Does Ilford Pan F Not Keep Particularly Well (Long Term Frozen) Despite Slow ASA?

Andre Noble · Sep 13, 2012

Hello,

I've read else here or on Photo.net or Large format Forum that Ilford Pan F, despite being a very low ASA B&W film does not keep as long as one would expect for such a slow, traditional emulsion B&W film. Also was in Freestyle retail last week in Hollywood and clerk randomly mentioned same thing in general discussion of freezing film for long term, per his experience.

Anyone else here something along these lines as well?

summicron1 · Sep 13, 2012

as i said elsewhere, i bought 100 feet of expired pan f in about 1978 and put it in the freezer. It is now 2012 and last year I thawed it out and put it in the bulk loader.

it still works great. no fog, no problem.

zsas · Sep 13, 2012

I use my PanF+ so fast that it is gone months before expiry that I never consider freezing it....I am more just in time when it comes to film.....

Kevin Kehler · Sep 13, 2012

I have a stash I purchased in 2005, kept frozen but no problems with the roll I developed last week. A bit more base fog than new but nothing that is noticeable without having new/old film side-by-side and even then, it has to be pointed out.

Andre Noble · Sep 13, 2012

Summicron1, yes i remember seeing your post on Pan F as well. Your results are more in line with what one would expect. Still interested in other's feedback on long term freezing experience with Ilford Pan F. Thanks...

Kevin, I am surprised that you're additional base fog only 7 years out.

Andy, sounds like you use a lot of it. Is it your favorite?

polyglot · Sep 13, 2012

The emulsion itself keeps very well (no fog or loss of sensitivity that I've seen within a couple years of expiry), but the latent image in Pan-F keeps very poorly. You need to develop it within a few weeks to avoid measurable image loss and if you leave it a year, your images will be gone.

zsas · Sep 13, 2012

It is fast becoming my number 1 fav film. It is beautiful! I use it a ton with a medium yellow filter, just beautiful. Very affordable too!

Roger Cole · Sep 13, 2012

I have some I shot about six weeks ago and immediately popped in the fridge because I knew I couldn't get to it right away. I hope to develop it this weekend. I'll let you know if that worked out ok.

I like it too, though I don't use that much of it because I usually need more speed.

pgomena · Sep 13, 2012

I've had no problems at all with PanF+ 120 that's lived in my freezer for the past 7years. It's all in its original cellophane bricks, unopened. (I bought it back when it was rumored PanF+ was going to be discontinued. Lo and behold, it's still around.) Expiration date is April, 2006. I still have two bricks to go . . .

I would think keeping a big roll in a bulk loader in the freezer would likely cause some problems with moisture during storage, thawing, re-freezing, etc.

cmacd123 · Sep 13, 2012

I have been using up some Pan -f from a 200ft 35mm roll of Pan-f Movie negative, which I keep refrigerated as I don't trust freezing open rolls of Film. Still looks good (I don't use too much of that slow a film)

The Miovie film was discontimued when Ilford re-organized and I bought it as recently outdated back then.

No doubt my saying this will confirm to Simon the wisdom of Harmon policy of not offering Motion stock any-more. (and I would love it if Pan-f and FP4 negative were sold in 16mm for
my Filmo.

cliveh · Sep 13, 2012

I use Pan F sometimes in my Hasselblad and although I keep colour film in the fridge, I keep black & white in a cupboard and I have never kept any film in a freezer.

georg16nik · Sep 13, 2012

Andre,
You should not have issues with Pan F+ in medium format when frozen, if the film was stored properly before You got it.

tony lockerbie · Sep 13, 2012

The only problem that I have had with somewhat older Pan F is curling. Also, the frame numbers are very indistinct on my Pan F, anyone else noticed this?

georg16nik · Sep 13, 2012

tony lockerbie said:
The only problem that I have had with somewhat older Pan F is curling. Also, the frame numbers are very indistinct on my Pan F, anyone else noticed this?

Pan F or Pan F + ?
Never had a curling with any of them.

Kevin Kehler · Sep 13, 2012

Andre Noble said:
Kevin, I am surprised that you're additional base fog only 7 years out.

It really is very minor and is insufficient to notice when printing or to force me to adjust times. It is also possible that I left the roll for too long before developing or left it in the car on a hot day, all of which would affect it (I don't think I did these things but you never know). Until I shoot and develop the next roll, there is no way of knowing if it was a one-off event or if it truly is base fog starting to develop.

I shoot primarily medium-format and keep my primary stash in the freezer, taking out about a month's worth to place in the fridge at a time; I wouldn't keep 35mm in the freezer due to concerns about moisture. I then let it warm up overnight on the counter before shooting. I would have no problem buying any Ilford, Kodak or Fuji film for long-term storage, just realize the limitations and adjuster. I have some 10-year old TXP I add 10% development time to in order to get the same contrast as my fresh rolls - it all works, I just have to know what I am doing.

polyglot · Sep 13, 2012

tony lockerbie said:
The only problem that I have had with somewhat older Pan F is curling. Also, the frame numbers are very indistinct on my Pan F, anyone else noticed this?

That's because the latent image is so unstable.

hoffy · Sep 13, 2012

polyglot said:
That's because the latent image is so unstable.

Well, that explains a lot then! The first time I used PanF, I have to admit that I was totally un-impressed as the negs were really thin. This was a roll that probably sat in the camera for a while, so this all makes sense.

clayne · Sep 14, 2012

I've never seen anything conclusive to support all the data on poor latent image keeping other than hearsay.

polyglot · Sep 14, 2012

I have observed it directly. You can count that as hearsay if you like or whatever.

It's still awesome film; you just can't leave it on the shelf for ages after exposure.

Roger Cole · Sep 14, 2012

But what if you refrigerate it after exposure?

I have some I exposed the week of July 23rd that I stashed in the fridge. I'm planning to develop it this weekend. We'll see. Not a very long time but close to eight weeks and probably not optimal either.

tony lockerbie · Sep 15, 2012

Interesting about the latent image. Most of the Pan F+ that I use is still fresh but has very faint numbers,and yes, I develop it for long enough. The numbers on FP4+ are quite dark and distinct. The curling is only present on out of date film, and it really does curl!
Still my favourite low speed film and is really nice in Rodinal 1:50.

Does Ilford Pan F Not Keep Particularly Well (Long Term Frozen) Despite Slow ASA?

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