Proof Agfa fades

[Larry Arpin]

These are trailers from 90's movies and they are faded or fading. This is what I heard on the 35mm forum.

[Joerg Polzfusz]

That’s also the result from Wilhelm Research - see their free PDF: http://www.wilhelm-research.com/
But the speed and level of fading depends on the exact type, storage condition and number of screenings (light plus heat).

[Mike Newell]

That’s also the result from Wilhelm Research - see their free PDF: http://www.wilhelm-research.com/
But the speed and level of fading depends on the exact type, storage condition and number of screenings (light plus heat).

I would agree storage, heat and humidity play a significant role in the speed of films fading.

[Osi Osgood]

Thus far, I haven't seen any film fade on my Agfa prints, but I also store my films intelligently. However, quite honestly, ALL film prints will eventually fade. However, on the plus side, these low fade film prints will retain they're color far longer than Blu-ray or DVD, and files that can become corrupted in as short of a time as a few years to months.

[Ed Gordon]

Thus far, I haven't seen any film fade on my Agfa prints, but I also store my films intelligently. However, quite honestly, ALL film prints will eventually fade. However, on the plus side, these low fade film prints will retain they're color far longer than Blu-ray or DVD, and files that can become corrupted in as short of a time as a few years to months.

Very true Osi. But I can make backup copies of my DVD's free of charge. I can't do that with my films.

[Brian Fretwell]

Having just checked there may be very slight fading on my oldest Agfa print (WDHM Daffy Duck, Clown of the Jungle) but that is a standard 8 print that must be 50+ years old.

[Osi Osgood]

The earliest Agfa, called anscochrome, still retains it's colors! It is 80 years old. It is in the form of 100ft standard 8mm silent Walt Disney cartoons, released by Hollywood Films.

[Thomas Dafnides]

That is true, my 8mm Anscochrome that I filmed in 1966-70 still has it original colors , but my Agfa 8mm film I shot in 69-70 began fading badly in the last few years. Some footage has become almost entirely bluish . I did not know that Agfa made Anscochrome which has beautiful vibrant color , althought not as fine grained as their Agfa film .

[Brian Fretwell]

Often reversal and print films aged very differently, with reversal usually being more fade resistant.

[Osi Osgood]

Your right Thomas, while fade resistant, that earlier anscochrome was and is fairly grainey. Boy, for they're time, I bet those early anscochrome 8mm were fairly expensive. They rarely come up for sale today.

[Alan Myers]

ALL film will eventually fade, and it was a film archivist who told me that while I was trying to defend LPP and Agfa.
The other thing is, it is very rare for the average film collector to have the ideal storage conditions.
Many will last for years to come such as Agfa ,LPP and especially technicolour, but super 8 releases didn't get put out on IB tech.

[Mike Newell]

Dark, dry and cool. Think Harry Potter in the cupboard under the stairs. That said all Film will fade. You are already seeing allegedly LPP Derann films going the way of others. Then did Derann really use low fade stock as early as they said???

Another theory always a bargain in buying in old film stock. Another white box special me lad! By the time they suss we will be in clover.

[Osi Osgood]

Well, Derann did use the earlier non fade resistant Fuji, which sadly, is very purplish today. I honestly cannot give an authoritative statement on when Derann started using low fade film, but I am pretty sure that as of the advent of LPP, Derann pretty much exclusively used either LPP or Agfa from that time on, and the only cases of fade on any later Derann sales would be due to selling the extra prints from companies that they bought out, orthe odd optical features they sold which, of course, they couldn't know the film stocks used.

[Brian Fretwell]

Also I believe the film stock used depended on which lab was making the prints and the bulk buying they did. It did not make much sense for a lab to buy lower amounts of stock at a higher price. I think Buck originally used Fuji and Rank Kodak. Studio seemed to use whatever was available from the Walton Films I have bought over the years.

[Mike Newell]

Realistically, no one knows what was used. You can guarantee older stock wasn’t automatically dumped just because low fade stock arrived.