exposing ektar 25 -- expired 1998

mhanc · Jul 12, 2017

i have come across some 120 format ektar 25, 1998 expiry but frozen since purchase. given there are only a few rolls, i want to try to make the most them. so my inclination would be to take the first roll and simply expose the same scene at multiple ISOs -- 25, 12 and 6 -- and then process normally. the other rolls could then be shot based on the results.

however, any guidance from those having more experience with this film as well as long-expired films in general would be greatly appreciated. several specific questions...

1. as a baseline from which to start, how would you shoot this film if it were fresh -- box speed?

2. any universally applicable exposure adjustments for a film which expired 20 years ago? i would think no, with each roll being unique based upon its storage history.

3. finally, any processing adjustments you would recommend or just go with normal c-41 processing?

thanks for the help!!

pentaxpete · Jul 12, 2017

I had some Kodak Ektar 25 in my fridge for years -- then I tried it when it was 'Sunny' and found 16 ASA was good. I used a couple of cameras, a 1975 Asahi Pentax KX and a Canon FTBn -- I attach some results ---
Canon FTbn , 200mm SSC Canon lens at f5.6

Ektar 25 07 by Peter Elgar, on Flickr
50mm FD Canon lens at f2.8

Ektar 25 02 by Peter Elgar, on Flickr
Asahi Pentax KX 1975 era : 135mm f2.8 Vivitar lens

Ektar 25 09 by Peter Elgar, on Flickr
KX + 24mm f2.8 Carl Zeiss Jena lens I got for £10.00

Ektar 25 11 by Peter Elgar, on Flickr

kruiwagen · Jul 13, 2017

1. as a baseline from which to start, how would you shoot this film if it were fresh -- box speed?

If it were fresh, I would shoot it at box speed. Since it's a color negative film, which already can handle overexposure quite well, I would shoot it below box speed. Especially since it has been expired. I shot my Ektar 25 (expired around 1994 I beleive) at ISO 8.

2. any universally applicable exposure adjustments for a film which expired 20 years ago? i would think no, with each roll being unique based upon its storage history.

I didn't do any exposure adjustments apart from the ISO setting

3. finally, any processing adjustments you would recommend or just go with normal c-41 processing?

I developed normally, apart from making some mistakes in development, the pictures came out nice. I will post some results later

Cholentpot · Jul 13, 2017

I have a handful of these in the freezer. I mixed the frozen since new with the unknown stored. I've not shot them yet. Maybe I'll go for a roll or two before summer is out.

MattKing · Jul 13, 2017

IIRC, PE has posted that one of the reasons this film was discontinued is that it had poor keeping qualities.
So have fun, but don't use it for anything important.

kruiwagen · Jul 13, 2017

Here is an example of the Ektar 25 I shot:

[url=https://flic.kr/p/Vqhvtd]

Self portrait by steam freak, on Flickr[/URL]

mhanc · Jul 13, 2017

thanks for all the help and wonderful examples!

from the suggestions and thoughts here, i think i will just take the first roll and shoot each scene at ASA 25, 12 and 6 with normal c-41 processing. the results should indicate how to expose the other rolls... hopefully my film is in as good a shape as that shown here.

kruiwagen · Jul 13, 2017

It's always a risk to shoot expired film. I've also seen examples from a film that went bad, so it's really hard to predict on forehand. But it's always good to inform yourself.

trendland · Jul 21, 2017

Remarkable shots in any case - and notice this kind of saturation.
Well - pentaxpete but we also have to say the motives you shot has a natural highly saturation of colors.
It is a trick of

trendland · Jul 21, 2017

Sorry : It is a trick of film manufacturers often used for advertising! Natural highly
saturated motives to cover out the saturation from new emulsions.
So you are in concern with "unfaire" methods .....
(Just a little joke)

Very nice pictures to show Ektar25 potential ! ! !

with regards

exposing ektar 25 -- expired 1998

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