Polaroid Picture Roll expired 1968

[davido]

I recently made a new acquisition of a Polaroid Land 900 at a garage sale. It came with a box of 3000 speed Picture Roll sealed which expired in 1968!
Is this destined for the polaroid museum or can something fun be done with this? I'm assuming it's dried up and mummified.

-david

 

[amuderick]

I have successfully shot such film in the past. More than once. Here is a link to a photo:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/amuderick/3314645915/

Enjoy it! I shot my at 1 stop below rated speed. I got 5 shots out of 8 that would develop on the last roll.

 

[nickandre]

Why didn't the developer evaporate?

 

[amuderick]

Sometimes it does. Sometimes it doesn't. The developer pod is airtight and has subtle incomplete perforations to guide the breaking point when it goes through the rollers. Over time, this perforation degrades and, if the pod is no longer airtight, it will dry out. Some pods will survive. Others will not.

Color film has other problems related to the deterioration of the dyes used. See this color example from a Polaroid 108 pack that expired in the late 70's (don't remember exactly the date) and was shot in 2006:
http://www.polanoid.net/jump/?to=pictures&pid=163733

Here is another shot of expired rollfilm. This roll expired in 1975: http://www.polanoid.net/jump/?to=pictures&pid=202172

Expired polaroid film is like a box of chocolates...you never know what you're gonna get ;-)

 

[Ektagraphic]

That is awesome!

 

[davido]

I have successfully shot such film in the past. More than once. Here is a link to a photo:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/amuderick/3314645915/

Enjoy it! I shot my at 1 stop below rated speed. I got 5 shots out of 8 that would develop on the last roll.

Amuderick your portrait is fantastic and inspiring! Thank you. I will give it a go.

-david