I have some rather old Kodak Translite film, size 8X10, and I'd like to know what it was used for and what it is processed in. I've used it in place of enlarging paper and discovered that it produces a rather cloudy transparency. It's very slow but then it's 20 years old!

-- Harv Jenkins (hjenkins@prcn.org), January 22, 2001

Answers

I can't be positive about this but I think translites are the film used to make the backlit displays one sees in airports etc. The cloudiness is probably due to the age. DJ

-- N Dhananjay (ndhanu@umich.edu), January 22, 2001.

It is indeed intended for backlit transparencies. It's cloudy because the base is cloudy. I think it is coated on both sides of the emulsion. The resultant transparencies are intended for installation on a light box. If you light from the back and it looks good, the film is OK.

I suspect you process it standard B&W paper chemicals. I might have more info at home & will look & post if I find it.

-- Charlie Strack (charlie_strack@sti.com), January 22, 2001.

I found the info.

Translite is intended for advertising or display transparencies. It has a translucent base (thus the "cloudy" look), and has emulsion coated on both sides, so you don't need to worry which side to expose. Kodak says to put a piece of black paper behind the film in the easel.

Sensitivity is blue, and Kodak recommends an OC safelight filter.

Develop in Selectol diluted 1:1 from stock, continuous agitation for 2 minutes. Turn the film over during processing so both sides get processed.

"When the film is properly exposed and developed, the side that was exposed will be darker than a paper print."

Stop bath or rinse as a normal print.

Fix for 2 to 4 minutes with frequent agitation. (Kodak Fixer)

Hypo clearing agent & wash as you normally do for film.

You can tone or retouch as with normal B&W papers.

-- Charlie Strack (charlie_strack@sti.com), January 23, 2001.

Thanks very much for the info - I've tried it and it works! I only had Dektol on hand but it produced results. Now to awaken the mental bile and figure out what to do with it.

-- Harv Jenkins (hjenkins@prcn.org), January 24, 2001.