Ilford Pan F Image Keeping

[Graybeard]

I'll be using a Rollei 3.5(Planar) for travel B&W photography in the future.

I've run some trials with Ilford Pan F and have been quite pleased with the 16x20 prints I've made from the negatives (processed in Mytol 1:1).

My concern is that there are numerous reports of latent image deterioration with PanF. Obviously, using Pan F for travel photography, I won't be processing the film immediately and could well go 8 weeks from shooting the film to processing all of it (I shoot a lot of film) once I return home.

What has been the experience of others here in the time scale for image deterioration to occur? Some reports suggest processing with 15 days of exposure and other reports indicate that deterioration is significant after six months.

Comments on your experience please. I'd like to use Pan F but I'll continue to use FP4 rather than lose images.

 

[stompyq]

I'll be using a Rollei 3.5(Planar) for travel B&W photography in the future.

I've run some trials with Ilford Pan F and have been quite pleased with the 16x20 prints I've made from the negatives (processed in Mytol 1:1).

My concern is that there are numerous reports of latent image deterioration with PanF. Obviously, using Pan F for travel photography, I won't be processing the film immediately and could well go 8 weeks from shooting the film to processing all of it (I shoot a lot of film) once I return home.

What has been the experience of others here in the time scale for image deterioration to occur? Some reports suggest processing with 15 days of exposure and other reports indicate that deterioration is significant after six months.

Comments on your experience please. I'd like to use Pan F but I'll continue to use FP4 rather than lose images.

I've had exposed and unprocessed PanF+ in my refrigerator going back to June of this year. Processed a roll yesterday and didn't see any ill effects. These were street stuff though. Not landscapes. Or maybe my expectations aren't as high as yours.

 

[Pioneer]

Ilford themselves seem to feel that the latent image on exposed Pan F will last for several months based on their own film data sheet. This is from their own technical data sheet.

Once exposed, process PAN F Plus as soon as
practical – we recommend within 3 months.

EDIT - Though I have not reviewed them in complete detail I find it interesting that I do not find the same advisory statement for FP4 Plus or HP5 plus. There must be something about the emulsion used for Pan F Plus which allows a latent image to deteriorate if left too long before developing.

 

[sepiareverb]

2 months max in my experience, but I am picky. I would not use Pan F for the whole trip, only the second half.

I had several rolls of Pan F from a trip go a whole stop or more dimmer once by the time I got home and ran them. Never again.

 

[x-ray]

I don't know when you're leaving on the trip but if you're a couple of month away do a test. Shoot two rolls with identical exposures on the exact same subject. Bracket on the plus side in half stop increments. Go +-/2, +1, +1.5 and store one in a baggy in your freezer. Store the second at room temperature. Process both together and compare side by side.

I've shot a good bit of Pan F but can't say I've ever delayed processing more than a couple of days. I'd believe Ilford over other recommendations. There's no one more critical of the final product than the company that made the film. After all their reputation is on the line. If they say six months then it's six months before a detectable change occurs.

 

[michaelwj]

Ilford themselves seem to feel that the latent image on exposed Pan F will last for several months based on their own film data sheet. This is from their own technical data sheet.

Once exposed, process PAN F Plus as soon as
practical – we recommend within 3 months.

EDIT - Though I have not reviewed them in complete detail I find it interesting that I do not find the same advisory statement for FP4 Plus or HP5 plus. There must be something about the emulsion used for Pan F Plus which allows a latent image to deteriorate if left too long before developing.

HP5+ states "up to several months", but cautions with "when stored as recommended" which is 10-20 degrees C and dry.

The real kicker when travelling is the storage. Depending on where you're travelling, storing film at 10-20 degrees is sometimes impossible. Things will deteriorate faster as the temp goes up.
Based on the information given by the manufacturer I would go to 2-3 months assuming I could store it (more or less) correctly. Make sure you date the rolls so you process them chronologically too.

 

[Nokton48]

I lost about a stop of speed with some PanF rolls, but I waited a year to process. Don't do that, I won't again. I bought a whole case of 120 PanF from Midwest Photo, it's all in my deep freeze. Dollar a roll which was a great price back then. If you have time, you could test it. But storage temp could be an issue when traveling.

This film is wonderful in Pyro PMK+

 

[sepiareverb]

I don't know when you're leaving on the trip but if you're a couple of month away do a test...

Excellent idea.

?.. I'd believe Ilford over other recommendations. There's no one more critical of the final product than the company that made the film. After all their reputation is on the line. If they say six months then it's six months before a detectable change occurs.

In my experience storage has some effect on PanF latent image keeping, I don’t typically store exposed film in the fridge, as I’m usually able to run it in a timely fashion. I might start putting the PanF in there.

 

[x-ray]

In my experience storage has some effect on PanF latent image keeping, I don’t typically store exposed film in the fridge, as I’m usually able to run it in a timely fashion. I might start putting the PanF in there.

I don't like holding film for more than a few days. I'm too anxious to see what I shot. No matter what the manufacture says I still like to run my film within a few days. I'm that way about everything though and just can't stand to see thing not completed.

I'm a big believer in testing no matter whether it's ISO or development times. Everyone has a different view of what's ideal so a little fading might be ok.

One thing I thought of, the fading usually occurs in the shadows first. Contact Ilford and see if they have data as to how much fading occurs at the end of the first month then the second during storage at ambient temperature. Use that data to adjust exposure during shooting. For example if 1/2 stop fading accurs in two months, over expose your first film by 1/2 stop. Decrease the amount for film stored 1 month. There also may be some contrast loss and Ilford should be able to tell you. You could adjust development for that if you keep your film in baggies with dates as to when it's shot so you can extend development.

Adjusting exposure for shadows and extending development plus careful storage and notes you can make it work. The degradation should be predictable under average conditions.