Ilford paper code

[RalphLambrecht]

Thanks Ralph. So if Oct 2004 is 01 then we should be good for deciphering dates until 99 months later which is still over 3 years from now. As long as Ilford don't change the coding system then we should be able to simply start again at 01 in 99 months from Oct 2004. Of course at that point there will be two "01s" but it is unlikely that retailers will still be selling Oct 2004 paper although some e-bay sellers might be! However a simple question such as: "Is this paper many years old?" will still determine which of two possible dates is the correct date.

pentaxuser

You don't have to wait until then to have two '01s'. Ilford is using this system for decades! July 1996 was another '01'. As I said earlier, Kodak was using a similar system for paper. Agfa was using a completely different system. They just printed the use-by-date on the box, and saved us from all this hassle.

Keep in mind, this is the result of my attempt to decipher the code. I may be completely wrong. It's just my guess!

 

[J Rollinger]

My code is 25b503c09 = Nov 2006 Would this be correct? Paper was purchased from Freestyle Sept 2008.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

My code is 25b503c09 = Nov 2006 Would this be correct? Paper was purchased from Freestyle Sept 2008.

Oct 2006 if I'm correct.

Keep in mind, well stored paper is good for many years. Ilford estimates of around 3 years are very conservative in my opinion. I have used paper 5-10 years old with no problem.

By the way, marking the box with the purchase date is a very good idea!

 

[J Rollinger]

Oct 2006 if I'm correct.

Keep in mind, well stored paper is good for many years. Ilford estimates of around 3 years are very conservative in my opinion. I have used paper 5-10 years old with no problem.

By the way, marking the box with the purchase date is a very good idea!

I also have some 11x14 paper with the code starting 92 and it seems to print fine. It was paper i bought in a lot from a craigslist seller.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

92 = Feb, 2004

I got paper much older than that and it prints fine!

 

[J Rollinger]

Ralph, Your avatar scares the sh#t out of me! Every time i see a post from you all i can think of is Anthony Hopkins from "Silence Of The Lambs"

 

[RalphLambrecht]

Ralph, Your avatar scares the sh#t out of me! Every time i see a post from you all i can think of is Anthony Hopkins from "Silence Of The Lambs"

Be afraid. Be very afraid!

 

[hka]

If it's that simple why want Ilford tell us that secret....
Transperancy is all what we need...

 

[RalphLambrecht]

If it's that simple why want Ilford tell us that secret....
Transperancy is all what we need...

Would you buy paper that is 2-3 years old from your dealer if you can get paper which is much younger. Who is he going to sell the older paper to?

 

[fotch]

What if the paper is older than 2 or 3 years old? Does the consumer, the ultimate customer of Ilford, have a right to know?

Put a premium price on new, a stated guarantee on the old. Pricing is a fair way of solving the problem. Any retailer that takes years to turn of their stock is going out of business anyway unless they have a real large margin. I don't believe photo retailing is a high margin business.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

What if the paper is older than 2 or 3 years old? Does the consumer, the ultimate customer of Ilford, have a right to know?

Put a premium price on new, a stated guarantee on the old. Pricing is a fair way of solving the problem. Any retailer that takes years to turn of their stock is going out of business anyway unless they have a real large margin. I don't believe photo retailing is a high margin business.

That would make sense, but I don't think the dealer margins are big enough to provide a meaningful price difference to the consumer. They would always go for the newer paper, just in case.

 

[fotch]

That would make sense, but I don't think the dealer margins are big enough to provide a meaningful price difference to the consumer. They would always go for the newer paper, just in case.

I was thinking of maybe 30%. The program would work better if supported or implemented by Ilford. The dealer should also take a hit and get rid of it. They cannot eat it, pay their electric bill, mortgage, so get the crying towel out and get it over with. Of course, they should adjust the ordering quantity accordingly. If the mfg. only allows for larger minimum orders, try buying form larger dealers or set up a local co-op.

Its a problem for everyone unfortunately.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

I was thinking of maybe 30%. The program would work better if supported or implemented by Ilford. The dealer should also take a hit and get rid of it. They cannot eat it, pay their electric bill, mortgage, so get the crying towel out and get it over with. Of course, they should adjust the ordering quantity accordingly. If the mfg. only allows for larger minimum orders, try buying form larger dealers or set up a local co-op.

Its a problem for everyone unfortunately.

As I explained earlier, Kodak had a similar system. Agfa freely published the expiration dates. Ilford is the only one left of the 'big three'. You can't argue with success, can you?

