26th June 2009, 02:14 PM
Frankly the 'indefinate' preservation of chemically based prints and negs is overrated in my opinion. A lot of the reconnaissance taken during and after the war has now deterioriated, and is some cases, the print is still pretty good while the neg has deteriorated beyond a point of no return...
However, reconnaissance is generally produced PDQ, without necessarily the right care and attention to the developing process. Silver nitrate on glass is more or less eternal, but medium format is a pain. Modern stuff is probably better, but its only as good as the conditions that its archived in.
I was under the impression that archivally stable ink is being developed, but like Kevin, I can't see archaeologists adopting 'new' digital technology any time soon.
However, reconnaissance is generally produced PDQ, without necessarily the right care and attention to the developing process. Silver nitrate on glass is more or less eternal, but medium format is a pain. Modern stuff is probably better, but its only as good as the conditions that its archived in.
I was under the impression that archivally stable ink is being developed, but like Kevin, I can't see archaeologists adopting 'new' digital technology any time soon.