Ilford FP4 expired in 2004 but frozen, what to do? Shoot it?

[Torontoamateur]

I found two boxed (25 each) of FP4 in 8x10 frozen since 2002 and now expired since 2004. Always frozen. Should I shoot it? what speed? any compensation? What will I end up with if I do use it? If you had this experience I ask for guidance.

[David Schaller]

Absolutely, or send it to me!

[paulbarden]

I found two boxed (25 each) of FP4 in 8x10 frozen since 2002 and now expired since 2004. Always frozen. Should I shoot it? what speed? any compensation? What will I end up with if I do use it? If you had this experience I ask for guidance.

Start by exposing a test sheet at 50 ASA, process normally, and evaluate. This film should work perfectly well, but with some possible loss of speed.

[Ulophot]

Well, given what it would cost to replace it, it surely is worth a few sheets to find out. When you say found, I assume you mean that you already have it in hand.
Load a sheet, expose normally to a full range subject, noting down where the scene values fall on the gray scale, by Zone System or simply by indicated stops,so that you know particularly where you should be seeing minimal and substantial detail in the low values. Process normally. That will give you a starting point.

If the film has lost sensitivity, that's one thing. If it shows fog, someone else here will be able to suggest a benotriazole or other formula that may help.

[Vaughn]

Treat it like new film and go for it. A test sheet or two, for sure, but treat it normally and go from there.

Reasoning: We have no idea how accurate your meter is or how you use it. No idea on the accuracy of your shutter. No idea of the SBR you will be facing, or how you develop, the state of your chemicals, how you are going to print the image, and so forth.

So assuming your personal film speed at this point is not possible...so believe in the power of the freezer, treat it as new and go from there!

[Drew Wiley]

It's probably just fine. I recently thawed some 8x10 a decade older than that, and can't see any difference from brand new.

[Torontoamateur]

Slould I use Xtol to develop? I understand it is good to preserve speed? I usually use HC110 or Rodinal . Is Xtol better for this frozen and old film? I ask because I can buy some and have it delivered this week and then the test may be better.

[Mark Sampson]

HC-110 is often used for expired film because it helps keep the fog level down. I'd just test with that. Once you've run the exposure/development test, you should be fine. Slower films like FP4+ age more gracefully than faster films, too.

[Drew Wiley]

Just use your normal developer choice. If you are really paranoid about this, do a test shot and develop that. If the film has indeed been frozen all this time, it's highly unlikely you're going to have any kind of fog issue.

[Torontoamateur]

Thank ALL for the helpful advice !! Happy Easter!!

[Two23]

Just use your normal developer choice. If you are really paranoid about this, do a test shot and develop that. If the film has indeed been frozen all this time, it's highly unlikely you're going to have any kind of fog issue.



Agree.


Kent in SD

[Carsten Wolff]

It's probably just fine. I recently thawed some 8x10 a decade older than that, and can't see any difference from brand new.

What Drew said.

To add: I developed a 120 format roll of FP4+ exposed in 1996 and spending the next 12 years very unchilled in the back of a drawer, (in the tropics in temps reaching over 100F during the wet season) in HC-110 without any fog or noticable loss of speed... since then I don't fuss with slow speed b/w film storage too much. (Likewise, I e.g. still use warm stored Lith film expired in the '60s....)

[ic-racer]

The answer is not here, it is in the film. You have to test the film to answer the questions.

[Jim Noel]

Don't shoot it - take pictures with it.

[Vaughn]

Don't shoot it - take pictures with it.

Don't steal pictures...make them! :cool:

[Jim Noel]

I found two boxed (25 each) of FP4 in 8x10 frozen since 2002 and now expired since 2004. Always frozen. Should I shoot it? what speed? any compensation? What will I end up with if I do use it? If you had this experience I ask for guidance.

Use it as if new. It should have no problem if it has not been wet. My friends will tell you I rarely use "in date" film.

[Torontoamateur]

A novel Idea !

[Tom Monego]

Just found a bulk loader with TMax100 in it expired 1996, not frozen. Took a deep breath and tried it, no fog, has been giving good images.