Life of refrigerated film

[rick_strome]

I need to use some refrigerated (not frozen) film (Kodak Ektar 25)

that is 2-1/2 years past its expiration date. Has anyone used film

this old and come out with good results?

This film is no longer produced.

Thanks, Rick

[torbjxrn_aase1]

I have used some rolls Ektachrome 100 Plus with expiry date about 2 years ago. The result was good, maybe with a very little cyan tint.

 

Another roll of Ektachrome about 10 years past expiry date gave a very visible magenta tint.

 

Torbjxrn Aase

[kevin_oke]

Hi Rick,

 

I'm still at work on a large quantity of Ektar 25 - 120 with an expiration date of June 95. This film has been refrigerated from the day I bought it. From what I can tell there is no problem at all with the color or contrast. Many of the prints I make are 16x20 and larger and the processing is done by a professional lab. One item I've noticed on some 35mm Ektar 25 is that many labs seem to have a terrible time with the color correction. Find a good lab and stick with them.

[trace_dibble1]

Kevin, all that film must be taking up a LOT of refrigerator space. I'd be more than happy to take some of it off your hands. Why? I'm just a 'giving' sort of person; I can't help myself...

[kevin_oke]

Why would I want to get rid of Ektar 25?. It's probably the most impressive negative film ever made. Just received a 30x40 print that would blow you away. For the photographers shooting this film, I rate it at ASA 16. Very impressive. I have my stock, does Kodak still make an ASA 25 negative film for when I run out?

P.S. My wife made me buy a seperate fridge for my film and beer. Not much room for beer most of the time.

[roger krueger]

Kodak has warned that faster film will deteriorate even when

frozen due to cosmic ray bombardment (though not as fast as it

would room temperature or just refrigerated), so a freezerful of

PJC or 2475 would be less useful than a freezerful of RZ.

 

In any event, a freezer isn't magic - it will dramatically extend

the life of your film, but not indefinitely. Don't expect that RZ

to still be useful 30 years from now.

 

(Does Kodak get a kickback from freezer manufacturers every time

they kill a good no-alternative-available emulsion?)

 

Print film is generally more useful after long storage than slide

film because, while the color may have shifted quite a bit, who cares?

That's what a good lab is for -- to make sure your prints have good

color even when the negs may not.