Provia 100F

shutterboy · Jun 23, 2014

I was able to find a bulk roll of Provia 100F expired in 05/12. The seller claims that the roll has been frozen and professionally stored. He is expecting 119$ for the roll. I know this is a vague question but what are the chances that the roll is not good any more?

Also, the shipping would be in normal box which will be unfrozen in the process. How good is the chance that the film might be damaged while shipping? Also, are there any caveats I should be aware of during re-freezing?

Thanks

Poisson Du Jour · Jun 23, 2014

shutterboy said:
I was able to find a bulk roll of Provia 100F expired in 05/12. The seller claims that the roll has been frozen and professionally stored. He is expecting 119$ for the roll. I know this is a vague question but what are the chances that the roll is not good any more?

Also, the shipping would be in normal box which will be unfrozen in the process. How good is the chance that the film might be damaged while shipping? Also, are there any caveats I should be aware of during re-freezing?

Thanks

If it has been frozen and not frequently removed-thawed-refrozen-removed-thawed, it should be fine. It has better stability than the Velvias, though descended from their palette and 'toned down'. I have Provia 100F (also Velvia 100F, which I have long disliked) from 2005 in frozen storage; it will be used in my 6x17 eventually. Nothing to worry about with shipping the film will not retard that quickly!!
Provia 100F can be a little 'cold'for me in some lighting conditions; I routinely use a Skylight 1B (light pink) filter.

darkroom_rookie · Jun 24, 2014

I've developed Provia 100F sheet film with 2003-6 exp.dates that was frozen, thawed, carried around in bags, transported across the world, refrozen, rethawed and kept in holders for a while, possibly all of the above. It was just fine. I couldn't agree more with the previous poster, though - it can get a bit cold. The photographers I developed the films for in my Jobo/Chrome6X system definitely metered, filtered and exposed it properly. Have a few warming filters with you when you shoot.

Xmas · Jun 24, 2014

If it is in metal can it should be ok - but 119 USD Id not think about.

If it is cardboard box and unsealed bag Id not think about.

Id not freeze film 5C in fridge best - it is the Goldilocks syndrome.

shutterboy · Jun 24, 2014

Xmas said:
If it is in metal can it should be ok - but 119 USD Id not think about.

If it is cardboard box and unsealed bag Id not think about.

Id not freeze film 5C in fridge best - it is the Goldilocks syndrome.

It is in a metal can. Do you think 119 USD is a bit too much for it? I believe a 100' roll will split up into 18 cassettes so, the per cassette price comes to 6.6$ for film and another 1.4$ for cassette, a total of 8$ vs 10.51$ for a factory load. Do you think it is still not worth it?

Thanks so much for answering.

Xmas · Jun 24, 2014

Difficult to give a value judgement I have got the bulk of my bulk or cine from

people going digital
remaindered in brick shops

most I've payed yet 50GBP for 100 foot

Zip lock and fresh ovened bag of silica gel ...

destroya · Jun 24, 2014

i have used 2 of the cans you are talking about and have 3 more in cold storage. all the frames I have shot came out perfect.

lxdude · Jun 24, 2014

darkroom_rookie said:
I couldn't agree more with the previous poster, though - it can get a bit cold.

That happens in the freezer...

lxdude · Jun 24, 2014

shutterboy said:
It is in a metal can. Do you think 119 USD is a bit too much for it? I believe a 100' roll will split up into 18 cassettes so, the per cassette price comes to 6.6$ for film and another 1.4$ for cassette, a total of 8$ vs 10.51$ for a factory load. Do you think it is still not worth it?

The difference is $45.18. To you, is it worth the time and risk? (Risk= bad film, loading mistake.) If you've bulk loaded before and are confident you can avoid problems like scratches, and it's worth the savings, OK. I think the film is probably fine. I assume the metal can is sealed?
You could save some more money by using a smaller number of cassettes-- loading part of the bulk roll at a time while reusing cassettes.

onnect17 · Jun 25, 2014

shutterboy said:
I was able to find a bulk roll of Provia 100F expired in 05/12. The seller claims that the roll has been frozen and professionally stored. He is expecting 119$ for the roll. I know this is a vague question but what are the chances that the roll is not good any more?

Also, the shipping would be in normal box which will be unfrozen in the process. How good is the chance that the film might be damaged while shipping? Also, are there any caveats I should be aware of during re-freezing?

Thanks

If you are referring to the film sold by "ultrafine", I bought one roll back in December, tested it and it came out great so I purchased 10 more. I would be concern about shipping in the summer too, specially if you are not planning the film in the next three months.

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shutterboy · Jun 25, 2014

Yeah its ultrafine. I suppose, they are the only people left with that film in can, and I suppose the last available stock.

Pioneer · Jun 26, 2014

Good stuff. I can't afford 10 rolls at a time but have picked up a couple rolls each time I can afford to.

If I keep it up though I am going to have to start developing my own.

Roger Cole · Jun 26, 2014

Pioneer said:
Good stuff. I can't afford 10 rolls at a time but have picked up a couple rolls each time I can afford to.

If I keep it up though I am going to have to start developing my own.

Check out the Agfa branded "Precisa" via eBay. As far as I can tell it's Provia 100 and it's considerably less expensive. The last I bought was $20.95 for three rolls ($7 a roll for all practical purposes) with free shipping. I just checked and current prices seem to be more like $8 a roll but it's still less than Fuji branded Provia.

Pioneer · Jun 26, 2014

Roger Cole said:
Check out the Agfa branded "Precisa" via eBay. As far as I can tell it's Provia 100 and it's considerably less expensive. The last I bought was $20.95 for three rolls ($7 a roll for all practical purposes) with free shipping. I just checked and current prices seem to be more like $8 a roll but it's still less than Fuji branded Provia.

Thanks Roger. I'll have to give the Precisa a try. But what is available on Ultrafineonline is 100 foot rolls of Provia that is a bit overdue. I get about eighteen 36 exposure rolls for $5.80 a roll.

Roger Cole · Jun 26, 2014

I hear you, but I had a bad experience buying expired film from Ultrafine, some Elitechrome 400 supposedly cold stored and "tested and works fine" but really turned out to be over aged crap with gross grain and washed out pastel color. It was unbelievably bad. I've kept the remaining rolls to try cross processing some day. But if yours is tested and is ok - and 100 would be more likely to be ok than the 400 I bought - I'd use it too of course.

Pioneer · Jun 26, 2014

You are absolutely right. So far I have had good luck but that could change any day. I will certainly keep the Precisa in mind. It is too bad it only comes in 35mm. I love 120 color Provia and Velvia slide film in my Pentax 645. Its meter seems to adore that film.

Provia 100F

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