View Full Version : Expiration date on box?
kevs-2323668
23-Oct-2013, 18:06
Just received boxes of 4x5, TMY 400 and Portra 400 from BH. Can't find expiration dates, are they there? thanks.
Normally on the side of the box, written on the label; format is usually 03/2014.
kevs-2323668
23-Oct-2013, 19:11
Thanks Ari, don't know how I missed it. For BW or Color, how much after the expiration would you say it's still safe to shoot? Same question for my color transparency I still have 100
Jim Andrada
23-Oct-2013, 21:02
B&W - years and years
Color - years. I've never had trouble with color films that were a few years past date.
Maybe 8 or 10 years would be pushing it a bit but 3 to 5 should be OK
YMMV
Harold_4074
23-Oct-2013, 22:01
B&W - years and years
If "properly" stored, anyway. The last five sheets in a box of HP5+ with an expiration date of 12/12 were pretty foggy when processed a few days ago. But that is 400-speed film stored in an unairconditioned building in a locale where 100F and above are not unusual during the summers. Slower film, in a cooler environment, keeps much better.
If in doubt, and particularly if the pictures are important, test before committing---that box from B&H might just have been a return from a customer who declined to mention that he had left it on a radiator for a few weeks in the winter...unlikely, but possible.
Daniel Stone
24-Oct-2013, 00:13
Thanks Ari, don't know how I missed it. For BW or Color, how much after the expiration would you say it's still safe to shoot? Same question for my color transparency I still have 100
I've shot Fujichrome 100D that expired in 1992, and it turned out fine :). It was frozen up until the time I bought it, and I used it quickly after buying it, but it was fine :)
B/W, the oldest stuff I've used was some 4x5 Tri-X from the mid 60s. It had base fog, but I could print through it without much issue. It was a 100sht box, so I shot 5 sheets as "testers" and gauged my necessary processing times from those 5 exposures(I rated it @ 50asa). Negs were fine. IDK storage conditions of this stuff from all the years it sat, unopened and probably went through a few different owners before I got my mitts on it.
-Dan
kevs-2323668
24-Oct-2013, 16:52
Jim, H, Daniel, thanks great info.
I should just keep everything (including Fuji instant film) in my fridge correct? Honestly I would prefer keeping it in on of my closets, and the 4x5 boxes really do crowd my fridge a bit.
No desire to test Harold, at now $4.00 per sheet!!
I should just keep everything (including Fuji instant film) in my fridge correct?
I always freeze my film from the time I receive it until a week or so before I expect to use it.
I don't shoot instant film. I believe it should not be frozen.
Once opened, I keep it in the darkroom which is in my basement, cool and dark, but not refrigerated.
I'll normally use a 20/25-sheet box in a week or two.
- Leigh
kevs-2323668
24-Oct-2013, 20:29
I did not know it's ok to freeze film.
I did not know it's ok to freeze film.
Absolutely yes (except NO for Polaroid instant film).
Do a search for "freezer" here and you'll find hundreds of posts talking about it.
- Leigh
I've shot Fujichrome 100D that expired in 1992, and it turned out fine :).
Was that back in 1993?
Seriously though, if you are shooting something important, testing is not a bad idea, and if you dont want to test, just buy new film, thats bound to be cheaper.
kevs-2323668
25-Oct-2013, 20:18
Excellent, thanks L, so BW/ color, all ok in freezer. Now freezer will extend life how much more than refrigerator? And now I guess you don't even really need either until the expiration date is approaching?
It's worth remembering that all the companies were required to put much shorter expiry dates on films to meet ISO 9001 standards, this was more to do with stock control & rotation than actual shelf life of the emulsions.
Ilford don't actually recommend freezing their emulsions, they suggest storing in a cool, dry, place, on the other hand they do suggest if you do freeze films or papers you let them thaw slowly for a few days before use.
Ian
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