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Expired and Exposed: Svema Foto 65
This is a sorta-like a sequel to a post I previously wrote about this unique film.
Film talk - photo walk
Check it out for a bit of context and to learn more about the history of this Ukrainian film.
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When I was gifted some Soviet-era Свема (Svema) film, I was unsure about the quality. How was it kept? (Refrigerator or freezer-held is best to preserve the film) And after a bit of research I learned that for a while Svema 35mm film was shipped WITHOUT a cartridge to hold it; the photographer must load this film into their own bulk cartridge. Some of you digital obsessed kitty cats might not know, the only thing keeping this film from instantly exposing in my very fingers at this instant - was a black paper wrapper.
Luckily, each of my rolls came in in a sealed foil pack, inside the film already spooled in a reusable (bulk) cartridge.
In the car, upon arrival to my first destination, I loaded the first test roll into the Canon and I was ready to go.
Before the unveiling... a few quick notes on development for the nerds experienced film developers.
I used a modified Two Step Caffenol Developer:
40ml Water, 7 rounded Teaspoons of Instant Coffee
100ml Water, 4 Teaspoons of Washing Soda, 2 Teaspoons of Vitamin C
- Put the Coffee mix into the developing tank, agitate once per second for the first minute
- leave it for another 2 minutes, agitate for 10 seconds every minute.
- Pour out 100ml of Water and add the Washing Soda mix.
- Agitate once per second for the first minute
- Agitate for 10 seconds every minute for 9 miutes
- Stand development for another 4 minutes.
I used a chemical stop. Kodak film fix. Hype clear wash. Then photoflo.
In the future I will try purely a stand development (without agitation), and most likely a different developer like Rodinal 100:1. Also will be testing a different caffenol concoction, maybe by modifying the above recipe (again).
Behold, my dissatisfying results...
That’s it.
Seriously. That’s it.
The rest of the roll was blank - exposed.
Initially I was not the slightest bit comfortable with the results. I summed it all up as a failure. I have some theories as to why the roll didn’t ‘come out’ as expected... the reusable cartridge the Svema came in was obviously old, and must not have been light-tight.
What we see here is the final frames of the roll... the very end of the film strip found at the core of the spool. Which makes me think it was protected enough to squeeze these images out.
The filmstrip is so cool, it shows a man and his home dissolving into stardust, what could be more poetic? @AmeliaBartlett
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Ok, so I guess you could say it’s growing on me...
Is it mold, light leaks, and film degradation that produced these celestial results? I don’t know 🤷♂️. Amelia laughs at me “almost everyone tries to mimic film and errors and serendipitous film happenings on their computers”. So yeah, I’ve achieved something on film, thru a number of variables, that other artists only accomplish digitally. Did it produce what I wanted? No. I can almost hear Amelia say “what did you want from a 30+ year old film, anyway?” It’s true; I used to expect these results from expired stocks. So what, it did not produce something I am completely happy with. But, that doesn’t make it a failure. It’s part of my journey.
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Hey, my name is Tang. 👋
Most people know me for being a bus dweller - I converted a school bus into a custom RV, but I’m also a film photographer, dreadlocked Legolas, and a dad to a dog named Hobo. Right now, I'm experimenting with vintage cameras and expired film, learning how to mountain bike, and sharing my adventures along the way.
Into vintage cameras? Check out my latest Gear Talk
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