Very old 35mm films - still worth developing ?

[whiffey]

I have 5 exposed 35mm films which because of bone idleness I have never had developed. They have been lying around for at least 5 years. Are they likely to be ruined by now ?

[fo3nix]

If they've been kept in a fairly dark and dry place, then they may be fine. As fender says, just try them. The worst that could happen is that you waste �5. And I read somewhere that photo processors don't charge if all the photos are black.

[Catso]

I doubt they'd be blurred by age. What will happen is they will lose colour balance, contrast and intensity. If they are print films, a lot of this can be compensated for in the printing (if your processor is any good). If transparencies, you're stuck with it.

Deterioration depends upon the storage conditions. If you've kept them cool and dry, they're probably in reasonable condition still.

It's well worth having them processed, in my opinion.

[Nemesis9]

Have them put onto a CD then you will be able to correct any deterioration using your own PC.
The standard Microsoft image editor which is most likely preinstalled on your computer will do a surprisingly good job.

[willa]

Last year I developed both 35mm Kodak T-max and Tri-X (B&W, ASA 400) that had been exposed in 1998. I used Kodak's HC-110, dilution B, as I normally do for Tri-X. The Tri-X came out fine - normal developing times yielded good contrast and grain. But the T-max came out very thin, with extremely low contast. In retrospect, I should have used a T-max developer but didn't have it on hand.

You don't say whether your film is color or B&W. If the contents are worth the effort, take one roll to a lab (not a quickie place), tell them the situation and ask them to do a clip test (where they cut and develop just a portion of the roll). Or, if you're the gambling type, try one roll at a quickie place. If it doesn't work, at least you've got the others to try at a better lab.

[heathfield]

Whether or not the colours have faded will depend on the temperature they were stored at. High temperature, and the dyes will have faded. Still possibly OK though - you could do as Nemesis says.

[Playbill]

Last year I had three rolls of monochrome film developed after they had been sitting in various 'fridges for 29 years (1976 RAC rally pics).
They all came out perfectly and I think the secret was keeping them cold. A professional photographer gave me this tip. Remembering to mark the exposed film would have been useful!

[joko]

find a truprint envelope - they are pretty cheap and replace all films sent with a new one - so at least you won't lose much cash if they are ruined

[whiffey]

Thanks folks, I will try just one at a quickie place initially, little to lose, although there should be a rather sentimental one of my granny's grave in a country churhyard.

[RAS]

I have a 35mm Agfa colour film at least 20 years old. On the few occasions I have tried to have it developed the photographic shops won't touch it. Where would I go to get it developed.?
Thanks
RAS