Film expiration date question

pschauss · Sep 22, 2006

I have a 100 foot roll of Plus-X with an expiration date of 5/2007. Since I already have a partially used roll in my bulk loader with an earlier expiration date it is unlikely that I will finish the second roll before next May. If I freeze it now, will I effectively stop the clock on the film, giving me an additional 8 months from whenever I take it out of the freezer or is the film so close to the end of its usefull life that freezing it now will not make a difference?

I have had the film for about a year and during most of that time it has been stored at room temperature.

Dave Parker · Sep 22, 2006

I would put it in the freezer and not worry about it, I have films in my freezer that expired 3-4 years ago and have pulled them out, loaded and never had any problems at all..so, you should have no problems at all.

Dave

raucousimages · Sep 22, 2006

Ditto. I have frozen films 5 years out of date with no problems. Last year I shot some 5X7 that expired in 1957. It was realy messed up with pin holes and streaks but the result was cool. Don't wory about a couple of months.

removed account4 · Sep 22, 2006

i've been using 10-past date unfrozen-room stored tri-x with no problems, i wouldn't worry about it ...

copake_ham · Sep 22, 2006

Freeze it and it should be fine. But don't forget you've got it in there! More than once I've "forgotten" what's in the freezer and bought more film. If you do that often enough you will always have a lot of outdated film!

Gerald Koch · Sep 22, 2006

Freezing does not stop the clock but does slow it down. With age film loses some of its original speed and gains fog. Each brand of film is different. However, in general, the slower the ISO speed the longer it will last. For example, Ilford Pan F+ will last longer than HP5+.

The temperature of the freezer also has an effect. I know that Agfa stored their film at -9C for the best compromise between quality and energy cost.

htmlguru4242 · Sep 22, 2006

No problem at all; that stuff should last at least 3 or 4 years past its expiration date even not in the freezer;

JLP · Sep 22, 2006

Know this is in relation to B&W film so forgive me for posting. A friend recently gave me a good stach of Kodak Ektachrome EPR120 that he had kept in the freezer but no longer needed due to this camera thing that dont need film. I shot a test rool and to my eyes it looks fine. The expiration date is 04/1990
Don't worry..

Whiteymorange · Sep 23, 2006

I just processed a roll of Pan X that expired in 1963. No real problems. I also have 100' of Plus X from the same period. Again, the rolls I've developed are remarkably normal. Bit slower but pretty clear and sharp.
These were never refrigerated but stored in their original bulk cans in a cellar since the early 60's.

Ya' nevah know, as they say here in Boston.

Film expiration date question

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