Old SX-70 Time-Zero Film

[Alan9940]

Does anybody have any experience using SX-70 Time-Zero film expired in the mid-1990's? Is the battery any good? I don't expect perfect results, but will I get some kind of image?

Thank you for any help provided.

 

[Theo Sulphate]

I bought many packs of SX-70 Time Zero film around 2005 and am now down to the last few. In my experience the PolaPulse battery does retain enough power to operate the camera and eject the film. However, my packs have been kept refrigerated, which slows down the chemical reaction and preserves battery life (*).

As for the image, that's not as good a story. The colors were washed out and the images had a bronzed appearance. Often the chemicals won't spread properly and you'll get areas of poor development. Oddly though, last summer two of these packs produced perfect color and images.

From the 1990's? Hard to say what you'll get. No harm in trying, as the film has been paid for already.

(*) old car batteries die more often in very hot weather than in cold.

 

[Terry Christian]

If I'm correct, according to the opinions of many Polaroid shooters and as stated by the Film Photography Podcast, all original Polaroid products, regardless of type, are sufficiently old now that none of them are likely to still be viable.

 

[AgX]

It is not only a matter of chemical reaction but rather a matter of drying of the pod content.
Typically one cannot spread it completely between the films.

 

[guyver]

Just bought a pack expired in 98. The pods are all dried out.

 

[Alan9940]

Thanks everyone for the comments.