Expired Film... toss or use?

[VTHokiEE]

I picked up a bulk loader and film cassettes on craigslist and the guy gave me a handful of extra random stuff. Part of the package was 9 rolls of expired film (no idea how expired, but I'd guess a long time), probably stored at room temperature. I've never really shoot slide film in 35mm and 3 of the rolls are slide film: E100VS, Ektachrome, and EliteChrome. Are these worth shooting at all? I shot some expired Velvia in medium format, but the color shift bothered me a bit. Would I expect the same here?

I'm certain I'd be better off with fresh film, but my emotions are getting in the way and I'm hoping it would be useful in some way.

 

[TXForester]

Shoot it on fun stuff. Just don't use it in situations where you really want the photo. You might be surprised and worse case scenario, you out the cost of developing.

 

[Bill Clark]

Try something different like processing with negative (c-41) chemistry.

If it were me, I wouldn't throw the film out. Use it for fun photos or practice.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Give it away to those who like to take chances. That's what I do. Well, that and use it for checking that cameras actually work (wind on, expose, etc.). Either you get the idea of "fun" in unpredictable materials or you don't -- and I don't. I don't like Holgas either. This doesn't mean that I'm either right or wrong: but it does mean that not everyone agrees on this topic.

Cheers,

R.

 

[VTHokiEE]

Try something different like processing with negative (c-41) chemistry.

Do most standard labs offer this? I've never had it done and I think I may give it a chance.

Give it away to those who like to take chances. That's what I do. Well, that and use it for checking that cameras actually work (wind on, expose, etc.). Either you get the idea of "fun" in unpredictable materials or you don't -- and I don't. I don't like Holgas either. This doesn't mean that I'm either right or wrong: but it does mean that not everyone agrees on this topic.

Cheers,

R.

I have a feeling my current vision is closer to this. I think I'll shoot a "test" roll, but my inkling is that someone else will enjoy these rolls much more than I. The C41 expired rolls are certain to be passed on.

 

[Bill Clark]

I would put a tape that says, "process in C-41 chemistry" long enough to wrap the cassette. Masking tape should work.

If you fill out an envelope for the lab note it with special instructions.

 

[David Hughes]

HI,

I use these old films to check new (-ish) cameras as many won't work properly/completely without film in them or else you can practice trimming film ends for Barnacks and loading them.

The last thing I'd do is waste money on developing them and being disappointed.

Regards, David

 

[Pete B]

Check out the price of expired film on eBay. It's worth listing.
Pete

 

[f16sunshine]

Consider that many have been happy with images that come back from expired film use.
Personal experience is that I have never been unsatisfied and a few times quite surprised.
That said. Since the film does not suit your normal usage... give it to someone and make them happy!

 

[Godfrey]

I picked up a bulk loader and film cassettes on craigslist and the guy gave me a handful of extra random stuff. Part of the package was 9 rolls of expired film (no idea how expired, but I'd guess a long time), probably stored at room temperature. I've never really shoot slide film in 35mm and 3 of the rolls are slide film: E100VS, Ektachrome, and EliteChrome. Are these worth shooting at all? I shot some expired Velvia in medium format, but the color shift bothered me a bit. Would I expect the same here?

I'm certain I'd be better off with fresh film, but my emotions are getting in the way and I'm hoping it would be useful in some way.

Some of us seek out long expired film to have fun with, but if that's not your thing, give it away.

I don't bother with slide film (haven't for 30 years now) but long-expired print film often nets interesting results that I enjoy working with. The real tricky part is that every film ages differently depending on conditions of storage, etc, so what comes out of a given roll is often entirely unique.

G

 

[valdas]

I don't remember the last time I used unexpired color film... Of course, i shoot only for fun, no professional work...

 

[Robert Lai]

I find that Fuji film keeps very well after expiration. I routinely use my Provia 100F that expired in 2008, with no issues. Kodak film tends to be more picky about the expiry date. You can always scan and convert to B&W if the colors are off.

 

[Darshan]

I have used expired C41 films in the past and the colors came out a little muted..kind of liked the results and I often look at those prints. I don't think I would have gotten those colors even if I wanted to.

 

[Godfrey]

Kodak 200 color print film, expired in 1999 I think...

​

G

 

[shadowfox]

Use it, just add anywhere between +0.5 to +1 stop to the exposure to compensate for the loss of sensitivity.

This is a sample from a roll of Fuji Superia X-Tra 400 ASA (expired more than 5 years) exposed at 200 ASA.
The color looks spot on to my eyes.

 

[Nokton48]

Terminator 4 was shot with expired movie film.

That's how they got the muted desaturated colors.

 

[z.bruce.li]

I use a lot of expired film, and more often than not they turn up just fine. And the rest can be very interesting. With slide film, I would recommend not to add more than 1/2 stop to compensate.

Consider you suddenly have a few new filters on Instagram that are unique and nobody else has. 🙂

 

[Trooper]

If its 120 you should probably just get rid of it. Send it to me and I'll dispose of it properly. Its a free service I provide.

 

[kuzano]

I have both 120 and 4X5 refrigerated, including about 150 Quickload and Readyload envelopes. The majority of it was expired when I purchased it. I think I may have some (not much) actually fresh film. Some of it is from the mid nineties. I rarely use fresh film. I buy most of my film on eBay, but usually from vendors who specialize in film and have 100% feedback.

I find these people usually sell film that has been refrigerated. The ONLY color shift I have ever seen was from some film for 110 pocket camera's and that film was sold when those camera's were still being sold new.

BTW, I think it's frugalphotographer that still sells and offers processing for 110 film.

 

[ssmc]

As others have said, don't use it for anything important.

A possible use that occurred to me would be to check focusing if you have a camera without a removeable back.

Some time ago I came across a camera that'd been sitting in a drawer for a couple of years, and discovered that it still had film in it. I fired off the last few shots around the yard and got it processed. The results were unexpectedly ghastly - bizarre color shifts to the point of being virtually unusable. It didn't even look funky, and both the original and recent shots were junk. And it wasn't that old, nor had it been exposed to undue temperatures. Maybe it was a dodgy roll to begin with but this sort of thing makes me pretty reluctant to suggest using "unknown" expired film for anything other than mechanical-type testing.

Good luck with whatever you choose to do!