Prevent Troubles During Development: Be Cautious with Films Brought from Overseas | Release #197
cover image by もーちょ
In recent years, with the increase in inbound tourists, various films from overseas are being brought into Japan. However, some of these films require caution during development, and we want to alert film developers and creators to be careful.
The Film's Appearance and Contents Were Different?
Recently, an incident at 'Yaotomi Camera Store' became a topic on . A disposable camera with a film development request had an exterior labeled 'Kodak', but inside, it contained repackaged cine film.
The Importance of Proper Development Processing
The disposable camera brought in was labeled 'ECN-2', indicating the appropriate processing method, allowing for preemptive measures. However, in a busy environment, such details might be overlooked.
Beware of Counterfeit Films
Due to the rising cost and scarcity of films, there is an increase in businesses reselling cine films rewound into 35mm cartridges. Cine films have a 'carbon rem-jet layer' that requires a pre-bath to remove. Skipping this step not only contaminates the developer but also prevents proper film development.
How to Develop Cine Films
Developing cine films requires a pre-bath with an alkaline solution to dissolve the carbon layer. After this, the film undergoes the basic color negative development process (ECN-2) to produce developed negatives. This pre-bath equipment is necessary in specialized development facilities, and it may be challenging for regular mini-labs to handle.
Some Cine Films Are Pre-Bathed
Not all cine films cause issues. Some are pre-bathed and sold in a state suitable for normal development processes. However, due to insufficient verification or the presence of counterfeits, caution is needed to prevent development troubles.
