Without exception, the film we receive is not processed as originally recommended when the film was new. We have provided the following samples to make it clear why we do this and why our proprietary processes plus digital enhancement are the most likely to render recognizable results, compared to other labs.

High Contrast Bleach Omitted Processing

Synopsis: Conventional processing (#1) of a Kodacolor II film, dated 1981, versus our proprietary bleach omitted processing and digital enhancement (#3, #4).

Conventional processing: This sample was processed in standard C-41 developer and then printed on a printer calibrated to make a good print from a good negative. This is how most labs would treat a C-41 film, regardless of its age.	We processed this sample with the high contrast color developer reserved for select films. The quality of this sample is average for the brand and age of film. We do not attempt to get color results from most color films, because there is a good chance nothing will turn out.
This print was made from the negative processed in our proprietary bleach omitted process, without any digital enhancement. Though the image is now B&W, it is far superior to what would have been possible in color.	This is the same print after digital enhancement, an additional step included in our service. The difference would be more significant with more distressed negatives.

A more detailed explanation: The above samples are from a 1981 Kodacolor II 126 film which we purchased on E-bay. The same photo was taken on each frame; the film was then cut into sections and processed using three different methods. The condition of this film is about average when compared to other Kodacolor II films in cassettes*. This is one of the first C-41 process films manufactured. Although the recommend process is C-41, this film is at least two decades beyond the best-before date and there are better approaches to handling this film which greatly compensate for its age. As with most of the color film we handle here, our process for this film involves an extremely high contrast developer and eliminates the step of bleaching the silver content from the film. Color film has two essential components - a silver layer and three color dye layers - and this bleach step is normal when processing newer color film. Our reason for not removing the silver from most of the color films that we process is that the silver layer stands up much better over time than the color dye image. Our experience is that most people prefer a much higher quality B&W image over its poor color conterpart. In fact, most people prefer any kind of image in B&W versus no image at all in color.

* Worth note is the fact that unprocessed cassette films (126, 35mm, 110) do not tend to stand up as well as roll film (120,127,620 etc.) over time. Film is wound loosely in these cassettes, allowing oxygen to mingle with the surface of the film. Oxygen is a catalyst to the aging process. Unprocessed roll films, if wrapped tightly, have a shelf life approximately 2 to 3 times longer than cassette films.

High Contrast Color Processing (generally used only with Kodacolor X roll films and some off market newer 35mm cassettes loaded with 35mm motion picture film i.e. Seattle Film Works)

Synopsis: Very old color film processed conventionally (#1), similar to other labs, and printed without any digital enhancement(#2). Compare with processing the same film in our high contrast color developer (#3), plus digitally enhanced prints - color (#4) and B&W (#5). This is the difference between Film Rescue International and other labs.

This is what a negative from Kodacolor-X roll film looks like after conventional processing in normal color film developer. It is very low contrast and the orange mask has deteriorated with age; the orange mask allows the negative to print properly on automated printers.	This is the same negative printed conventionally, without any digital enhancement. The purple/ magenta color cast is typical of prints made from distressed or old negatives, using an automated printer set up to make a good print from a good negative.
This is the same Kodacolor-X film processed in our proprietary high contrast film developer. Though not perfect (color fidelity is lacking), it is a significantly superior result from a film of this vintage.	While this digitally enhanced print is superior to the image from the negative processed and printed conventionally, it still lacks the contrast and color fidelity of a new negative. The digital enhancement brings faded color closer to normal, but also exagerrates the grain and imperfections. We consider this a borderline acceptable color result.

Color film has three dye layers, sensitive to different colors of light. Typically, the blue sensitive layer in Kodacolor-X film is more resilient. By isolating that layer, we are able to create a monochrome (B&W) image. Even working with very distressed or faded negatives, the final result is often very good.

A more detailed explanation: The film used was a roll of Kodacolor-X, dated 1966, which we purchased on E-bay. The same photo was taken on each frame and then the film was cut into pieces and processed by two different methods. Compared to other Kodacolor-X roll films we have received from customers, the condition of this particular film was better than average. Kodacolor-X roll film (as opposed to cassette film) is one of very few types of old color film that we do make an attempt to get color image from and still offer our success guarantee. Even so, the final result rarely ends up in color. When the difference is obvious, we provide a better quality digitally enhanced B&W image rather than a poorer color one. If you are sending Kodacolor-X roll film, and color image is preferable, you can indicate this in your instructions. We cannot guarantee that you will get color images, but we will take this into consideration when we work on your film.