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Well-Expired Film

A few years ago when I still had a Kodak Medalist II, I found someone on the auction site who was selling Kodak film that was made to go in the sheet film holders Kodak made in the 1930's - 1950's. I bought it out of curiosity and one box was opened so I loaded up a sheet and took a pic. Can't remember what I processed it in, either Rodinal or HC-110, but I was amazed that I got an image.



Here is the box I took the sheet from:




You can see the film had expired seven months before the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. I have to say the expiration dates on B&W photographic film seems more like suggestions.

Best,
-Tim
 

That is even older than I am.
 
I shot a roll of Fomapan 100 (exp. May 1996) in a fully-functional Holga 120N, prints have been added to the Holga photo thread in Lo-Fi Cameras. Aside from the black dots mentioned there, older B&W films still hold their own after 25 years.
 
The oldest film I ever shot was 35mm Agfapan APX 25 dated 1993, that I tried last year. The results (dev in studional) turned out surprisingly good, shot at slightly lower than box speed (either 16 or 20 ASA instead of 25). However, the film curls so badly that making it flat is a nightmare.
 
I have a few rolls of APX 100 and 400, under the newer AgfaPhoto mark. Haven't tried them yet.

The generic B&W rolls from Freestyle were sold in the white foil wrappers with the ASA markings printed on them, so I had no expiration date. Those might actually be the oldest rolls I have, but not sure who may have manufactured them.
 
I shoot glass plates now and then, the frigate Suomen Joutsen I photographed on an Ilford HP3 plate from 1940's. Approx ISO25, originally 200.
 
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