118 rolls of expired film

[ChristopherCoy]

A year or so ago I was given 118 rolls of expired film that had been in a friends fridge since purchase. I've just gotten around to taking an inventory, and this is what I have.

Can any of you shed light on what these films are best used for? Or what were they known for? Do I have any "jewels"?

30 rolls - Kroger Brand (Ferrania) 200asa C41 11/2005
17 rolls - Kroger Brand (Ferrania) 400asa C41 11/2005
3 rolls - Fujichrome Sensia 100asa E6 4/97
10 rolls- Fujicolor Press 1600asa C41 Unk. Exp.
2 rolls - Fujicolor Super HRII 100asa C41 Unk. Exp.
2 rolls - Prestige by Agfa 200asa C41 Unk.Exp.
2 rolls - Fuji Superia 100asa C41 Unk. Exp.
1 roll - Walgreens Studio 35 400asa C41 Unk. Exp.
1 roll - Kodak Gold 200asa C41 Unk. Exp.
2 rolls - Fuji Provia 100asa E6 12/97, 7/97
2 rolls - Fujichrome 100asa E6 06/94
1 roll - Kodak Elite Chrome 200asa E6 Unk. Exp.

 

[markbarendt]

All the C41 films are pretty generic.

That isn't a bad thing, it just means they provide good normal results as a class. This is actually one of the joys of C41, to a large extent the maker doesn't matter that much.

My rules of thumbs for older generic C41 films:
* I avoid underexposure, plenty happy at box speed though
* I process normally
* I do not expect perfect color fidelity with the rest of my work and I embrace the personality of each roll.

 

[trythis]

The fujipress 1600 would be better suited for ebay to let a Lomography fan pay you for it. I tested a roll recently and it was pretty aweful. The old slide film will be junk most likely too.


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[Fixcinater]

Agree with trythis on the Fujipress, but the slide should be good. Maybe not perfect (but if you were after perfection you wouldn't even be considering shooting any of this, would you?) but definitely worth a go.

 

[Athiril]

If you DIY than overcome the fog in E6 film
(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

 

[railwayman3]

If the films have really been fridged for the whole of their life, I'd be fairly optimistic that the C41 would be usable. Possible exceptions might be the Fujicolor Press, though I've never used that film...just surmising on the basis of the speed. Be a bit cautious with the films of unknown expiry, but, if they're similar dates to the Kroger/Ferrania, you might be OK.

I've used fridged film up from 2000 onwards (and some 1980's Kodachrome!) with no problems, the only issue I've had was some 2005 Agfa APS 200ASA tried out recently....rather soft and milky prints, but should be correctable by scanning. And, to be fair, that film was given to me ny a friend who said it had turned up at the back of a cupboard.

 

[Paul Howell]

I'd be fairly optimistic that the C41 would be usable. Possible exceptions might be the Fujicolor Press, though I've never used that

I agree that the Fujicolor press it is a high speed film and most likely to have fog issues.

 

[markbarendt]

To the naysayers on the Fujicolor 1600 film, yeah it may have a bit of fog but, so what?

It's a matter of expectations, sure if you are shooting portraits for money and the client expects perfect color and exposure then buy some fresh Portra 160 or 400 and don't mess with any of these.

But, there are 10 rolls of fun there to be had. 10 rolls of trying dumb stuff just to see what works. 10 rolls of learning to develop C41 (if the op hasn't already learned).

Even if there is fog they could be shot at 800 or even 400 to overcome that.

To me those rolls look like a chance to get creative.

 

[bvy]

Shoot the Fujicolor 1600 at 400 and process normally. A few years back, I ordered two boxes (40 rolls?) of then-expired Superia 1600, 12 exposure rolls. When I want to test a camera or need film for some quick snapshots, this is what I use. The scans look horrible, but the prints look great. I'll post something later.

 

[bvy]

A couple shots taken on Superia 1600, expired probably around 2008, and printed in the darkroom (on Fuji Crystal Archive paper). These were shot at 400. You expect (and get!) some grain, but I wasn't disappointed with them.

 

[trythis]

The last press 1600 I shot at 200 came out dark and you could sand wood with it it was so grainy. I wouldn't use it to learn processing because you wouldn't know if you're processing for the film was bad. People buy the stuff on eBay every day, and I'd rather have one quarter of the amount of fresh portra then all of that film, so I'd sell it all!!
You have enough to test several ISO ratings on a roll then decide to use it or sell it.


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[markbarendt]

A couple shots taken on Superia 1600, expired probably around 2008, and printed in the darkroom (on Fuji Crystal Archive paper). These were shot at 400. You expect (and get!) some grain, but I wasn't disappointed with them.

Fun.