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How long does film last?
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Mar 13, 2018 13:51:34   #
edrobinsonjr Loc: Boise, Idaho
 
DeeAndre wrote:
My brother-in-law passed away this past Aug. He had a lot of old film cameras and lots of film. I imagine the film would be at least 2 yrs. old if not older. Would it still be good? I shoot digital now and have not used film for years; so should I just toss it? Hid daughter asked me about it and I said I would ask the UHH family for their opinion. Thanks for your help.


If the film is only a couple of years old it should be find despite what the package expiration date says.

In the 60's I used tri-x and pan-x from 100 foot spools that were way old. There are people that have a hobby or make a living developing and printing film from the late 1800's and early 1900's.

Someone would likely be interested in the film.

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Mar 13, 2018 14:18:45   #
Paladin48 Loc: Orlando
 
DeeAndre wrote:
My brother-in-law passed away this past Aug. He had a lot of old film cameras and lots of film. I imagine the film would be at least 2 yrs. old if not older. Would it still be good? I shoot digital now and have not used film for years; so should I just toss it? Hid daughter asked me about it and I said I would ask the UHH family for their opinion. Thanks for your help.


I once had some exposed 40 year old film processed that came out pretty well. Other times 1 year old film that was too far gone to be printed. It is all in how it was stored.

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Mar 13, 2018 14:20:35   #
Paladin48 Loc: Orlando
 
Acountry330 wrote:
The film should be OK. Just don't use it on anything important. Getting it processed may be a small problem.

Many places will have no problem processing C-41 film for a reasonable price. C-22 not so much.

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Mar 13, 2018 15:06:14   #
speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho
 
DeeAndre wrote:
My brother-in-law passed away this past Aug. He had a lot of old film cameras and lots of film. I imagine the film would be at least 2 yrs. old if not older. Would it still be good? I shoot digital now and have not used film for years; so should I just toss it? Hid daughter asked me about it and I said I would ask the UHH family for their opinion. Thanks for your help.

It all depends on how he stored it. I used film ( that was frozen) that was 20 years old and I had no problems, nor was there anything wrong with the film after developing, pictures came out just as with new film!

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Mar 13, 2018 15:30:25   #
elffyb
 
Using expired film is something I do every day. Here are some tips on different types of film, and a general idea of what to expect.

Film lasts longer if refrigerated or frozen. If you don't plan on using it quickly throw it in the freezer. Store everything else in the fridge if you are able.

Below are *my experiences* with working with many different types, and brands of film. The time ranges given are in years past the expiration date.

1) COLOR PRINT FILM (C41) 5-9 years. (lasts pretty long)
a. if not stored properly you can experience faded color or slight color shifting. Expired color film is fairly stable, but will not be perfect.

2) BLACK AND WHITE FILM 10+ years. (lasts the longest)
a. if not stored properly you can experience fogging, and fading which appears as the overall image being lighter or whiter than expected and or blotchy white patches throughout the image. Expired black and white film is very stable, and if stored correctly will be near perfect.

3) COLOR SLIDE FILM (E6) 1-5 years. (goes bad quickest)
a. if not stored properly you can experience significant color shifting to the point where it will appear that the whole frame is tinted a particular color, usually PURPLE, BLUE, or GREEN depending on the manufacturer, and how the film was stored. Expired color slide film goes bad the quickest and has more problems than other types ... I use this type of film after expired experimentally only.

All that said I have shot film even beyond the years given above with decent results.

The previous advice of 'Don't use it on anything important' is good advice. Use it for something fun or casual. Don't run to a money making shoot with only expired film, you will be disappointed.

Don't expect perfect results. If you are using film you probably have already embraced this.

Without the box you can expect when it was purchased it has a shelf of 2-5 years (within expiration). You also mentioned that you thought it may be 2-3 years old, so it might still be within expiration.

Assuming that you aren't using this for a business shoot or anything critical;
Personally I would shoot black and white or color print film (C41) that was 2-3 years past expiration (stored at room temperature) without a thought. If the film was color slide film (E6) I would set my expectations lower, and use it as a fun experiment.

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Mar 13, 2018 19:47:35   #
zoomphoto Loc: Seattle, WA USA
 
I have stored B&W for 10 years in a deep freeze (not frost free) with complete success. Be sure to thoroughly thaw before opening and loading.

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Mar 13, 2018 21:10:22   #
Diamond41 Loc: St. Louis, MO
 
elffyb wrote:
Using expired film is something I do every day. Here are some tips on different types of film, and a general idea of what to expect.

