Spotmatic with film from ebay

[adent]

I am not sure if anyone has run into this question before. I recently received a Spotmatic from ebay with a half exposed roll of film in it. I shot the rest of the film. None of my shots are of any consequence, just testing the camera and such. My question is as to whether or not to get the roll of film developed since I have no idea what is on the first half of the roll. Has any one else run into this?

[luisalegria]

All the time, when buying used cameras.

Each time you have to decide whether its worth the trouble or expense or having the roll processed, because its likely that it was inadvertently exposed by someone during its life.

I have processed a couple of them. One always hopes that they have something interesting, but no such luck for me. Other peoples vacation shots, with no way to identify them even to return their pictures.

[peterqd]

Yes, although I didn't complete shooting the roll. I had the film developed and emailed a couple of the pics to the seller. It turned out the film wasn't his, and he didn't know where the camera had come from so the pics were wasted, but at least I felt my conscience was clear.

[kansalliskala]

There is a thread about this already but can't find it because of this ¤#%&¤ search engine.

My view is you can't publish them and send back to only original shooter.

I once found lost photos in a furniture, just people dancing and celebrating. But if that was aunt Elma dancing with uncle Ruben and nobody ever knew they had a secret affair. I can't take such responsibility to stir up something long since gone.

[adent]

I'm more worried that there might be something illegal on the roll. I don't want to take the roll to the local drug store and have the police show up saying that I was producing child porn or torturing a cat or something. That is what concerns me about not knowing what is on the roll.

[Attila]

[Big Dawg]

[adent]

I think that will be my course of action. I am curious about what is on the roll, but I also know how my luck usually goes.

[Excalibur]

[Attila]

[adent]

Well the lead is already back in the roll. How do you go about getting it back out?

[Attila]

[Excalibur]

[cooltouch]

If you're concerned about the film's contents, then just have it developed but no prints made. I seriously doubt the photo tech is gonna pay attention to the negatives -- only the prints. When you get the film home, assuming you own a scanner, scan the images to find out what they are about. Chances are most likely that they will be of no consequence.

[Joosep]

I always develop the role in the camera.
If something worthwhile comes out, I scan and send files to the seller.

Curiosity didnt kill the photographer.