Photography question

[arib]

Or possibly chemistry. Maybe both.

Last week, I found a completed but undeveloped disposable camera in my old dresser back at my folks' place. Based on markings on the camera, it's from the early nineties. Is there any chance it's developable?

Comments

[nightshade1972]

Hubby worked in a camera store for a number of years. I just emailed him your question. My own initial reaction is "probably not". When I was in junior high school, I had one of those disc-film cameras that I forgot about for years. I had the film developed and there was a lot of reddish streaking on the photos. I could still see the people and places, but under a cloudy red film. I ended up throwing out most of the photos. Granted, that was years ago, and I imagine photo tech has improved a lot since, just...prepare to be disappointed. Good luck!

[arib]

I have no idea what could possibly be on it, so I won't be too upset.

[nightshade1972]

Hubby's response to the email I sent him:

Absolutely, with the caveat that it's always possible the film has some issues if it's been around heat or x-rays or the other usual suspects for film that's 20 years old. If it's old enough it might be 400 speed instead of 800, which would actually help minimize the impact of its environment, especially if it's Kodak as their 800 was complete shit. It might require somebody who knows what he's doing to get the colors exactly right at this point as the printer will probably have to be calibrated for something that old but there's no reason the film's age alone should make it useless.

[roosterbear]

There is also the option, if the colors are too messed up, of scanning the prints & cleaning them up digitally.

[dmmaus]

I'd definitely develop it. It may well have coloured streaks and stuff, but you should be able to tell what the photos are of. And they may be good enough to keep.