen. With this trick I have been using my Rodinal for years (new versions).
This trick it's nothing new, Tetenal had a butane and propane mixture product called Protectan.
If it was made by ADOX then I am not surprised. Their version of Atomal 49 goes off within two weeks. Its built in I am afraid. Also the same is true of the new HC110. I actually found the original formula in one of my searches and it was an ealborate affair. The new version has done away with 3 ingredients including something that worked like TEA, Triethanolamine. Can't remeber what it was TBH, but the new formula is not suspended in the thick syrupy fluid so it doesn't last anywhere near as long as the original HC110.
I have one, mostly I use it for close focusing. Other than that didnt use it, cos scare burn ppl eye...
Rodinal is merciless when it goes bad. It works nice, and then all of a sudden it just destroyes the film. I've had it happen once too.
That Rollei rangefinder thingy of yours is actually nowhere to be found. Google gives 0 results. Would you mind send a link maybe?
@peinmilan Rowi not Rollei 😉
LD PRO £107..Mmmm.. .Small lass Aliexpress £13...on Amazon £29....
ALWAYS use a drop of developer over film to test it, ALWAYS
Well Roger I went back and found a video you did where you said you were not going to review products on your channel because there were plenty of others doing it. What happened mate ?
Gen Z youngsters!🙄🤷♂️🤣