polaroid time zero print longevity?

Sean · Jun 15, 2005

Hi, I am thinking of having some fun with a polaroid sx-70 and time zero film (for manipulations). I am curious what the lifespan of the prints are, say hinge mounted on archival board and framed in UV glass. I am not sure if we are talking 1-5-10-20 years or more?

David A. Goldfarb · Jun 15, 2005

I can't imagine it's that great. If I were doing these, I would dupe the keepers on 4x5" transparency film for storage and possibly enlargement.

ann · Jun 15, 2005

that is a great suggestion david, i went the other way (SHHHHHHHHHHHH) to make enlargements.

ann · Jun 15, 2005

Sean,
be careful as the lastest edition of this film is not manipulating very well, Polaroid is aware of the problem and are working on resolving the problem.

juan · Jun 15, 2005

I have some time zero prints that have been kept in the dark - a filing cabinet - that are 15-years old. They seem fine. I have another couple of SX-70 shots that are more than 20-years old (not sure if that was time zero or the older SX-70 film) that have been hanging in normal room light (no direct sun) under plexiglas - they look fine to me.

I have other prints that are about 10-years old that have begun to yellow in the white areas. I know that the film was nearing expiration at the time I made the exposures. I think that's the reason for the discoloration. 10-years ago, I could still buy the film at Walmart and Kmart, but the stuff sat on the shelf for a long time.

I'd be sure to get fresh film, but as Ann says, the newest batch seems bad for manipulations.

Shmoo · Jun 15, 2005

Psssst, Ann...Alex...we have another potential convert!!!

Photo Engineer · Jun 15, 2005

The dyes used in Polaroid prints are similar in nature to those used in Ilfochrome prints. The difference is that the rest of the chemicals are also present which may contribute to the longevity of the picture in an integral format.

So, I would guess that peel apart prints would last longer than integral prints, but that is just a guess. My boxes of both types of prints that have been around for nearly 20 years look just fine.

PE

Sean · Jun 15, 2005

wow, had no idea there were issues with the new stuff that's great to know. Any idea what epiration date I should look for?

A potential convert yes I've actually thought about putting together many manipulations of downtown auckland then selling them to tourists. I've never seen a sx-70 manipulation in NZ, so it would be a unique trinket to sell..

Donald Qualls · Jun 15, 2005

What I read over the past week suggests Time-Zero with expirations through March 2006, at least, is okay, but newer film may not be.

Alex Hawley · Jun 15, 2005

Sean said:
A potential convert yes I've actually thought about putting together many manipulations of downtown auckland then selling them to tourists. I've never seen a sx-70 manipulation in NZ, so it would be a unique trinket to sell..

Go for it Sean! I've had the same thing on my mind though about longevity. I'm not so worried about the original print as I am about reproductions. I've printed a couple of mine on watercolor paper using our Canon inkjet printer. But now I read that the Canon ink only lasts about 3-5 years.

I'm somewhat skeptical of any of these longitivity reports. I was thinking about just spraying the repros with Krylon clear matt finish. Anyone have any thoughts on that?

Flotsam · Jun 15, 2005

Sean said:
wow, had no idea there were issues with the new stuff that's great to know.

Sean, let me turn you on to a great internet site where there has already been much discussion on this:
(there was a url link here which no longer exists)
Some say it is the best photography site around

Shmoo · Jun 15, 2005

Flotsam said:
Sean, let me turn you on to a great internet site where there has already been much discussion on this:
(there was a url link here which no longer exists)
Some say it is the best photography site around

toooooo funny!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ann · Jun 15, 2005

the date on the packets i had with the issues was/is 11/05; which is much earlier than someone stated in an earlier comment

Shmoo · Jun 16, 2005

ann said:
the date on the packets i had with the issues was/is 11/05; which is much earlier than someone stated in an earlier comment

That was me, Ann. It looks like we'll have to go by the date and batch number. I have been shooting the 12/05 and 02/06 dated film with no problems. I don't have the batch number for 02/06 film, but the 12/05 film is batch 110448680.

S

Aggie · Jun 16, 2005

November?? Don't tell me that, I just bought a case and half of 12/2005 time zero film today. Now I just need to get the darn camera.

BTW do you store this film in the fridge, or just a cool place?

ann · Jun 16, 2005

the fridge is fine aggie, but not the freezer.

Donald Qualls · Jun 16, 2005

Also best to orient the cases so the film is either flat or on end, not on the long side; storage on edge can result in settling of the chemicals in the pod, which in turn can cause incomplete spreading when the print is ejected. Well, okay, maybe you'll like the effect -- but when I pay $1.50 for a single frame, I want to be sure I get to see all of it...

polaroid time zero print longevity?

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