Shelf life of Kodak Color Print Paper???

[John Galt]

I was recently invited to a private Professional Portrait Studio estate sale.

I scored 18 or so unopened boxes of Kodak Portra III, Portra II, Supra III and Supra II color print paper in sizes ranging from 8x10 up to 30x40, All have been frozen since day 1. This paper is all around 20 yrs + - old.

Is it any good? And how do I read the emulsion code to determine date? I have no experience with color print paper.

I also obtained a larger amount of B&W paper, Kodak and Ilford kept in the same freezer.

 

[koraks]

Most likely fogged, but maybe the cold storage has kept it in check a little bit. There's only one way to find out...

 

[caml]

It may be fine, due to the fact that it was in the freezer for so long. I have scored paper in the past that wasnt in a freezer and only had slight bits of "clouding"

also sorry for the unrelated post her -- but how do i make a new forum post? having trouble and am new here

 

[MattKing]

It may be fine, due to the fact that it was in the freezer for so long. I have scored paper in the past that wasnt in a freezer and only had slight bits of "clouding"

also sorry for the unrelated post her -- but how do i make a new forum post? having trouble and am new here

Welcome to Photrio.
To start a new thread, click on the (sub) forum title to see the list of threads in that (sub) forum. There should be a "Post New Thread" box at the top right - click on that, fill in the Thread Title you want, and then tab to the box where you type in your first post. When that is finished, move down to either the "Preview" tab or Create Thread tab, and click accordingly. If you use the Preview function (good for proofing) be sure to finish off with the Create Thread tab.
There may be some thread starting restrictions on very new members who haven't made many posts - I'm not sure.
When you start a new thread, please make sure that you use a descriptive thread title, rather than something vague and imprecise. Something like "Question about colour paper" is a terrible thread title!
And be warned - it is relatively difficult to edit a thread title after the thread is up and running - a moderator has to become involved.
Hope this helps!

 

[StepheKoontz]

I also obtained a larger amount of B&W paper, Kodak and Ilford kept in the same freezer.

I haven't had good luck with Kodak B&W, especially RC paper. I had some that was about this same vintage, note it was stored at room temp but kept below 75 deg F, and it was all total junk. Unexposed put into developer it turned dark gray. The ilford paper stored with it was usable, but I have noted fresh paper has better contrast and looks cleaner, especially in the highlights. I ended up throwing it all out.

 

[John Galt]

I haven't had good luck with Kodak B&W, especially RC paper. I had some that was about this same vintage, note it was stored at room temp but kept below 75 deg F, and it was all total junk. Unexposed put into developer it turned dark gray. The ilford paper stored with it was usable, but I have noted fresh paper has better contrast and looks cleaner, especially in the highlights. I ended up throwing it all out.

Hi Stephe . . . I got some Kodak B&W paper 4 or 5 years ago that was stored in a garage here in NY since the 1960s that was good . . . I am hoping that this stuff I just got is good, will test some of it later this week . . . I own a a small farm and am busy planting garlic for the next couple of days . . I grow garlic for the local Farmers Markets. I do most of my processing and printing in the off farm season (winter)

 

[Photo Engineer]

The Supra family was known to lose red speed with keeping which gradually lowered the overall speed of the paper. Then it began to yellow. It is less tolerant to process variations in temperature. This is compared to Endura.

PE

 

[John Galt]

The Supra family was known to lose red speed with keeping which gradually lowered the overall speed of the paper. Then it began to yellow. It is less tolerant to process variations in temperature. This is compared to Endura.

PE

Thanks PE . . so I might as well just toss it is what you are inferring? Frozen for 20 yrs makes no difference?
What about he Portra in your experience?

Thanks again PE

 

[EdSawyer]

You should at least process some and see. I agree that it will have yellowed some, but depending on the shots you are printing, you may be able to still get acceptable prints.

 

[Photo Engineer]

Give it a try in the darkroom. I've printed quite well on aged Supra with a filter pack change.

I don't remember my Supra results OTOMH. Sorry.

PE

 

[John Galt]

Thanks for all the great replies. FWIW I have no intention to use this paper, printing color is not in my future. I was asking so as to determine if it was worth posting it for sale in the classifieds here on Photrio . .

 

[David Lyga]

The utterly maddening problem with color paper of all makes is that even a slight fog is death. With B&W you have restrainer and, after fix, Farmer's to save the entire day. With color you are stuck with what you got. I need white, not almost white. - David Lyga

 

[Photo Engineer]

There are individual, layer wise, restrainers for color papers. There was an extensive thread on this here a few years back where I shared my experiences with this.

PE

 

[Helge]

There are individual, layer wise, restrainers for color papers. There was an extensive thread on this here a few years back where I shared my experiences with this.

PE

Someone needs to do a directory of your posts.
I'm slowly working on it, but it's a surprisingly difficult task. Not so much the amount of posts, which is obviously just a good thing.
It's more the horrible search function on this board (or any board for that matter).
Does anyone know of external tools for searching and indexing message boards?

 

[koraks]

Just use Google. That seems to work the best for me - but I use it mostly if I knew what I'm looking for...

 

[Helge]

Google Custom is what this board is already using.