Outdated Polaroid 665, 669 and 52

Hi,

I know that the polaroid films mentioned in the subject outdate very fast (about 6-10 months since bought fresh). I suppose it is due to the chemicals that may dry and leave the film underdeveloped or not developed at all. Does this appen really? Traditional BW films last for years after their "best before" manufacturer marking. What about Polaroid film? For how much months can be stored without umpredictable results?

Thanks

Since I use Polaroids only rarely, they always seem unpredictable to me. Colour is worse than BW, though - but that could be just because the deterioration is more easily visible. The last time I used a type 55, I had to expose it at EI 8 to get a usable negative. I wonder if the last shet is going to give anything at all?

Ole said:

Since I use Polaroids only rarely, they always seem unpredictable to me. Colour is worse than BW, though - but that could be just because the deterioration is more easily visible. The last time I used a type 55, I had to expose it at EI 8 to get a usable negative. I wonder if the last shet is going to give anything at all?

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This thread is interesting for me also as I have just recently used Polaroid film for the first time. I bought fresh #55pn film and used it within two weeks of purchase. When indoors, it performed like normal B&W film, except that I find the negatives very flimsy.
The next time I used it was outdoors, very cold, one day was -25'C and the next was -30'C. Both times I took Polaroids and also used FP4+ as a comparison. The FP4+ turned out quite well, but the Polaroids even though saved for developing in a warm house and with times as required by Polaroid, showed very uneven exposure, completely different from the Ilford stuff. Does anyone have cold weather experience with this film?
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my experience with color,is that the date is critical, b&w had a bit more wiggle room. have used it a month or so past the posted date, but not later than that

I assume that the Polaroid chemical pack deteriates faster than the film?

Could you process an O/D type 55 neg in say Pyrocat HD?

Barry

If I remember correctly results with polariods are inconsistant in temps below 55F. on cold days I usually keep mine inside my coat to keep them warm and process in a warm place(ie car, home)

The quality of Polaroid film is more depending on the storage condition than the expiration date.

I have used the film still fresh but look like has expired 3 to 4 years. Because the film was stored at some place in Florida.

I have also used the Polaroid film dated 4-5 years ago but still quite usable, other than some managable color shift.

Polaroid negative/positive film 665 and 55 can be developed without using the original Polaroid chemicals so dry out is not a major issue to worry for darkroom users. And being B&W film the color shift is not an issue too.

If the plastic bag containing film is full of air and pop up like a balloom, the chemicals inside could be dried out completely.

Large format Polaroid films, like 55, 59, 559, 572, 553 if stored well, can be used without dry out a few years after the expiration date. Because the quantity of the chemicals in 4x5 or 8x10 format film are a lot more than the medium format so it takes longer time to dry out.