Should we use expired film or is it garbage ?

Kodachromeguy said:

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.

https://worldofdecay.blogspot.com/2026/01/on-waterfront-port-of-tacoma-washington.html

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.

https://worldofdecay.blogspot.com/2025/10/vinny-does-shelton-washington-with.html

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My wife's the MF shooter in the family, but she goes through long periods of not shooting, as a result a lot of out of date film.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 Currently sitting on probably 50-100 rolls of out of date MF.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?

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.

Steve York said:

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?

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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.

Steve York said:

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?

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 It also so happens that I love shooting out of date MF rolls of film.