Using expired films ?

[Bohns]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Hello everyone 😃

Since my stroke almost 3 years ago, I have not practiced film until recently.
Spiraling film is not necessarily a problem (I have a Lab-Box which makes it easier for me), but the micro-movement abilities of my right hand are significantly reduced, even after rehabilitation. For example, I can no longer take portrait photos (I tried with the shutter at the bottom right or at the top left on MP, R-E or R8) without shaking or getting tired very quickly.

Then I took and developed 2 “test” rolls of HP5+ (non-expired) 2 months ago; the "analog virus" hit me again 😎

I have rolls of HP5+ and FP4+ stored in the fridge since purchase, expired since November 22 and November 23. I have a few rolls of Delta 100 and Delta 400, also stored in the fridge since purchase, expired since October 22. Finally, I also have rolls of Porta 160 and Portra 400, also stored in the fridge, of which I do not know the expiration date (I no longer have the grouping boxes).

I also have 1 roll of Portra 160, 2 rolls of HP5+, 1 roll of FP4+ and a roll of Delta 100 that were in my camera bag, probably since just before my stroke (let's say 3 years).

All of these films were purchased at the same time in March 2019

Are there any restrictions on their use? Will I have to adapt my developer and fixer times?

Regards,

Stef.

Edited June 9, 2024 by Bohns

[TomB_tx]

I doubt if you will have problems with the films, certainly not the refrigerated ones. I've recently shot a couple of rolls of Portra 10 years out of date (room temperature) and had usable results with normal processing. I've heard others suggest to increase exposure a stop for every 10 yrs out of date. 

[spydrxx]

I've never had issues with expired film if stored in the fridge/freezer during their "active" life or shortly after their stated expiration date, even well beyond the 10 year guideline. As a precautionary measure though, on the ones past 10 years, I do give a little extra exposure.

On the stroke issue...keep exercising. Many people, including myself, regained muscle control over time if they religiously without fail exercised the affected muscles...perhaps not the same degree of previous strength, but with good control. I speak with personal 24 year experience on this issue.

 

[Bohns]

Thank you very much, @TomB_tx and @spydrxx 😃

Regards, 

Stef.

[250swb]

Calculate what your time is worth and how much you want to make a reliable photograph. Then decide to use expired or new films. I use my expired films in a Holga 120 or similar in 35mm so I know I have no ‘expectations’ other than for fun.

[Bohns]

If I understand correctly the different answers here and the ones on the French Leica forum (Summilux.net) :

1. no problem expected with all the rolls stored in the fridge, even if expired.
2. rolls stored at room temperature can be pushed for safety (e.g.: Portra 160 exposed to ISO 100 or ISO 80, HP5+ to ISO 320 or ISO 200, etc.)
3. rolls expired for more than 5 years (Summilux.net) or 10 years (LUF) must be overexposed by one stop (ISO divided by 2), even if they were stored in the fridge.
4. some participants in this thread store their rolls in the freezer at -18°C; so I'm going to transfer mine there and the next ones that I buy. My wife will be happy, I'll free a container from the fridge; but she will complain because I'll take one from the freezer 😋

Regards,

Stef.

Edited June 9, 2024 by Bohns

[dpitt]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

On 6/9/2024 at 1:45 PM, Bohns said:

For example, I can no longer take portrait photos (I tried with the shutter at the bottom right or at the top left on MP, R-E or R8) without shaking or getting tired very quickly.

Sorry to hear that.
Did you try using the R8 with a motor drive? Yes, it adds weight. I do not know if that will be harder to hold for you, but stability improves and more importantly, the button on the motor drive will make using it in portrait mode just as easy as in landscape mode.

[Bohns]

1 hour ago, dpitt said:

Sorry to hear that.
Did you try using the R8 with a motor drive? Yes, it adds weight. I do not know if that will be harder to hold for you, but stability improves and more importantly, the button on the motor drive will make using it in portrait mode just as easy as in landscape mode.

