Should we use expired film or is it garbage ?

[Steve York]

So far, my 1989 expiration 120 Panatomic-X is still fine. But it has been frozen since new and has not cycled through thawing and freezing. I agree that buying decades old 120 film via eBay would be a crap shoot. Why bother? Just buy new film. The 120 Kentmere is surprisingly reasonable price (cheap) in USA.

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I have also had decent results from 35mm Panatomic-X. But it is more grainy than when fresh, and I certainly would not seek out any more rolls. It's too late.

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My wife's the MF shooter in the family, but she goes through long periods of not shooting, as a result a lot of out of date film. I know now to buy her film in much more limited quantities. We always buy new and cold store. In the past we've had numbers and words bleeding onto the film from the backing paper (Kodak), or a crinkly, static type of pattern from the backing paper (Foma). Not all the old film has backing paper issues, but it's a crap shoot. Shame, because the old film itself was fine. If me, I just use the old film for personal projects, and view any weird side effects, as part of the creative process, sort of like flare in an image. But you know these medium format folks and their big negatives, they want perfection! Currently sitting on probably 50-100 rolls of out of date MF. Not sure what to do with it; maybe put it on eBay with proper disclosure?

 

[PeterTredrea]

A few years ago I was given two 500 foot spools of Ilford Orthochromatic 35mm copy film (dated 1970). At about the same time I aquired two 156 foot spools of the same film (marked as Ilford Orthset 1970) in a 4.75 inch wide format. I was told that the nominal speeed was 1.5 ISO and after a little experimentation confirmed this with my home-grown Rodinal. These films have contributed to a resurgence of my Analogue photography. The very low speed requires exposures in the range 2 to 30 seconds so I now always use a tripod. The films are effectively grain free and with dilute developer produce wonderful negatives. Their Orthochromatic response contributes to a "look" that I hadn't experienced before. I now realize that the moderate fog (with over development) is acting like a pre-flash in contrast control. I have much to learn from these materials but so far, the results have been very rewarding.
My recommendation when using these films is make sure you have plenty so testing is possible before shooting important subjects and consider the age and unusual original purpose to be an asset. These films will never be made again.

 

[Kino]

My wife's the MF shooter in the family, but she goes through long periods of not shooting, as a result a lot of out of date film. I know now to buy her film in much more limited quantities. We always buy new and cold store. In the past we've had numbers and words bleeding onto the film from the backing paper (Kodak), or a crinkly, static type of pattern from the backing paper (Foma). Not all the old film has backing paper issues, but it's a crap shoot. Shame, because the old film itself was fine. If me, I just use the old film for personal projects, and view any weird side effects, as part of the creative process, sort of like flare in an image. But you know these medium format folks and their big negatives, they want perfection! Currently sitting on probably 50-100 rolls of out of date MF. Not sure what to do with it; maybe put it on eBay with proper disclosure?

Have you tried a 5 minute water presoak with agitation on the out of date 120? Rumor is, it might help alleviate the backing paper pattern issue.

 

[Cholentpot]

My wife's the MF shooter in the family, but she goes through long periods of not shooting, as a result a lot of out of date film. I know now to buy her film in much more limited quantities. We always buy new and cold store. In the past we've had numbers and words bleeding onto the film from the backing paper (Kodak), or a crinkly, static type of pattern from the backing paper (Foma). Not all the old film has backing paper issues, but it's a crap shoot. Shame, because the old film itself was fine. If me, I just use the old film for personal projects, and view any weird side effects, as part of the creative process, sort of like flare in an image. But you know these medium format folks and their big negatives, they want perfection! Currently sitting on probably 50-100 rolls of out of date MF. Not sure what to do with it; maybe put it on eBay with proper disclosure?

Hi, it's me. Your new best friend. It also so happens that I love shooting out of date MF rolls of film.

 

[Dr. no]

Currently sitting on probably 50-100 rolls of out of date MF. Not sure what to do with it; maybe put it on eBay with proper disclosure?

Those rolls need a rigourous regimen of controlled testing in the high desert, where humidity is maintained at the ideal 20-30% and sunlight never fails. I‘d give them a happy research home for these trials!

 

[mehguy]

I would personally not use expired film. If i had any, I'd sell them on the auction site and buy fresh film.

 

[thomasossi]

I have a pile of expired fuji Superia 35mm in my fridge. The first 4 or 5 rolls were fun, but i'm excited to be rid of it, as its fairly unpredictable and either looks like its fresh, or really foggy and useless. I have gambled on some other expired stuff like some 2000s PMZ pro 1000 that I love, and a few boxes of provia for my 4x5, but from here on out, unless its known good cold stored stuff, im probably gonna keep to buying new so I know what to expect!

 

[Cholentpot]

I have a pile of expired fuji Superia 35mm in my fridge. The first 4 or 5 rolls were fun, but i'm excited to be rid of it, as its fairly unpredictable and either looks like its fresh, or really foggy and useless. I have gambled on some other expired stuff like some 2000s PMZ pro 1000 that I love, and a few boxes of provia for my 4x5, but from here on out, unless its known good cold stored stuff, im probably gonna keep to buying new so I know what to expect!

Hi, it's me, your new best friend...

 

[armadsen]

I sometimes buy film in-date because I get a good deal on it, but then don't use it until it's slightly expired (a couple years at most). I keep it frozen, and it's fine. But I don't really get the attraction to decades out of date film, especially since it's so often just as expensive as fresh film now. I'd rather shoot something I know will work well.

On the other hand, I have a friend who pretty much only shoots heavily expired slide film. His images generally come out with extreme color casts, poor exposure, etc. I don't get it, but he likes it, and to each their own.

 

[thomasossi]

Hi, it's me, your new best friend...

Ha! Im getting down to the end of the low speed stuff, but still have about 10 rolls of 800 and 4 of 1600 speed too bad you either have to pull them or shoot them knowing they'll be heavily fogged.

 

[Cholentpot]

I sometimes buy film in-date because I get a good deal on it, but then don't use it until it's slightly expired (a couple years at most). I keep it frozen, and it's fine. But I don't really get the attraction to decades out of date film, especially since it's so often just as expensive as fresh film now. I'd rather shoot something I know will work well.

On the other hand, I have a friend who pretty much only shoots heavily expired slide film. His images generally come out with extreme color casts, poor exposure, etc. I don't get it, but he likes it, and to each their own.

See, I don't want to pay anything at all for expired film. I mean I'll pay a bit for it but honestly it's not worth anything. That's why I shoot it. It's cheap. Used to be cheaper.