bad batch of Tmax 100?

[Bob Salomon]

Thanks Bernice,
I honestly only use the 8x10 for my artwork, and use my 4x5 or 5x7 when it's more important.
Mostly because of the more modern shutters in my smaller formats. I only use barrel lenses on the 8x10.
In this case all 4 lost shots were within an hours drive from my moms house.

So, almost 2 hours lost getting and returning from the spot + lost time shooting + almost another 2 hours lost to get and return there again + the time shooting!

What do you value your time at?

+ lost time processing and now having to reprocess the reshoot!

How much have you really saved on old film?

+ what could you have done if you hadn’t lost all that time?

[Bob Salomon]

Looks like some kind of storage issue involving moisture. You can't blame the manufacturer.

+1 if it was a film problem he would not be the only one with it!

[Serge S]

Yes, I've soured on using expired film. Not worth it, especially when you get strange artifacts etc.

So, almost 2 hours lost getting and returning from the spot + lost time shooting + almost another 2 hours lost to get and return there again + the time shooting!

What do you value your time at?

+ lost time processing and now having to reprocess the reshoot!

How much have you really saved on old film?

+ what could you have done if you hadn’t lost all that time?

[Liquid Artist]

I wasn't blaming anyone Drew,
I have just never seen an issue like it and was wondering what caused it.
Plus if there was a work around.

So, almost 2 hours lost getting and returning from the spot + lost time shooting + almost another 2 hours lost to get and return there again + the time shooting!

What do you value your time at?

+ lost time processing and now having to reprocess the reshoot!

How much have you really saved on old film?

+ what could you have done if you hadn’t lost all that time?

Although I can understand what you are saying I guess I am different than most people here Bob,
However where I live it isn't uncommon for people to drive an hour just for a good meal out. It's actually the closest city.
Besides I mainly use a camera as therapy at this point in time.
I have a stressful job and the camera and darkroom is what keeps me sane.

In the near future that I am hoping that will change, and I will be able take photography more seriously.

[Drew Wiley]

I've bought and used, with complete success, quite a bit of expired sheet film; but it was always from reputable sources where I was apprised of the specific storage circumstances (refrigerated and still factory-sealed!). Second, I always used such films for non-critical applications (experimentation, sheer fun, subject matter that could be repeated if necessary), never for client work or personal usage which involved a lot of associated expense or difficulty.

[Fred L]

...What do you value your time at?...

While a negative, and The Print, are what many of us have as end goals for our efforts, for some, and I count myself as well, getting outside in gorgeous country is part of the package. I wouldn't mind killing a couple of hours driving around Kelowna and interior B.C., looking for a photograph. Same with most of Ontario, esp in the boreal forests of northern Ontario. I'd also guess, visiting his/her mom is part of the equation.

[Liquid Artist]

You know you are always welcome here Fred, the same as anyone else here.
I will try my best to take time off work, and guide you around.
Last year I brought out my Linhof 4x5 for an East Coast tour ( with fresh film of course) and loved it.
If you have a chance I would also recommend Yellowknife. I spend 2 months there every winter.

[Fred L]

Yellowknife is fine, esp around the float plane base and Old Town, but I would love to go back and visit Whitehorse as well. Definitely a different vibe, less frontier and resource extraction town feel.

[Willie]

Why not get ahold of the folks at Kodak and see if you can send them some sheets so they can check it out. Not to get free film - but to find out what the problem is? They have most likely seen it before. Or, if something new maybe they will name the problem after you?

[Liquid Artist]

Good idea Willie,

I did a test strip from my box of expired in 1991 film, and I am pleasantly surprised.
It looks like shooting it around ISO 50 is just about right. Very little fogging if any.

So all in all I am only out a little time and energy.