Thank you very much four your nice interest and advice 😃

Indeed, I already thought about it, but…

1. it adds 680g with batteries… Waaaayyyy too heavy.
2. there is nothing similar for the MP which is my prefered one (R8 and R-E are mainly for color landscape - max 30% of all rolls - when MP is generalist and mainly for B&W), and the one I need the more in portrait mode.
3. I will not buy a grip with a portrait trigger for each and every camera I own 😇🙃😉 (maybe only one - used because of 💵 - for my digital SL2, but it is heavy as well).

Regards,

Stef.

Edited June 10, 2024 by Bohns

[250swb]

It is true a heavier larger camera is much easier to hold steady because of the inertia, so perhaps look for a Leicavit for your MP, you don't have to use it in anger, but then again it may help in winding the film.

As regards compensating the development of out of date films by reading what other people do you should consider that an awful lot of people on the internet are happy just to get something on a film regardless of quality. So perhaps create a datum point and buy a new roll of each of your frozen film types and compare the compensating dilutions and times against those?

[Bohns]

1 hour ago, 250swb said:

As regards compensating the development of out of date films by reading what other people do you should consider that an awful lot of people on the internet are happy just to get something on a film regardless of quality. So perhaps create a datum point and buy a new roll of each of your frozen film types and compare the compensating dilutions and times against those?

Thank you. It is what I did with my « fav » HP5+. Il intend to do the the same with my « fav color » Portra 400 (which is indeed very flexible).

Regards,

Stef.

Edited June 11, 2024 by Bohns

[TomM]

Out of interest I have repaired an Agfa Karat 3.5 camera from around 1937.  The Synchro Compur shutter was jammed and I was able to clean and lubricate it.  I found some old Ilford PanF film in a 17 metre length with original wrapping and metal cannister with the dates  DT 83 RB 85.  The camera uses Agfa Rapid cassettes which must be loaded with about 24 inches of film for twelve exposures.  I took a test run and developed the film.  Focus wasn't too bad but lens obviously not quite perpendicular to film plane so one half of photos sharper than the other.  Appears that the lens needs mounting adjustment in camera but that may be beyond me.  Interestingly the negatives were quite acceptable except that they have small spots (3 or 4 per negative) where the emulsion seemed to be removed.  I can't explain why that should be and wondered if anyone else has experienced this?  The speed and contrast of the film seems to be close to original!  Not a Leica but may be interesting to some.

[spydrxx]

On the issue of expired films, in looking thru my files, I found a series I took with 10yr expired Plus-x film, which I gave a slight increase in development time, and a similar boost in contrast in digitizing. Was quite pleased with the results.

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

[Danner]

A couple weeks ago, I shot some 10 years expired HP5+, developed with XTOL stock solution I mixed in June 2023, and the pictures came out great.  For B&W film, I have little concern of its age, as long as I know its storage history.

Edited June 25, 2024 by Danner

[250swb]

On 6/25/2024 at 1:20 PM, Danner said:

A couple weeks ago, I shot some 10 years expired HP5+, developed with XTOL stock solution I mixed in June 2023, and the pictures came out great.  For B&W film, I have little concern of its age, as long as I know its storage history.

Cold storage helps keep the film speed near box spec but it isn't a free lunch, while the film sits in the fridge there is another aging component going on and that is the increase in base fog. High temperatures will accelerate it but low temperatures will not slow it down and each type and speed of film will develop base fog at different rates. 

[Savphoto]

@Bohns Are you planning on shooting any of the film soon? Id be curious to see the results you get

[TomB_tx]

When our "garage" freezer failed yesterday and we emptied it, I found how much color film I had bought and froze about 10 years ago when I could see it would be discontinued. As I have just been setting up to do color processing again after many decades, I'll be shooting various old films and comparing to new as both a check on my processing and to see how the stored film has held up. I also have some stored in room temp for 10 years, so I'll compare that also.

[Danner]

On 7/26/2024 at 7:09 AM, TomB_tx said:

When our "garage" freezer failed yesterday and we emptied it, I found how much color film I had bought and froze about 10 years ago when I could see it would be discontinued. As I have just been setting up to do color processing again after many decades, I'll be shooting various old films and comparing to new as both a check on my processing and to see how the stored film has held up. I also have some stored in room temp for 10 years, so I'll compare that also.

Looking forward to your report.