Kodak Plus-X film, expired 20 years ago: worthwhile purchase?

[ChrisPlatt]

I have been offered a small lot of 35mm Plus-X 35mm film.
I'm not sure how it was stored, so I will assume at ambient temperature the entire time.

I am well aware I can buy fresh stock of medium speed film for less.
Or is it worth buying the expired Plus-X instead?

If I do buy it what's the highest EI I might expect to expose it at?
Development would be in HC-110 or Rodinal only.

Suggestions?

TIA,
Chris

 

[hipsterdufus]

Always buy fresh film if costs are equal. Expired film will probably require you to burn off a "test" roll so that you can determine its actual film speed to get the negative density that you require.

For expired film, a lot of people prefer Rodinal stand development. It can massage some extra shadow detail out of expired films. So that's the method I would go with. Bonus for this is that, because it "flattens" the contrast of the negatives, they are then easier to scan (assuming you're doing a hybrid workflow).

If you haven't done it before: Rodinal Stand Development (How To!) / Rodinal Developer

 

[Alpsman]

Expired 20 (twenty) years ago?
Not sure how it was stored?
The film can't be so good that "I" would spend money on it.
If I were given one as a gift, I would gratefully accept it and first shoot a roll and see what happens.

I'm still shooting my Agfa APX 100, which expired in 2012, but it's been in the freezer since 2010. And I know that for sure because I put it in the freezer myself.

It's better to buy fresh film for that money while you can still buy some.

But that is just my humble opinion.

 

[Timmyjoe]

I agree with @Alpsman that fresh film is best, but I also am still shooting Agfa APX 100 from 2008 that has been freezered.

That being said, I found some Kodak Super XX that had expired six months before the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, that had been stored at room temperature, and I was miraculously able to get an image out of it.







Best,
-Tim

 

[ChrisPlatt]

I have some original AGFA APX100 from 2005 in bulk, refrigerated (by me) since it was fresh.
I should probably try to find my bulk loader and supply of Snap Caps and use that instead.

Chris

 

[filmtwit]

Expired B&W film is usually fine, but might have either slowed or might have fogging issues.

I never spend more than $1 per roll when it comes to expired film for the above reasons.
I have no idea who is pays like new prices for 20 year old film.

 

[wlewisiii]

Much as I loved Plus-X, I'd pass on this unless free or cost of shipping. Spend the money on FP4 instead.

 

[Godfrey]

Buy 20-year old film for new film prices..? No... Plus-X was never that special.

I still have a dozen rolls of Agfa APX-25 .. It hardly changes with age, and is special. I might use the last of it within the decade. 😉

 

[ChrisPlatt]

Buy 20-year old film for new film prices..? No... Plus-X was never that special.

Now if were Verichrome Pan I'd be willing to take a chance...

Chris

 

[wlewisiii]

Buy 20-year old film for new film prices..? No... Plus-X was never that special.

I still have a dozen rolls of Agfa APX-25 .. It hardly changes with age, and is special. I might use the last of it within the decade. 😉

Plus-X at EI400 developed in Diafine was to me. But everyone has different tastes but that was the best thing I ever scanned. Glorious blacks and greys.

I shifted almost completely to XP2 after Kodak stopped making Plus-X. Nothing else is quite right.

 

[boojum]

No

 

[Godfrey]

Plus-X at EI400 developed in Diafine was to me. But everyone has different tastes but that was the best thing I ever scanned. Glorious blacks and greys.

I shifted almost completely to XP2 after Kodak stopped making Plus-X. Nothing else is quite right.

Yes, everyone has different tastes.

Lately, I'm quite taken with the Ferrania P30 and P33. P30 is difficult to tame, P33 less so, but both have significant character and oomph.

Under Construction - Santa Clara 2022
Leica M4-2 + Summicron-M 50mm f/2
ISO 50 approximate film rating
Developed in HC-110, 1:99 from concentrate, for 16 minutes @ 72°F​

 

[Freakscene]

I have been offered a small lot of 35mm Plus-X 35mm film.
I'm not sure how it was stored, so I will assume at ambient temperature the entire time.

I am well aware I can buy fresh stock of medium speed film for less.
Or is it worth buying the expired Plus-X instead?

If I do buy it what's the highest EI I might expect to expose it at?
Development would be in HC-110 or Rodinal only.

Suggestions?

TIA,
Chris

I don’t like expired film unless I have stored it since it was in date.

Plus-X was gorgeous, by far my favourite film ever.



HC-110 is by far the best way to tame the fog that expired films inevitably have.

But I’d buy some fresh film and shoot that.

 

[Mackinaw]

Plus-X was gorgeous, by far my favourite film ever.

Plus-X is the only film that I really miss.

Jim B.

 

[ChrisPlatt]

Another bidder paid 30% more than my offer for the 20-year-old Plus-X film.

Problem solved! 🙂

Chris