Film Age

OK-Age old question I suppose. I have a situation with my paralyzed dog that has DM that requires my being with him nearly around the clock. I haven't been able to go anywhere to shoot in months but have a good size stash of various film that the expiration date ends this year...some not until next year.

The older stuff I thought of putting in the fridge as I don't want to loose it due to current circumstances. He'll always be like this until he dies and I can't leave him so, decided to put the film away until another day. I take it the film will keep well after the expiration date if refrigerated...is that a correct assumption?

Sorry to hear about your dog. A great pity we lose them after 15-16 years. Unless your dog has many years to live I'd have thought that film that only expires this year or next year which is kept in the fridge will keep very well. Slow B&W film especially does seem to have quite a long life after what are very conservative expiry dates.

The plain fact is that the dog is more important and all you can do is take the precaution you mention then when the time is right again use film.

Best of luck to you and the dog.

pentaxuser

If it's B/W film, it won't be any problem for a few years past expiration as long as it's at room temp or lower. If you refrigerate or freeze, it may keep for a decade or more.

Color film may be more sensitive to age, but I wouldn't be concerned with anything that's past date a year or less. Refrigeration or freezing will definitely extend the life a few years or more.

I recently shot some C-41 color print film (FujiColor 160) that expired in 2000. I don't know how it was stored, but I don't believe it was refrigerated. Turned out fine.

Sorry to hear about your dog. We lost 2 cats earlier this year, and it's tough to lose them, especially when they've become such a big part of your life.

Bubba is my only family left so, he gets preferential care first as he relies on me to even move to the next room. It's been that way for a year now. Unfortunately, the DM(Degenerative Myleopathy) is progressive and won't get any better. It seems to effect mostly Corgis(what he is), Boxers and GSD.

It's all B&W film such as Tri-X and HP-5 primarily with a dash of 5222 as well.

Hi David. Sorry to hear that your best buddy Bubba is in such a bad way. Tri-X and HP5+ should be good for a while and much longer if refrigerated. Just allow plenty of time for it to come to ambient temperature before you use it. Best take out the day before. Wishing you all the best
John.

Thanks for the responses. I sort of figured it but wanted some input. John, DM is bad stuff as it paralyzes their rear legs, one at a time then it moves to the front ones and finally attacks the respiratory system.

Very sorry to hear about Bubba's condition.

Just another voice to say that keeping B&W film cool will ensure it's fine a few years beyond date....putting it in the fridge ought to give you an extra decade...freezer a good 20-30 years is likely.

Tri-X...I've just used my last roll from a bulk load which expired in 1999 and was "stored" forgotten in my garage for over 12 years. That garage gets very hot even in an English summer, so I can vouch that Tri-X keeps well. HP5+ should too...almost any B&W film will.

Colour films age quicker but even there, the fridge is your friend for 5 years or so...freezer for a decade.