Classic film test:
Agfa Isopan IF 17



I came across a couple of rolls of this old Agfa film a while back.  The size
on the box is A-8, which is Agfa-ese for 127.  The "17" part of the name is
the film speed in DIN speed, and it correlates to ASA 40 for those of
us more familiar with that standard.





The film is 41 years out of date, and was probably manufactured around 45
years ago.  I have a lot of confidence in this film.  Agfa was (and IS) a top
quality photo materials producer.  The low speed of the film is a plus too.
Slow film stores longer without showing the effects of atmospheric radiation
(gamma rays, I think, but probably lots of others).  X-rays, death rays, sting rays...





The film wrapper and backing paper are in odd, kind of pastel colors.
It comes in a neat embossed tube with a screw on cap.


I used my little Jiffy Kodak V.P. camera for the test.  You get 8 shots
with this camera.  When the film was exposed, I developed in stock D76
for 17 minutes and printed on Agfa paper, naturally



The bridge over the Salmon River from the town of Whitebird to Kilgore's orchards
and the Hammer Creek camping area.  Many bridges around here are like this, just one
lane in width.  You have to wait, and take your turn to cross.  Near the center of this
frame, you can see a light spot, which appears as a dense area on the film.  It didn't
make it 45 years without showing some of the effects of time.





The same bridge seen from a few hundred yards up river.  It's a beautiful
area, but man, is it hot down here in the summer.





One of the Whitebird churches.  There are a lot of older
churches here in my neck of the woods.  Many are very similar
to this one.  Newer churches in the area show less character in
their design.  The viewfinder on the camera is sometimes tricky for
  eyeglass wearers like myself, as you can see from this off center shot.





This church is right across the street from the one in the previous
shot.  I was trying to get a slightly abstract effect here. 
Looks like I missed my mark.





This is the actual grave of one of the U.S. Cavalry soldiers killed
in a battle with the Nez Perce just above the town of Whitebird.
I don't remember the date, but it was in the later 1800s.  The town
is named for a Nez Perce chief.



All in all, this old film did well over the years.  Somehow, it seems to have
acquired an unusual amount of marks and scratches, and I don't know
how that happened, but other than that, it faired pretty well.



www.deansphotographica.com

deanw@bmi.net

4-05

© 2005 Dean Williams