This is topic Color Correction-Faded Eastman Prints in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.
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Posted by Jeff Taylor (Member # 443) on 12-16-2000, 09:30 AM:
For those of you who either collect film or show older, faded EK prints occasionally, I thought I would share a little experiment I've been working on. Playing with various Kodak Wratten Color Correction Filters (printing filters), I've discovered that either a cyan CC30C or CC50C filter can work wonders on improving the overall color tone of a print without excessively reducing light output or degrading the sharpness of the image. The 30 is the less dense of the two, and is just right for slightly "warm" prints, while the 50 works well on prints that have severely warmed. Now nothing will return perfect color balance,and prints that are totally red will only end up with a grey look, but for many prints this really works.Expect to pay around $20 per filter (100mm size--smaller sheets available), and you will need to pick up a holder to "rube" onto your lens. Let us know if you have any success.
Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 12-18-2000, 07:02 AM:
Kodak introduced print films with greatly improved image stability in 1979, and with the introduction of 5384/7384 in 1982, converted all ECP production to the improved dyes. If processed correctly following the Kodak ECP-2D processing specifications (especially regarding pH and washing), prints made on Kodak film since 1983 should show significantly less dye fading:
http://www.kodak.com/US/en/motion/about/chrono3.shtml http://www.kodak.com/US/en/motion/about/chrono4.shtml http://www.kodak.com/US/en/motion/support/processing/h249/index.shtml Kodak publication H-1 clearly states the need for proper washing to remove residual thiosulfate (fixer): "Thiosulfate salts allowed to remain in color film can also fade the dye images; one dye will probably
be affected more than the other two, causing an undesirable change in color balance and a
deterioration of the image. Therefore, color films require as much care in processing and washing as black-and-white films."
When dyes fade, they usually fade in proportion to the original density, resulting in a loss of contrast for that color. So, if a cyan dye fades, the dark areas of the scene become more red, but the light areas change less. So correcting cyan dye loss with a cyan filter during projection helps overall, but is likely to still have pictures that have cyan highlights and red shadows.
Regardless of the film type, cool and dry storage are best for film. SMPTE Recommended Practice RP131 specifies optimum "Storage of Motion-Picture Films."
http://www.smpte.org/stds/index.html
------------------
John P. Pytlak, Senior Technical Specialist
Worldwide Technical Services, Entertainment Imaging
Eastman Kodak Company
Research Labs, Building 69, Room 7419
Rochester, New York, 14650-1922 USA
Tel: 716-477-5325 Cell: 716-781-4036 Fax: 716-722-7243
E-Mail: john.pytlak@kodak.com