The Agfachrome 64 experiment: Does AP-41⇒(C-41/E-6)=★?

Wow… Thanks to that blog post title, I just made five people’s brains explode like the opening scene of Scanners!  And twenty other people just ran to find their old grade school algebra texts!

Anyways…

In the photographic world of cross-processing (XPRO), photographers create surreal and astounding photographs by dipping their undeveloped film into alternate chemicals – using slide chemicals (E-6 processing) to develop negative print film, and using negative print chemicals (C-41 processing) to develop slide film.

But what’s this other acronym in my blog post title – this AP-41 designation?

Well, I acquired a few rolls of 20-exposure 35mm Agfachrome 64 that were manufactured in the 1970’s.  The rolls were sold on eBay; and there seems to be a new tactic by sellers attempting to unload old, expired film by any way possible.  The sellers use the words “LOMO” and “HOLGA” in their advertising, assuming that the purchaser would use the expired film for lomography.  Of course, that’s assuming that all expired film is perfectly useful for lomography.

That’s not the case.  See, right now people are trying to unload Kodachrome film on eBay by adding the words “LOMO” and “XPRO” to their sales language.  As of January 2011, there are only two things you can do with Kodachrome film.  You can either process it as a black-and-white film – which is like transferring a Blu-Ray film to a VHS tape – or you can put the pretty box on your display shelf.   That’s it, kids.

As for Agfachrome, to develop that film one uses an AP-41 processing formula, which has been defunct for years.  So there’s no guarantee that Agfachrome is even developable with modern chemicals, whether the films are souped in lomographic mixtures, cross-processing or homebrews.

Again, another experiment.  I waited for a sunny day, loaded a roll of Agfachrome 64 into the Nikon F100, and went for a walk.  That sunny day was last Sunday, April 10.  I walked along one of the Pine Bush hiking trails, just snapping pictures left and right.  When the roll was finished, I put a second roll into the F100 and continued shooting.

Now comes the experiment.

First thing Monday morning, I stopped at McGreevy Pro Lab in downtown Albany.  Joey the counter guy was there.  It’s not a Monday unless I show up with some film.

I handed Joey both rolls of Agfachrome.  “I don’t know if this will work,” I said to Joey, “but I’m interested to find out if it does.  Let’s process this roll in my left hand in the C-41 soup, and this other roll in my right hand, let’s develop as E-6.”

“You got it,” said Joey as he filled out a couple of order forms.  “They’ll be ready by Thursday.”

Fair enough.

A few days later, I picked up the developed film.

And as you can see from the pictures on this blog…

Oh wait… you can’t see any pictures on this blog.

You know why?

Of course you know why.

As for C-41 processing… the film came back absolutely clear.  As clear as a window.  C-41 processing does not work with Agfachrome 64.

And as for E-6 processing… the film came back black.  As black as night.  E-6 processing doesn’t work either.

So if you’re thinking you can purchase some Agfachrome 64 and cross-process it in modern chemicals – it won’t work.  All you’re doing is wasting your money and your time.  You may as well dump your film canister in a can of Four Loko, you’ll get the same results as if you dipped your film in E-6 or C-41.  In other words – NOTHING, NOT ONE MEASLY THING!

So take it from me.  Just because a dealer says “LOMO” and “HOLGA” when they’re advertising expired film, doesn’t necessarily mean that what they’re selling will work in that medium.

Just a head’s up.