Shooting on well-stored expired (2008) HP5+?

[oli_sones]

<p>Hi all,<br /> I have a number of expired (2008) rolls of HP5+ that were given to me by a photographer friend who had stored them in his film fridge. Question is, am I likely to come across any nasty surprises with this film? I've been storing it next to my bulk roll of HP5+ so just wondering whether it's ok to take away on a trip I'm going on tomorrow (there will be X-ray machines involved at the airport (not sure how expired film fares compared to in-date stock there?)). Or canister up the in-date stock....<br>

<br /> Look forward to your thoughts!</p>

<p> </p>

[AJG]

<p>Refrigerated B&W film should be OK at that age, although slower film ages more slowly.</p>

[oli_sones]

<p>Thanks Andrew. I actually processed a roll of the expired stock this afternoon as I had run it through a Lomo LC-A. Trouble is, I can't figure out whether the shots are foggy due to underexposure on some frames or age. Here are two shots - one outdoors and one indoors. I realise the LC-A isn't the most scientific of cameras to be using as a test but would be interested to know your thoughts...</p>

<p><img src="https://photography.olisones.com:2083/cpsess873385907/viewer/home%2folisones%2fpublic_html/expired1.jpg" alt="" /><br>

<img src="https://photography.olisones.com:2083/cpsess873385907/viewer/home%2folisones%2fpublic_html/expired2.jpg" alt="" /></p>

[AJG]

<p>Your samples aren't showing up--try posting them again.</p>

[oli_sones]

<p>Ah I'll try again...</p><div></div>

[oli_sones]

<p>And here is the daylight one.</p><div></div>

[thirteenthumbs]

<p>Photo #1 is severely under exposed. Photo #2 is possibly less than 1 stop under exposed or it may be the scanning.<br>

B&W ISO 400 film 7~8 years beyond expiration date may show an increase in base fog over fresh film in the same chemistry but less than a 1/4 stop difference. If you can manually set the film speed on that camera set it to 320 or 250. <br>

ISO range 200-250-320-400, 250 is +2/3 stop, 320 is + 1/3 stop, 200 is + 1 stop from 400.<br>

Photo 1 is what I experienced with TriX 30 years beyond expiration date, HP5+ should be similar.</p>

[glen_h]

<p>Yes, Tri-X 30 years beyond expiration shows fog. Underexposure means that the actual image is close to the fog level. The fog will show up in the darker (shadow) parts of the image (light parts in the negative.)</p>

<p>Stored refrigerated, or even normal (not tropical) room temperature, Tri-X and HP5+ should be fine after 8 years for ordinary use. For a trip, I would choose the more recent film.</p>

<p>If I am paying a lot for a trip, a little more for new film seems worthwhile. For a day trip, I usually don't worry so much.</p>

<p>I have seen VP fine after 30 years, and Panatomic-X fine at 50 years of room temperature storage.</p>

<p>For most films, you want the increased exposure to get more of the image above the fog level. <br>

Increased exposure often isn't bad for newer film.</p>