Film and expiration dates

[Lancer]

So, I have not shot a lot of film, mostly digital over the last 8 years or so. I am looking at shooting much more film in the near future. A buddy of mine gave me some 35mm film. After looking it over I noted it expired in 2008. He has had it refrigerated since he purchased it (its in my fridge now). Okay, is this normal and okay to keep film this long??? Should it be fine to shoot with? He knows film way better than I so I am assuming all is fine. Just looking for some clarification on how all this works.

thanks!

 

[kmallick]

There is a slight chance that there may be some color shift. However if it has been refrigerated properly, you will still get good color and results from the prints. I use expired films all the time and I am happy most of the time. Why don't you try one roll and see?

 

[honozooloo]

It should be fine...but different brands/types of film respond differently past their expiration dates. 4-year expired film that's been refrigerated should do ok. I've shot up to 6-year expired (note-it was refrigerated since I'd bought it 7 1/2 years ago) film with at least passable results. If it's expired color print film, I've noticed color shifting, uneven grain, and weird clumps of grain or "scarring" in some frames, so be prepared for that. Same goes for slide films.

In my experience, higher-iso color print (negative) films are the ones that give me the most problems when they are past their expiration dates.

Black and white films usually do just fine 4 years out, as long as they are properly refrigerated.

Just out of curiosity, what did he give you?

 

[Lancer]

One roll is BW P3200, the other 1600 color. I will be shooting both rolls very soon, a week or two a the most.