GAF Superpan film?

[dsphotog]

Anyone have experience with GAF Superpan type 2881 film?
Thought I'd ask, before I start testing.
Thanks,
David Silva
Modesto, Ca

[Robert Hughes]

That dates back a few years. How about some of that DuPont stuff with the combustible nitrocellulose base? I'd love to see that brought back - just watch out with flash exposures... :eek:

[dsphotog]

Thanks Rob,
I don't think it's quite that old...
All I know is from the description on the box "Type 2881 is a moderately high speed, fine grain, long tonal scale, panchromatic sheet film; ideal for portraits, weddings,commercial and industrial work. The polyester base has high dimensional stability & tear resistance."
There is no expiration date or speed on the box.
I'm gonna start testing at 200 asa.

[W K Longcor]

I'm thinking that "moderately high speed, fine grain, long tonal scale" of that era is going to be more like ASA / ISO 64 for starters.

[sun of sand]

it's pretty old
latest would likely be around 1975
probably 5-10 years older

I'd shoot it around 50 to begin with
200 is probably it's original speed
it might be an original 125 like plus-x

[dsphotog]

Good advice guys!
I'm planning a visit to Castle Air Museum on Monday, think I'll load up a Graphmatic or 2.
How 'bout a Supergraphic for shooting a B29 Superfortress?

[venchka]

I have pictures of Dad's B29 from about 1953 when he returned frm a 90 day TDY gig in England. The pictures were taken by a USAF photographer. Obviously 4x5. About 3/4 of the B29 in the photo. I can make out the crew names stenciled below the cockpit windows.

Good luck with the Superfortress.

[Robert Hughes]

The pictures were taken by a USAF photographer. Obviously 4x5. About 3/4 of the B29 in the photo.
Clearly, if the photog had used 5x7, he'd have gotten about 13/14 of that B29.

[venchka]

LMAO! I scanned the photo. I'll dig it up this weekend.

As it turns out, I also have an unopened 25 sheet box of GAF film and a bottle of Kodak Anti-Fog pills. I will be following the progress and processing input intently.

[venchka]

GAF VERSAPAN TYPE 2831
EMULSION # 38 2831 12 211

Anyone recognize it?

[Chauncey Walden]

The ca 1976 Morgan & Morgan lists the 2881 at ASA 250 and shows a straight line increase in contrast with development. The 2831 is in there too. I'll look it up later.

[Chauncey Walden]

OK. The 2831, ASA 125, is "a panchromatic film with extremely fine grain and high acutance, medium speed, moderate contrast, and an extended tone range"

[venchka]

Thank you so much! GAF's version of Plus-X. I have 2 boxes of Plus-X from the same stash. This will be fun.

[dsphotog]

Yes, Thanks for the research Chauncy!
Mine (the 2881)@ asa 250, sounds kinda like XX, I have 150 sheets to get it dialed in.
David Silva
Modesto, Ca

[J. E. Brown]

I just came across this thread, I apologize for resurrecting an old one.

I was given some of this old GAF 4x5 film a few months back. I have been giving thought to experimenting with it. How did you guys go about developing it? I use TMY-2 with D76 1:1. Would that work?

I have much less than 150 sheets to try it out :)

Thanks in advance!


Kind regards,

J.B.