 

[Ray Rogers]

I was thinking of maybe 30%.

Another price increase
Not an attractive solution!
Better to just keep asking

 

[Ronald Moravec]

First two digits cycle monthly starting at 01 and go to 99 8+ years later. I have lost tract when 01 was, thinking maybe 5/7 years ago.

I would not care about the dates if they quit making paper with a short shelf life to save money.

 

[Ray Rogers]

I would not care about the dates if they quit making paper with a short shelf life to save money.

I was not aware any manufacturer actualy did that.

 

[hka]

Would you buy paper that is 2-3 years old from your dealer if you can get paper which is much younger. Who is he going to sell the older paper to?

No, but I was not able to detect the real production date.
In former threads I already mentioned my concerns about the lack of transparancy at this point. The papers, today, are not cheap and the risk that they sell you an old rol at 127cm width for about €500,=!!! (mind you) is not very customer friendly.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

No, but I was not able to detect the real production date.
In former threads I already mentioned my concerns about the lack of transparancy at this point. The papers, today, are not cheap and the risk that they sell you an old rol at 127cm width for about €500,=!!! (mind you) is not very customer friendly.

I don't think the issue is old paper. The paper is 'good' for many years. The issue, however, could be NOT buying 'older' paper, which could create a problem for dealers and Ilford.

 

[fotch]

I don't think the issue is old paper. The paper is 'good' for many years. The issue, however, could be NOT buying 'older' paper, which could create a problem for dealers and Ilford.

Then a "good to" or "expired date" should be used. Or, if "good forever", put that on the box. I understand the issues for dealers and Ilford, but that doesn't mean ignore the ultimate buyer, the consumer.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

Then a "good to" or "expired date" should be used. Or, if "good forever", put that on the box. I understand the issues for dealers and Ilford, but that doesn't mean ignore the ultimate buyer, the consumer.

Of course, this date depends a lot on the storage conditions, but you're right, it would be helpful, and is what Agfa did.

 

[hka]

I think you know better than me how bad the storage conditions by (most of) the retailers are. So my concern about this is for me a big issue and that's why I want to know of the paper is one year old or three or even more!
Would you pay the full price for a brandnew car, standing for 1 or more years in the showroom??
Or even worse with the price increases from the previous years added. It's a same...

 

[RalphLambrecht]

I think you know better than me how bad the storage conditions by (most of) the retailers are. So my concern about this is for me a big issue and that's why I want to know of the paper is one year old or three or even more!
Would you pay the full price for a brandnew car, standing for 1 or more years in the showroom??
Or even worse with the price increases from the previous years added. It's a same...

Well, I gave you the key. Now, you know how old an Ilford paper is. Next time you order it, ask for paper with a batch number of not lower than ...? I don't know. What paper age are you willing to accept? What is fresh?

 

[fotch]

Of course, this date depends a lot on the storage conditions, but you're right, it would be helpful, and is what Agfa did.

You would expect an authorized retailer knows how to properly store product I don't remember looking at dates on paper when buying, maybe I did and just don't remember. I do all the time in the grocery store.

Anyway, it behooves any retailer to keep the stock moving. Turnover should be several times a year. Anyone that hangs on to stock for several years either has an exceptionally high profit margin, or is going out of business and doesn't know it.

Turn over is more important than profit margin. Discount slow moving product and then adjust the amount to have on hand.

It has become more difficult for brick and mortar stores, many consumers only buy when they need it fast, otherwise, buy mail order. Just the way it is.

 

[hka]

Well, I gave you the key. Now, you know how old an Ilford paper is.

Thanks for that. I appreciate that very much.

Next time you order it, ask for paper with a batch number of not lower than ...? I don't know. What paper age are you willing to accept? What is fresh?

Last week I walked in by a retailer and saw some paper on the self and with the new knowledge I was curious about the production date.
Produced in 1999??? In my opinion this is a "little" to old... and 3 pricetags on it. I removed some and saw the old Dutch guilders price underneath. The €€€€ price was twice or so more.
Just an example of my doubts.

 

[Martin Aislabie]

I don't think the issue is old paper. The paper is 'good' for many years. The issue, however, could be NOT buying 'older' paper, which could create a problem for dealers and Ilford.

I can see why Ilford don't and won't - we are/can be, a paranoid and cantankerous bunch of customers at times

Its not as if paper decays rapidly or suddenly goes from good to bad at 3 years + 1day.

I have paper that is almost 10years old that I cannot tell apart from paper I bought only a few months ago.

Martin