Frozen and refrigerated film

<p>I know that thisw has probally discussed before but I need a few answers.<br>

I.m shooting film again and am looking at some of the deals on Ebay.<br>

Theres a lot of film that is expired but clains that it was either cold stored or frozen since purchase.<br>

Some are from studios or camera shops. 29 rolls of Ektachrome frozen since pro pavk purchase in 2004.. This one seem viable. there are others cold stored and 5 years out of date,<br>

Just how long would you trust cold stored film and how long for frozen film.</p>

 

<p>What is the price? They should be fine but if it is even remotely expensive I would not chance it.</p>

<p>You get better "deals" from Freestyle, BHPhoto or Adorama, and no suprises either. :)</p>

 

<p>a) I wouldn't trust someone else's storage to my images, and b) I never find very good deals on film. The prices on auction film end up being nearly what I would pay for new film from the sources listed above.</p>

<p>I buy interesting discontinued B&W films on eBay, but not (in general) color film. Only exception was 5 boxes of 9x12cm E100G from Hunt's, since that's a very very hard size to find in the US, and they still keep sheet film in a fridge. With the price of quality E-6 processing so high, I don't see the point of saving a few bucks on the film.<br>

If you do buy expired film, buy in moderately large lots, so you can test it out and know what to expect from the rest of the lot.<br>

Also a good deal can be 100 foot bulk rolls that are several years out of date. TMAX 100 is really durable, as is Plus-X. Even Tri-X is darned forgiving of expiration.</p>

<p>I think I would steer clear of it as well. Last year I was given about 100 rolls of 35mm and 120 film for free. It was from a local portrait studio that had switched digital. Even though all of it had been frozen, some rolls have been bad and some good. I shot some rolls that had expired in the early 90's and some that expired in the early 2000's; and there was no way to tell which would work out and which would not so I just quit using all of it.<br>

John is right, the price of E-6 processing has gotten to be so high that the price of the film itself is no longer a concern to me.</p>

<p>I've been burnt on expired colour film that I don't mess with it anymore: a waste of $ and my time.</p>

<p>I've gotten lucky. I got 25 rolls and then later 10 rolls of short dated Reala (expiration was about 3 months out) from Ritz for $.99 a roll about a year and a half ago. I froze it right away and I am still getting good results. I shoot a roll of it every month or two and I have about 10-12 rolls left and I've yet to get a dud in it. It helps that it is all 'from the same batch' and quite possible from the actual same master roll.<br>

At any rate, I'd only trust stuff from a relatively reputable dealer for expired film and then only if it is recently expired. I'd trust B&W quite a bit and color less and higher speed color not at all. Unless it is simply short dated I wouldn't trust anything faster then 100 speed film if it was expired (and then not by more then a couple of years just to be safe). This is mostly just because I don't trust other people's storage.</p>

I've bought small batches of still in date Elite Chrome 100 on EBay, put it in my freezer, and have had no problems.

<p>For high speed film (400 and up), don't mess with expired film. With 800 speed film, I don't even like to use film that is within a few months of expiration. (The images are OK, but not as good as with fresh film.) Freezers wont protect film from radiation.</p>

<p>For low speed film (100 and lower), you can take a chance, but check the feedback on the seller. There is still some risk.</p>

<p>I bought much film from Hunts on Ebay, usually just as it expires. Takes me a while to shoot it, but I keep it in the freezer and its fine.</p>

<p>Anthony</p>

<p>I always keep my film in a fridge and have used some that is out of date (maybe up to a year) with no serious side effects. However, you must remember that films also expire due to background radiation which is not slowed down by freezing. When I get my film back I wonder whether any poor photos are my fault or the film's fault. Since film is the cheapest part of the photo equation I'd sooner be sure and try to stick to in-date film. My memories are worth more than a few extra pence.</p>