How long lasts unexposed photo paper?

[HuubL]

I was offered half a cabinet full with unopened packages of photo paper in various sizes. Most of it is Agfa, but I believe there was Ilford and Kodak also. This was the stock inventory of the photo lab at my university's biology department. We are moving to a new building where there's no more place for a photo lab. Everything has been digital for the last 8 years or so and the stock has probably been there for some 10 years or more. I got some nice equipment also, including a Leica V35 enlarger, which made me setup a new dark room in the attic. So, I was wondering if I could still use that photo paper or has it shot?

 

[David William White]

If it's colour paper, you may notice some colour shifts -- which you can compensate for while enlarging.

If it's just black and white, it actually has a very long shelf life if not exposed to high humidity or heat. Much of the paper I print on is over ten years old, and I've got some very nice Velox paper that is over 30 years old that prints up nicely.

 

[estenh]

I had some Kodak paper expired in 1970 that I printed on recently. It had been frozen, but even then I ended up with an increase in fog as well as longer development times.

Really, it just depends on the paper. What do you have to lose by trying it? That's half the fun!

 

[plummerl]

I recently returned to the darkroom, after a long (long!) absence. I still have a large stock of Agfa and Ilford (paper, not RC) from the late 70's, early 80's. I was expecting to have to fight fogging, but found that it prints as wonderfully as I remember it.

 

[ed1k]

Old papers actually keep better. Since they invented developing agent layer to the emulsion, it doesn't last long on the shelf anymore. My very hope is that with low current demand for the real photo paper (not ink one) some manufacturers like Ilford return to the basics... Old emulsion was much better in my opinion.

Cheers,
Ed

 

[Ronald M]

The old papers lasted a long time. Due to differences in manufacturing, newer stuff is 3 years from date of manufacture.

 

[David William White]

The old papers lasted a long time. Due to differences in manufacturing, newer stuff is 3 years from date of manufacture.

I think Ilford would take exception to that.

 

[Ronald M]

I got the info from the Ilford rep when they had them. So no they will not take exception.

I know what they are doing and why it will not last. Currently they will not admit it, however the paper still fogs after a short period of time.

The rep also said freezing will not significantly increase its life.

 

[Fotohuis]

It depends on the type of paper. Fiber paper rest much longer then PE/RC. However Agfa MCC and MCP both came rather quick to an end.
From the modern papers Ilford MG IV (PE/RC) stays pretty long in a good condition. Fomaspeed Variant III either and also the fiber papers from Foma (Fomabrom Variant and Fomatone MG), very long.

 

[David William White]

I got the info from the Ilford rep when they had them. So no they will not take exception.

I know what they are doing and why it will not last. Currently they will not admit it, however the paper still fogs after a short period of time.

The rep also said freezing will not significantly increase its life.

Pardon me for saying, but this is an exceptional claim, very counterintuitive, and will require something other than heresay and inuendo for me to conceed.

 

[Lilserenity]

Pardon me for saying, but this is an exceptional claim, very counterintuitive, and will require something other than heresay and inuendo for me to conceed.

Not wishing to kick a hornet's nest but if Ilford are doing something that's not exactly scrupulous or perhaps they're doing something to cut corners knowingly -- do we have any right to know this if we're buying their products.

I've never had any problems with Ilford papers but I too am concerned we'd need some concrete facts on what's going on, the Internet is a great place to blow things out of proportion and get things very twisted so hard facts opposed to conjecture would be appreciated on my part too.