A question for those who shoot expired film

Frank Dean,  Blacksmith

A
Frank Dean, Blacksmith

  • 5
  • 3
  • 45
Woman wearing shades.

Woman wearing shades.

  • 0
  • 1
  • 52
Curved Wall

A
Curved Wall

  • 5
  • 0
  • 81
Crossing beams

A
Crossing beams

  • 9
  • 1
  • 104
Shadow 2

A
Shadow 2

  • 5
  • 1
  • 75

Recent Classifieds

Forum statistics

Threads
198,840
Messages
2,781,684
Members
99,725
Latest member
saint_otrott
Recent bookmarks
0

runswithsizzers

Subscriber
Joined
Jan 19, 2019
Messages
1,758
Location
SW Missouri, USA
Format
Multi Format
Short version: What EI (exposure index) should I use for some old Kodak Portra 400 VC that has been in the freezer for 11 years?
--
I just found a few 35mm rolls of Kodak Portra 400 VC that have been in my freezer since April of 2010. I believe the film was probably "in date" when I put in the freezer.

I have not shot any Portra 400 recently, but I have been getting good results shooting Portra 160 at or near box speed - some I shot at EI 125. So my first inclination would be to try the 400 at EI 320. But - maybe the older film would benefit from more exposure? Something like EI 200, maybe?

If it makes any difference, I doubt the negatives will be used to make darkroom prints. The negatives will be copied with my digital camera and post-processing will be done in Lightroom/Photoshop.

Thank you.
 

removed account4

Subscriber
Joined
Jun 21, 2003
Messages
29,832
Format
Hybrid
I don't typically shoot expired color film but the general rule of thumb is 1 stop of light extra for every decade in storage ..
have fun !
John
 

MattKing

Moderator
Moderator
Joined
Apr 24, 2005
Messages
52,944
Location
Delta, BC Canada
Format
Medium Format
I would probably expose it normally.
You are more likely to see changes in colour and saturation (not so much VC) than outright speed.
This is on frozen, expired by a few years Portra 160:
 

Sirius Glass

Subscriber
Joined
Jan 18, 2007
Messages
50,364
Location
Southern California
Format
Multi Format
I have shot Portra 400, VC 400 and UltraColor 400 that were over 11 years old but kept in the freezer the whole time at box speed without ever having a problem. Same results for black & white. Now if they were laying around in the attic or car glove box MMV
 
Photrio.com contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.
To read our full affiliate disclosure statement please click Here.

PHOTRIO PARTNERS EQUALLY FUNDING OUR COMMUNITY:



Ilford ADOX Freestyle Photographic Stearman Press Weldon Color Lab Blue Moon Camera & Machine
Top Bottom