CAMPHOR etc

These notes are from an American friend.

 As for the camphor - here are my notes:

1 - Best results will be seen on nitrate and diacetate films. Since many of the early 9.5 films are diacetate this is where the bulk of my use comes in, that and old Kodascope silent films prints....As I am unaware of the base for the majority of 17.5, I am hoping they will be early diacetate safety, and therefore also receptive to the treatment.

2 - Worst results will be on reversal film / and some triacetate and the reason for this is that in the nitrate/diacetate films the film will ONLY take in what it needs to replasticize itself, so in essence you could always store these films with some camphor and never experience a problem.....The other films mentioned here will continue to take in the camphor and can over-plasticize themselves...In the case of reversal film it will separate the emulsion from the base...I have actually used this here at work for this very purpose as sometimes I can get a better scan of a frame when it has been removed from its base.....

3 - Since the camphor is in essence "replasticizing" the film do not have any plastic reels or cores inside the can with the film and the camphor, or it will melt. The same effect that can make a brittle film more supple and relaxed, can make a plastic reel or core more gooey......

4 - When the camphor gets used it disappears so therefore within reason, as long as there is camphor in the can then it can still be used..

5 - NEVER, and I repeat NEVER put a recently cleaned film (especially one with something like Vitafilm, or one of the slow drying cleaners) in a can with the camphor or the camphor will react with the chemicals in the cleaner and you will have a liquid in the can that I am not sure what it is capable or incapable of doing (Would need to be a chemist I suppose).

6 - With a pure diacetate film you should see a difference with the general feel and texture after a couple of weeks of treatment... So if you plan to seal things up for a 2 week period you should be fine......Also make sure to seal the can tightly with tape, etc so as to not let any of the developing gases to escape...If they do you won't get the desired results...

I tend to use 35mm cans for the treatment as they allow enough room for a layer of crystals on the bottom of the can, and then I set the film on a metal reel inside the can and seal it up. I usually crush up the crystals inside the bag prior to opening (sort of like mashing up a bag of crisps before opening). I keep the remainder of the unused camphor inside its metallic bag, sealed with a small spring clip.

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Vitafilm