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Very old Ilford and Oriental paper. Is it still any good to print?

W_Taylor76

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Mar 22, 2020
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Location
Idaho
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Multi Format
I just acquired a bunch of Ilford FB and Oriental FB paper from my uncle. Both have glossy finishes. The paper is about 15-20 years old, and it was not kept in a refrigerator or freezer. It was kept in the top of a bedroom closet in a dry and hot climate. I have never printed with old paper so I am curious on What would the printability of the paper be. What results could I expect from paper this old and stored this way?
 
It might still be good, or it may have fogging. Slight fog can be controlled by adding restrainer to your developer, which might result in a speed and contrast loss. The only way to know is to try it. I'd print the same negatives on known good paper,so you' ll have something to compare the old paper to.
 
When you test, it is a really good idea to have some good quality current paper to test beside it - to help provide a comparison.
 
I have not had good luck with Ilford papers that are about 15 years old, which were stored in an air-conditioned house.
 
Test it. In a totally dark room (no safe light) tear a sheet in half, put half in a tray of fixer, the other develop, stop, and fix as normal. Compare the two halves. I've done this before and you can see a difference with age fogged paper.
 
Rick A's test will tell you about one potential consequence of aging.
Another potential consequence is reduction of contrast - thus the suggestion to compare it with current paper.
A reduction of contrast isn't necessarily fatal, but it does affect use.
 
I have had good luck with Galerie, only one old opened box that was given to me has fog.
 
I've had great luck with oriental / seagull grades 2-3-4 and vc purchased in the mid / late 1980s...
stored on a shelf , not in a fridge and freezer, and some of the years ( 5 of them ) were in a brick building that used
to heat up like a kiln / sweat lodge in the summers ...
good luck!
John
 
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