Ancient dry plates. [Archive] - Large Format Photography Forum

pigpen

2-Apr-2023, 14:10

I purchased 2 boxes of very old dry plates from ebay today. I usually would not do this but stumbled upon them by accident with just a couple hours left on auction with zero bids. I paid $4.99 per box of 1 dozen 3 1/4 x 4 1/4. The seller said, "I can't tell if the box has been opened". These boxes have probably been opened 1000 times over the past 100+ years. I believe I have <1% chance of these still being "usable". I decided, for 5 bucks, it's worth that for the boxes for my collection.

Just curious if anyone here has played with these old plates or has any info? One box is "SEED'S DRY PLATES", the other is "THE STANDARD extremely rapid dry plate". Both say manufactured by Eastman Kodak. Any info, or links to info, about these companies, these plates would be appreciated. I'm doing some searching myself online, just looking for some actual hands-on experience. I'm curious as to what ASA they consider "extremely rapid"? I've shot expired film before and know the general rule is to overexpose by 1 stop per decade, couldn't even imagine how long I'd need to expose these. What I'm hoping for is these plates are already exposed and developed and I can use them to play around with VDB and salt printing.

Thanks
Mike

Tin Can

3-Apr-2023, 08:27

I have had very good success with plates up to 129 years old

In sealed boxes...

Expose at 1 ASA in noon full sun

Process 1 at a time in trays by inspection under dim red safe light

Here is one I shot

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50249106903_16b5510a57_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2jykNQ8)PS 1884 Standard Dry Plate Company 5X7 (https://flic.kr/p/2jykNQ8) by TIN CAN COLLEGE (https://www.flickr.com/photos/tincancollege/), on Flickr

Tin Can

3-Apr-2023, 08:56

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52058616382_5878b286e8_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2njf1Xq)A 1880 NOS Glass Plate (https://flic.kr/p/2njf1Xq) by TIN CAN COLLEGE (https://www.flickr.com/photos/tincancollege/), on Flickr

Tin Can

3-Apr-2023, 09:00

pigpen

4-Apr-2023, 14:05

I bought this 1890 plate

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51132811129_db2c5d1077_c.jpg (https://www.flickr.com/gp/tincancollege/4ac73E3f78)Chico 1890 Whole Plate (https://www.flickr.com/gp/tincancollege/4ac73E3f78) by TIN CAN COLLEGE (https://www.flickr.com/photos/tincancollege/), on Flickr

Awesome, thank you. They arrive tomorrow so I'll find out soon. I found them accidently as I was looking for exposed plates for sale to play around with VDB and salt prints (just like this plate). There will be another challenge if the plates are unused: how to shoot them. They are 3 1/4 x 4 1/4 so I'll need to find a way to shoot them in my pinhole as they won't fit in my holder(s) for the Crown Graphic. Shooting 100+ year old plates @ f/154 sounds like fun!!!
Thank you.

pigpen

4-Apr-2023, 14:08

I was thinking HC110 dilution B? What would be your suggestion?
Mike

Tin Can

4-Apr-2023, 15:08

Doesn't matter

Use fresh anything

I use Ilford PQ the Universal Developer for this sort of thing

Or Rodinol, any Rodinol

You need to watch it, I use a plastic spatula in small tray under the glass

Agitate as normal

AND

even if some are light struck, keep trying as some will survive

The emulsion is old and will fall off if too rough

Easy does it

I was thinking HC110 dilution B? What would be your suggestion?
Mike

pigpen

7-Apr-2023, 13:23

I ended up with quite a deal for $9.98. One box was not exposed, but it had obviously been opened. Not saying the seller was lying, it did seem to be sealed but the plates were unexposed and missing the black paper they are usually wrapped in. However, I do plan on taking 1 or 2 from the middle of the stack and having a go.
The second box had all been exposed and 10 of the 12 negatives had survived, some are quite cool. Most are family orientated around Christmas. Some are quite blurry, I could only imagine what the exposure times would be indoors in the middle of winter, young subjects don't help the situation. He are the kids, each one looking in a different direction LOL.
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