Just bought a box of expired TMAX400 25 sheet 8x10

[Steven Ruttenberg]

Dude said stored at room temp, box not opened. Expired 07/2003. Got it for 155. Like playing craps in Vegas, won't know till you roll the dice, but hopefully it should be fine. Considering current price for 25 sheets from BH is $524.98. Nothing like pricing to make one proficient at photography! :)

[Sal Santamaura]

I predict significant fog. Even if stored away from radioactive granite, which makes TYM's propensity for fogging even worse. Good luck!

[Steven Ruttenberg]

Thanks, I just developed 4 year old bw, transparency and color neg with no issues. But, give this is 21 years overdue, who knows. The box is still sealed.

[Kino]

Isn't the prevailing wisdom that you can simply, "print through the fog"?

[Steven Ruttenberg]

Don't know

[paulbarden]

Don't know

I'm betting you're gonna find out!

[Steven Ruttenberg]

I sure hope to find out. hopefully it will be good news!

[Mark Sampson]

Here's the easy way to find your answer.
Cut a sheet into 4x5s and make four exposures. 1)normal 2) 1 stop over 3) 2 stops over 4) 3 stops over.
Develop normally- whatever your usual method is.
Make a 'proper proof'- minimum exposure for max on the film edge. The best looking image will determine your EI for that film.

@Kino, yes you can "print through the fog", but it's best to get your shadows separated from the fog- thus the speed loss.
I've found that film far older than this can provide excellent results- but you must test first.

[Steven Ruttenberg]

This is gonna be trial by fire

[ic-racer]

I got two 50 sheet boxes of Tmax-400 8x10 sometime around 2012 and finished it around 2015. As I recall the expiry was somewhere around 2009. The film worked very well with only minimal fogging and it really spoiled me on 8x10 Tmax-400. I have never used anything better in all these years. Though that is also the only Tmax-400 8x10 I have ever used as the new/fresh film is just too expensive for someone who does photography for pleasure.

248192

[Andrew O'Neill]

My money is on it being fine. I've got a box of 4x5 tmax, expired 2000. I bought it new in '98 in Japan. Sat in a drawer, in my darkroom. Started using the remaining sheets about a year ago. It was in excellent condition. Kodak films are very robust.

[Steven Ruttenberg]

I got two 50 sheet boxes of Tmax-400 8x10 sometime around 2012 and finished it around 2015. As I recall the expiry was somewhere around 2009. The film worked very well with only minimal fogging and it really spoiled me on 8x10 Tmax-400. I have never used anything better in all these years. Though that is also the only Tmax-400 8x10 I have ever used as the new/fresh film is just too expensive for someone who does photography for pleasure.

248192

Yeah, the stuff is pricy. I will get a box or 2 for a year and be very picky about popping open the shutter. Hopefully prices come down a bit. Good to know it ages well.

[Steven Ruttenberg]

My money is on it being fine. I've got a box of 4x5 tmax, expired 2000. I bought it new in '98 in Japan. Sat in a drawer, in my darkroom. Started using the remaining sheets about a year ago. It was in excellent condition. Kodak films are very robust.

Excellent, good to hear.

[Drew Wiley]

Just try it. It might be fine. But I wouldn't hold your breath for any price break on new film. I've used plenty of 20yr old film, but kept it frozen before use.

[Steven Ruttenberg]

I am not expecting a price break, but one can hope.

[Drew Wiley]

I highly recommend just buying the 4X5 version instead, then making sure the fine print on the box states it's on Rubbermaid film base rather than Estar. Then all you need is a film stretcher, and you can easily turn it into 8x10 size.

[Steven Ruttenberg]

Developed first image from the lot. This is an iphone shot of negative on light table.

Race Track looking North in Death Valley. North end of the Race Track by the Grand Stand.

8x10 image shot with Tmax400 20 years plus expired film. Extar 14in Commercial lens. Negative shot on light table with iphone. Will scan after drum scanner repaired. Might use my V850.

Was about 30 degrees outside with about a 20kt wind.

[j.e.simmons]

I bough a case of TMX expired in 1996. I'm using the last box now with no problems.

[Steven Ruttenberg]

Film can be quite amazing if taken care of properly!