Recommendations: Efke 25 and 820 IR, expiration of 2012-8

[Photoclever]

Found four rolls of "new" 35mm film in a box. Two of Efke 25 and two of Efke IR 820. Expiration dates on the boxes are 2012-8.

Unfortunately these rolls were not stored in a refrigerator. The box they were in was always indoors. So figure peak temps no warmer than the 80s/low 90s during the summer on days when we don't use the A/C.

Any recommendations on shooting and developing these films? Do I expose them as if they were fresh? Give them more exposure? If these were bricks of film I would just shoot a test roll of each. But since there's only two of each and they're no longer made...

Now days when I develop B&W at home it's typically with CineStill Df96, and I don't even see times/temps for these films with that developer. But I would be willing to buy the chemicals for multi-step development if it makes it more likely I can salvage these.

 

[Gesture]

Look up adding restrainer to the developer to help with film fog. I've used benzotriazole. You dissolve in alcohol (i.e. vodka), then dilute with H20 into a 1 or 2 percent solution. I think I would use 3-5ml per 16 oz of developer. Formulas should be available.

Still available from Photographer's Formulary and Artcraft Chemical. All cautions apply. In olden times, Edwal sold a pre-mixed product. Along with FG7!!!!!!!! Yes, I am a pack rat. Still have some empty Edwal bottles. We used to also go to pharmacies and scavenge empty gallon brown bottles. Anyone remember when there were independent pharmacies. Still a few around in US, but not that many.

I also used some when there was a space of time between exposing film or paper and developing. In those days, I developed enlarging paper one at a time in drums. Good luck. Efke-one of the best films.

 

[Antone]

For the 25, I'd shoot 5 frames at ISO 25 from -2 to +2 of a relatively high contrast scene, then in the dark open the camera to take those 5 frames for test development. Develop in X-TOL 1+2, 8 min, 68F and inspect for best density. Set your exposure for the rest of that roll and the other.

The IR film could be more problematic, but I suggest the same (ISO 12, X-TOL 1+2, 9 min, 68F). I assume you'll shoot it with an IR filter (e.g., Cokin 007), and that you're not using a camera that's incompatible with IR film (e.g., Canon EOS 3)?

I also recommend a hardening fixer for Efke films.