Advice on using (or not!) a 1946 expired film in pinhole camera

Iain P · Feb 28, 2019

Hi all, I've just recently discovered pinhole photography and have made a few cameras which have produced encouraging results (I'll put a few blog post links below in case they are of interest).

I'm just about to take delivery of a 1946 expired Ansco Supreme Pan 120 film, B&W and love the idea of using it to shoot pinhole. I used a 1954 expired film in a standard camera a few months back and the results were great, shooting it at 6 ISO. Presumably I'd need to expose for an extra stop for the extra decade so would shoot it at perhaps 3 ISO. The question is, given reciprocity failure for long exposures combined with the long exposures needed for pinhole imaging, is it too risky to try this experiment?
I suppose I'm asking is there some multiplying effect of very old slow film + long pinhole exposures = complete failure?!

I'll be sending it off to a specialist developer so not worried about how to develop it, just how /whether to shoot it in a pinhole camera.
Thanks for any advice, and if I go ahead I'll post results here.
Iain
The links:
https://fouragesofsand.blogspot.com/2019/02/results-from-mark-3-medium-format.html
https://fouragesofsand.blogspot.com/2019/02/results-from-mark-4-medium-format.html
https://fouragesofsand.blogspot.com/2019/02/results-from-mark-5-curved-plane.html

bunip · Feb 28, 2019

you’re talking about a collector’s item. are you sure you’re using such a rarity?

awty · Feb 28, 2019

Great cameras.
I had some unopened 10x10 sheet film from 46, I got an image but was very blotchy and unusable. If you want blotchy pictures you can do that in photoshop or darkroom. Maybe worth having a play with, you will need to run a test roll to determine exposure times. Expect long exposures.

Iain P · Mar 1, 2019

Thanks guys. That's a good point about it being a collector's item, though I also feel film should be used (if it's possible). I suppose it's a similar dilemma if you have a rare old bottle of wine. It seems a shame to drink it and a shame not to!
Here are the results from the 1954 film:
https://fouragesofsand.blogspot.com/2018/12/film-6-kodak-verichrome-120-film.html

removed account4 · Mar 1, 2019

hi lain p !
i dont' think there is some magic formula to determine what to expose your film. your 10 year rule is a rule of thumb and might be helpful but all depends on teh kind of film and how it was stored so as you know it is a game of risk. just use it and enjoy your self. wht sort of developer do you use ? I hope something that is very active like a print film and plate developer/

best
john

AgX · Mar 1, 2019

bunip said:
you’re talking about a collector’s item. are you sure you’re using such a rarity?

Nothing except for the seal would be destroyed. After processing one could respool it with the backing paper.

Ces1um · Mar 1, 2019

Film is meant to be used and all you'll possibly lose is some photos. Nothing you couldn't go back and redo another day with modern film if it doesn't turn out. I'd shoot it and not think twice. I just wouldn't expect great results from it. Maybe consider making the photo fit the esthetic of the film. Like old timey portraits or barn shots or something.

Andrew O'Neill · Mar 1, 2019

Go for it! And if you got anything, post it here!

Born2Late · Mar 1, 2019

bunip said:
you’re talking about a collector’s item. are you sure you’re using such a rarity?

Yes, keep it as a collector's item.

Iain P · Mar 1, 2019

Thanks for the varying opinions guys! ( I did ask for them, so that's fair enough I'm going to go for it. John, I'm not currently set up for developing at home, and the specialist did such a good job on the 1954 film, I'll pass it over to him. Results posted here, or report of complete failure to follow. At least it will be interesting to see the backing paper afterwards. It was fascinating to open this 104 roll of film, expired 1921, and look at the 5" wide backing paper. Just to be clear, the roll was loose so I did NOT destroy a sealed piece of history here!
https://fouragesofsand.blogspot.com/2018/12/5-wide-104-cartridge-roll-film-expired.html

Steve Roberts · Mar 1, 2019

I recently bought a part 200ft roll of Ilford 35mm film with an expiry date of 1958. I'm part way through running some of through a Fujica ST705 to see what happens (if anything). I don't know what the film is other than the fact that it's Ilford.

Steve

Simon Benton · Mar 1, 2019

I believe 5 inch film is available from Ilford as a special order?

https://www.freestylephoto.biz/1164767-Ilford-FP4+-125-ISO-5-in.-x-50-ft.-Roll-EI

Iain P · Mar 2, 2019

Good luck with that Steve. Ah the Fujica ST605n was my first love and was my only camera for 15 years, back in the day.
Iain

Advice on using (or not!) a 1946 expired film in pinhole camera

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