1993 Ektachrome 160T worth shooting?

StorminMatt · Jan 22, 2012

Back in November of 2010, I got five rolls of frozen 1993 K25 from craigslist. Along with the deal, I also got three rolls of Ektachrome 160T tungsten film. The K25 turned out Really good. So I assume that all the film was properly stored over the years. I've been wondering recently if I should even bother with the 160T, or just throw it away. Does anyone here know whether it is generally a stable film? Or does it tend to experience color shifts even with proper storage?

zsas · Jan 22, 2012

I shot some that was about that same vintage and it came out, but I cross processed it in c41, so the shifts, if any had been amplified since I didnt have it processed in E6. Give it a try, the changes, if any, can be fun

tbeaman · Jan 22, 2012

Whatever you do don't just throw it away. Whenever I hear that it gives me reflux.

zsas · Jan 22, 2012

So true tbea - OP don't toss it! Tungsten film when shot outside and then crossed has a beauty all it's own, below is a 64t that was crossed and rehaled..

wonderlustking · Jan 22, 2012

tbeaman said:
Whatever you do don't just throw it away. Whenever I hear that it gives me reflux.

yeah if you don't want it I'll take it.

Richard S. (rich815) · Jan 22, 2012

Ha. I just stumbled across a roll of 400 Ektachrome expired in '89 in the back of my freezer and was wondering how likely it is to be good...

ricardo12458 · Jan 24, 2012

I am currently going through a stack of old Ektachrome 100HC film from 1988/1990. It's not too bad after ~24 years, slight pink tinge, even after colour correction (yes, hybrid; I recently printed some of the pictures, the only practical way to print slides is to digitise them, sad, I know).

Here's one:

And another, which actually looks better after colour correction:

The leaves of the tree fell off 3 days after I shot this. (18/12/11)

Not too bad overall. I am not a big fan of cross processing. Not my cup of tea, I suppose.

-R

Roger Cole · Jan 25, 2012

It's not the only practical way, digitizing. There's still some Ilfochrome (the last batch) and it's possible and practical (but a lot more trouble) to make internegatives. But scanning is certainly the easiest way these days.

railwayman3 · Jan 25, 2012

I've used films up to 20 years old with negligible loss of quality. Recently shot an Orwo color neg film, the last batch of C-41 dated 1992 before the factory closed, and the prints are indistinguisable from in-date Kodak taken at the same time.
The film was refridgerated most of the time, but had then been in bottom of one of my camera bags for at least a couple of years.

(But, obviously, don't use anything other than fresh film for your daughter's wedding....the possible consequences don't bear thinking about! )

phirehouse · Feb 2, 2012

Old film is fun...shoot it up.

labyrinth photo · Feb 2, 2012

if it's been frozen it should be fine whichever process you choose. maybe clip the first roll and if e6 isn't looking good you can cross-pro and get a good lookin' image. ept crosses really nicely.

Roger Cole · Feb 2, 2012

I've bought expired film off forums and eBay. So far, almost all of it has been fine. But I bought some 35mm Elitechrome 400, supposedly frozen since new, off eBay though and two rolls have consistently been bad. Muted, pastel looking colors and more grain than one would expect. It might actually be good for some subjects but I refuse to use it any more for general shooting (besides, Provia 400 is so good. Now if someone would make a 400 speed slide film with color and contrast like the lamented Astia or E100G...and type R paper...ah, to dream...)

I don't know whether to toss it, offer to give it away for shipping, or try cross processing it. I've never done cross processing and seen some interesting results. That might be fun.

1993 Ektachrome 160T worth shooting?

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