Expired Ilford HP3 Film

[brenjacques]

Hi, I have recently purchased some Ilford HP3 120 format film that expired in the early 1960's. I don't normally shoot on 120 and the only cameras I have are a Brownie Cresta or a Ensign folding camera. I think that the ensign would be the best option as it has two aperture but I need your guys opinions to help me in deciding if it is suitable. The film was originally rated at ASA 400 (minimum exposure). Looking at the shutter of the ensign, it seems to operate at approx. 1/40 and the two aperture settings look to be close to f.9.6 and f.6.8 (marked ordinary light and bright light). I am just unsure of whether this is still likely to overexpose the film or whether it will be fine. I would prefer to use the brownie as I would get more photos from the film but I also think that this camera would underexpose it as it only has one set aperture setting (f.14) and a shutter speed of 1/40 sec.
If you could help then that'd be great!
Regards

 

[Trask]

I have no experience with either of our cameras, so cannot address that issue. I only wish to provide a warning that 120 film is held to the paper backing with adhesive tape, which in the course of the past 50 years may have dried out. I had that happen to be with some 127 film, with the result that the leading edge of the film was free to go anywhere except where it was supposed as the film ran through the camera. Good luck -- I hope to hear how you fared.

 

[gone]

Sadly, my guess is that its not going to matter much which camera you use w/ film that expired.

 

[Richard S. (rich815)]

I have a 35mm bulk roll of HP3 that expired 07/63. I bought it off eBay because that's my month and year of birth. I shot some and got some fairly decent results considering how old it is. Shot at ASA 12. Very grainy and poor tonality but it has its unique charm. I'll post an example later when I get home.

 

[trythis]

I dont think you can overexpose film that old unless you use bulb mode.

I have a thread on some Tri-X 320 ( expired in 1969 ) that i am trying to find a development technique that will allow me to shoot it at EI 64. So far its ok outdoors but worthless inside even with flash.

Expect decent results at EI 12 or 25 at best.

You're real task is getting a developer and technique that reduces fog without losing too much film speed.

How many rolls do you have? I have 400 feet of 35mm and have plenty for testing. If you have 4 or 5 I would recommend making test strips of one roll to see what works best.

Typos made on a tiny phone...

 

[brenjacques]

Thanks for the help guys. I do only the one roll of film so I think I will buy a more advanced camera than a simple folding camera. I do also have some FP4 exp.1981 that should be okay in this camera. I am interested to see what results I will get from it!
Regards

 

[Richard S. (rich815)]

You don't need a more advanced camera. Just meter as if it's a 12 speed film not a 400 speed.

 

[brenjacques]

Hi, I am going to use this film soon and just wondered if anyone knows of the best method for developing a film this old?
Cheers

 

[Richard S. (rich815)]

Hi, I am going to use this film soon and just wondered if anyone knows of the best method for developing a film this old?
Cheers

Here are examples I shot with HP3 dated with an expiration date of 07/1963! I shot @50 in my Contax G2 and developed in HC-110 dilution H for 7 minutes and 15 seconds at 22C with agitation 3 times each minute. Scanned on a Nikon 4000 scanner:

 

[Richard S. (rich815)]

These at with my Leica MP with 75/2.5 Color-Heliar lens in HC-110 dilution H for 6 minutes at 24C agitation every 1minute for 5 seconds:

 

[Richard S. (rich815)]

WARNING though, some did come out like this below, so your mileage may vary: