How old is too old (film)?

[GRHazelton]

A tip don't try loading the free end, undo the film and load the taped end into the reel first that's usually much easier.

Ian

Good idea. The taped end - just tear it away from the backing paper, NOT from the film, will stiffen the film a bit to make loading a little easier, at least with Paterson reels. BTW, Paterson reels must be totally dry before loading. Good luck!

 

[derelict]

If it's less than 10 years you should be able to shoot it anywhere between 200 and 400 and still get good results.

I normally use Portra 160 and 400 and meter it at half box speed and then for the shadows so it is pretty much at least two stops over exposed. The roll of 220 is at least 6 or so years old as it is Portra 400VC in 220 which was phased out when, 2010 or so? It has been kept at below 34 degrees all of its life so I was going to meter it at around 100 iso.

 

[Harry Stevens]

I shot some expired Sept 1978 Tri-X 120 at 250 ASA last month with no problems at all,only problem I have is only four rolls left.

 

[etn]

I know this isn't much help to the OP
[...] so 4 generations of our family on one film spanning 32 years.

A great story nevertheless! Thanks for sharing!

 

[Agulliver]

B&W film survives very well. I've recently finished off a bulk roll of the old Tri-X which was "stored" in my garage for 15 years, and which actually expired in 1999. Every roll near perfect. OK I wouldn't have chosen this film for a really important project, but to be honest even in the variable temperatures in the garage it's survived perfectly well.

I have some Ilford HP5+ motion picture film which expired in 1995 which still gives excellent results in a still camera, it exhibits no real change in sensitivity but has a small level of base fog. I'm still shooting Efka KB25 that I bought back in 2003 and which has been stored in a cupboard...it's behaving exactly like new.

The oldest colour negative film I've used was probably 12-13 years out of date, it exhibited a slight colour shift towards red and 1 stop less sensitivity but produced some nice photos nonetheless.

Of course I buy new film, as I feel more confident shooting it....but don't waste a sealed film unless it is at least 40 years old...and even then you might find you can take photographs with it.