How long does it take film to expire?

mreimann · 11-04-2009, 09:45 PM

So i found an old camera and it had some film (not in the camera, still in film canister) and when i had it developed none of the pictures turned out. they were all faded red.

so was this my fault (i was doing long exposure photos at night) or just old film?

i took most of the pictures more than once and with different exposure lengths and such to make sure didn't over expose or under expose......so really doubt that it was my fault.

But i wasn't sure if film expire or not and how old it had to be

brianr · 11-04-2009, 10:01 PM

expired film doesnt neccesary mean it was bad. I have purchased "expired" rolls of film from shops, exposed the film and when it was processed it was just fine. "expired" film usually older than a year is no good if it wasnt kept cold.

Film should always be stored in a refrigerator or freezer. Lower temperatures prolong the decay.

Any film that is purchased should be refregerated up until a few days before exposure. If you dont plan on having the film proccessed immediately, put it back into the cold storage.

I have 10 or so roll of exposed slide film from about 5 years ago that is still in my refrigerator.

Mixed colors on exposed and processed film is sure sign moisture had reached the film pre-process.

mreimann · 11-04-2009, 10:13 PM

yah, i'm sure it was expired then. it was at room temp for probly 5+ years

but the cold film thing is good, cuz i have a bag full thats been in the freezer

Janster · 11-05-2009, 04:25 AM

I had some old 'disposable' cameras around for around 5 years before I got them developed. I was lucky to get only a few good pictures out of the entire 2 cameras (24exp).

xodeuce · 11-05-2009, 04:48 AM

If you've got film you know is expired, put it in the camera, shoot stuff that you won't be really pissed if it doesn't turn out (i.e. not the birth of your first child) and then take it and tell the lab you want it cross processed. This means they develop slide film in negative film chemicals and vice versa. It makes some really funky colors and contrast. I had a few rolls that I did that with, and some of them turned out pretty well. The look is similar to a lot of the digital post processing that is really popular right now.

11-04-2009, 09:45 PM	#1
mreimann vv I think it's growing Name: Matt Joined: Aug 2009, #21434 Location: Tucson, AZ Age: 18 Gender: Male Posts: 220 05 dbl cab BSP 4x4 2005 Double Cab Automatic Icon C/O, Bilstien 5100, add-a-leafs (3), Total Chaos UCA's, Pro Comp Steel 17x8, Destination A/T, URD CAI, Magnaflow 40, custom built Bed Basket. Lots of non-preformance mods as well	How long does it take film to expire? So i found an old camera and it had some film (not in the camera, still in film canister) and when i had it developed none of the pictures turned out. they were all faded red. so was this my fault (i was doing long exposure photos at night) or just old film? i took most of the pictures more than once and with different exposure lengths and such to make sure didn't over expose or under expose......so really doubt that it was my fault. But i wasn't sure if film expire or not and how old it had to be

11-04-2009, 10:01 PM	#2
brianr barge it Joined: Oct 2008, #10289 Age: 24 Gender: Dude Posts: 8,190 06 Prerunner 2006 Double Cab Automatic 4L totally De-badged, 4leaf TSB (AAL), Terra Grappler 265/70/17's, fog lights on anytime, no a/c in defrost setting, no door beep, bed mat, LED dome & map lights, license plate light LED's, tailgate theft deterent device, TW sticker, no tick rubber washer mod, tint, more stickers. -CLHLM coming soon.	expired film doesnt neccesary mean it was bad. I have purchased "expired" rolls of film from shops, exposed the film and when it was processed it was just fine. "expired" film usually older than a year is no good if it wasnt kept cold. Film should always be stored in a refrigerator or freezer. Lower temperatures prolong the decay. Any film that is purchased should be refregerated up until a few days before exposure. If you dont plan on having the film proccessed immediately, put it back into the cold storage. I have 10 or so roll of exposed slide film from about 5 years ago that is still in my refrigerator. Mixed colors on exposed and processed film is sure sign moisture had reached the film pre-process. __________________ Kennett Brewfest http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/nor...rewfest-8.html

11-05-2009, 04:25 AM	#4
Janster Old Fart Anonymous Joined: Mar 2007, #1138 Location: Lancaster, PA Age: 42 Gender: Female Posts: 6,295 2007 4.0L 4x4 TRD Sport Access Cab A 2007 Access Cab Automatic 4.0L Advantage Torza top (tri-fold), Husky floor mats, RuffTuff seat covers, C2C hood struts, Homelink mirror, USA Spec PA15-Toy (120gig Classic & 8gig nano), Garmin Nuvi 660, Protecta Bed mat, Pop-n-lock, TSB Springs, Scangauge II, Heated drivers seat, Fumoto drain valve, Aries pushbar, PIAA 540 fog lights, Hood scoop grahics, Flowmaster 50 series dual catback exhaust, RainX Latitude windshield wipers	I had some old 'disposable' cameras around for around 5 years before I got them developed. I was lucky to get only a few good pictures out of the entire 2 cameras (24exp). __________________ Our Homepage http://www.lieblweb.com/ My truck photo gallery http://www.lieblweb.com/cpg/thumbnails.php?album=16 I know I'm in my own little world, but it's ok, They know me here.

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11-04-2009, 10:13 PM	#3
mreimann vv I think it's growing Name: Matt Joined: Aug 2009, #21434 Location: Tucson, AZ Age: 18 Gender: Male Posts: 220 05 dbl cab BSP 4x4 2005 Double Cab Automatic Icon C/O, Bilstien 5100, add-a-leafs (3), Total Chaos UCA's, Pro Comp Steel 17x8, Destination A/T, URD CAI, Magnaflow 40, custom built Bed Basket. Lots of non-preformance mods as well	yah, i'm sure it was expired then. it was at room temp for probly 5+ years but the cold film thing is good, cuz i have a bag full thats been in the freezer

11-05-2009, 04:48 AM	#5
xodeuce Junior Member Joined: Oct 2009, #24427 Gender: Male Posts: 29	If you've got film you know is expired, put it in the camera, shoot stuff that you won't be really pissed if it doesn't turn out (i.e. not the birth of your first child) and then take it and tell the lab you want it cross processed. This means they develop slide film in negative film chemicals and vice versa. It makes some really funky colors and contrast. I had a few rolls that I did that with, and some of them turned out pretty well. The look is similar to a lot of the digital post processing that is really popular right now.