College Journalism Department donated a ton of expired film to me!

[PalmerCole]

So my photojournalism professors and I became close after they gave me access to the develop and print labs. No one shoots film for class anymore and I had a rather large pro lab to myself. I shoot digital for work and school which is mostly portraits and promo work with some photojournalism too. But my passion is film and it's all I shoot when not working. Anyhow they donated an entire freezer of expired 35, 120 and 220 film to me, most of it being portra, tmax and trix. It's all about 10 years expired. I thawed and shot a roll the night I received the film and got it developed at a local lab. Looks good, great color and sharpness. So my question is what should I do in the storage and use of this film as well as are there any suggestions as to techniques with film that I should try since I have this surplus? I also have bulk 35mm which I have no clue how to load. Really any wisdom would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Jobin]

Nice find, wish i came across a opportunity like that. 35mm bulk rolls intimidated me at first, but are fairly simple all you need is the empty canister, a loading mech and film. Congrats!

 

[boomguy57]

Congrats for you, but sad that the lab doesn't get used anymore. There really is no replacement for students seeing their prints appear on paper in front of their eyes.

Not to open the film v. digital thing again, but I think something more than photography will be lost once we live in an all-digital world. By the time we collectively realize that, it may be too late to recoup some of what we have lost.

 

[yossarian123]

by all means keep it refrigerated. I usually shoot my expired film at about a stop slower than box speed.

 

[BobYIL]

Good for you! First, you are on the correct path for using film when not working. Keep on! Then, the B&W films like the TMax or Tri-X do not get spoiled when they are deep frozen for over ten years, just develop them like fresh film. If you have much 100' rolls then from the auction site you can buy a used bulk-loader for a song. Take a look at the darkroom/film archive of this forum for the posts to find the answers; lots of info there..

O' the joy of having a large pro lab for personal disposal! 😀 (You really are lucky!)

 

[jsrockit]

There really is no replacement for students seeing their prints appear on paper in front of their eyes.

An inkjet printer still allows this experience... 😉

 

[rlouzan]

Hi,

You actually don't need a film bulk loader:

*Total darkness - stay away from after glow lights (FLD, safelights, glow in the dark tape/watch ...)
*empty film canisters NON DX CODED (one usage) or Nikon/Leica type
* Roll of 1/2" masking tape
* scissors
* two thumb taks
* extra 8x10" black plastic RC/FB paper bag
* Sharpie

place the thumb tacks

1.60m apart on a wood table/countertop for 36 exposures
1.19m for 24 exposures and 72cm for 12 exposures
- including film leaders.

+

COSMIC RADIATION:

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=105397

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=91147

Regards,
Robert