Film lasts longer if refrigerated or frozen. If you don't plan on using it quickly throw it in the freezer. Store everything else in the fridge if you are able.

Below are *my experiences* with working with many different types, and brands of film. The time ranges given are in years past the expiration date.

1) COLOR PRINT FILM (C41) 5-9 years. (lasts pretty long)
a. if not stored properly you can experience faded color or slight color shifting. Expired color film is fairly stable, but will not be perfect.

2) BLACK AND WHITE FILM 10+ years. (lasts the longest)
a. if not stored properly you can experience fogging, and fading which appears as the overall image being lighter or whiter than expected and or blotchy white patches throughout the image. Expired black and white film is very stable, and if stored correctly will be near perfect.

3) COLOR SLIDE FILM (E6) 1-5 years. (goes bad quickest)
a. if not stored properly you can experience significant color shifting to the point where it will appear that the whole frame is tinted a particular color, usually PURPLE, BLUE, or GREEN depending on the manufacturer, and how the film was stored. Expired color slide film goes bad the quickest and has more problems than other types ... I use this type of film after expired experimentally only.

All that said I have shot film even beyond the years given above with decent results.

The previous advice of 'Don't use it on anything important' is good advice. Use it for something fun or casual. Don't run to a money making shoot with only expired film, you will be disappointed.

Don't expect perfect results. If you are using film you probably have already embraced this.

Without the box you can expect when it was purchased it has a shelf of 2-5 years (within expiration). You also mentioned that you thought it may be 2-3 years old, so it might still be within expiration.

Assuming that you aren't using this for a business shoot or anything critical;
Personally I would shoot black and white or color print film (C41) that was 2-3 years past expiration (stored at room temperature) without a thought. If the film was color slide film (E6) I would set my expectations lower, and use it as a fun experiment.
Using expired film is something I do every day. H... (show quote)


Probably the most accurate guide I have seen. Slide film is the most problematic of films. I agree with everyone use for fun shots.

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Mar 13, 2018 21:13:25   #
LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field
 
cjc2 wrote:
Recent processing of Kodachrome film is IMPOSSIBLE -- that has not been available for some time. Extachrome, it could have been.


Concur.

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Mar 14, 2018 05:17:51   #
aaciolkowski Loc: Sugar Grove Illinois
 
As far as the life of exposed film goes I was in the photofishing business. It wasn’t unusual to have a customer bring in a roll of film found in a drawer. I remember one roll that was exposed in the 1920S and processed in the 1960S the images were fine

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Mar 15, 2018 21:19:01   #
DeeAndre Loc: Boyertown PA
 
elffyb wrote:
Using expired film is something I do every day. Here are some tips on different types of film, and a general idea of what to expect.

Film lasts longer if refrigerated or frozen. If you don't plan on using it quickly throw it in the freezer. Store everything else in the fridge if you are able.

Below are *my experiences* with working with many different types, and brands of film. The time ranges given are in years past the expiration date.

1) COLOR PRINT FILM (C41) 5-9 years. (lasts pretty long)
a. if not stored properly you can experience faded color or slight color shifting. Expired color film is fairly stable, but will not be perfect.

2) BLACK AND WHITE FILM 10+ years. (lasts the longest)
a. if not stored properly you can experience fogging, and fading which appears as the overall image being lighter or whiter than expected and or blotchy white patches throughout the image. Expired black and white film is very stable, and if stored correctly will be near perfect.

3) COLOR SLIDE FILM (E6) 1-5 years. (goes bad quickest)
a. if not stored properly you can experience significant color shifting to the point where it will appear that the whole frame is tinted a particular color, usually PURPLE, BLUE, or GREEN depending on the manufacturer, and how the film was stored. Expired color slide film goes bad the quickest and has more problems than other types ... I use this type of film after expired experimentally only.

All that said I have shot film even beyond the years given above with decent results.

The previous advice of 'Don't use it on anything important' is good advice. Use it for something fun or casual. Don't run to a money making shoot with only expired film, you will be disappointed.

Don't expect perfect results. If you are using film you probably have already embraced this.

Without the box you can expect when it was purchased it has a shelf of 2-5 years (within expiration). You also mentioned that you thought it may be 2-3 years old, so it might still be within expiration.

Assuming that you aren't using this for a business shoot or anything critical;
Personally I would shoot black and white or color print film (C41) that was 2-3 years past expiration (stored at room temperature) without a thought. If the film was color slide film (E6) I would set my expectations lower, and use it as a fun experiment.
Using expired film is something I do every day. H... (show quote)


Thank you so very much for your extremely detailed information.

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