Waaay out of date Ektachrome???

nyoung · Sep 25, 2010

I have discovered an unopened box of 4x5 Ektachrome 100 with a 9/2004 expiration date in the back of the closet..

I thinking about ordering an E6 kit and shooting this stuff up while practicing with a new camera prior to a big trip out west.

If it were less than a year past expiration, I wouldn't worry about it but I've never used anything this old.

Will this film be good enough to let me compare relative exposures, check the film holders for leaks and lenses for flair or is it likely too far gone to be worth spending the money on the processing kit?

2F/2F · Sep 25, 2010

It is not that far out of date compared to some of what I have shot successfully, but since it has not been in the fridge, I would expect the film to definitely have poor color (probably a magenta cast), and possibly some fog (loss of strength in the blacks). I'd use it for cross processing if you can't tweak it to look normal with a few tests.

patois · Sep 28, 2010

I have had good luck with ektachrome from 2003. Once I got over the results I was very pleased with the outcome. Here is my best example.

nickandre · Sep 28, 2010

It should be fine for testing. You'll get images, but don't use it if you're photographing important things. There's no reason to cut costs if you want to produce great images.

Daniel Haskins · Oct 1, 2010

You think that's waaay out of date? I've used Ektachrome expired in the 70's! This film should be just fine for you to do tests on.

dphill · Oct 1, 2010

Daniel,
I have you beat for out of date Ektachrome, how about 1 roll with a develop before date of 8/1958. No, wait! 2 rolls of Ektachrome with a develop before of 8/1955 too!

All three are E620 E-2 processing

Unfortunately the roll film adapter that came with the Speed Graphic (and film) was broken.

Dan

teh · Oct 4, 2010

can't beat your dates but I used some Ektarchrome that has been expired for 20 years.

The Ektachrome will probably give you a magenta cast, how strong it is will most likly depend on the age of your film. here are two of my results. I actually liked them.

Waaay out of date Ektachrome???

nyoung

2F/2F

patois

nickandre

Daniel Haskins

dphill

teh

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