Expired Polaroid Type 55, Still Good

Andrew O'Neill · Dec 22, 2024

It is now 16 years past its best by date, and the pods are still fine. Unlike the New55 pods that dried up after a year.

aconbere · Dec 22, 2024

I was just gifted three rolls of Type-47. Any wagers on if it will work?

Andrew O'Neill · Dec 22, 2024

aconbere said:
I was just gifted three rolls of Type-47. Any wagers on if it will work?

How old is it? You'll get a good idea by gently feeling the pods. If still soft, then most likely okay.
EDIT: Wait a sec... this is ancient stuff, so there's only one way to find out...

dpurdy · Dec 22, 2024

I was recently very surprised cleaning out a box of old crap. I used to use type 55 just to verify focus and then throw it in the trash. I did work out once how to take the unprocessed exposed film out and process it in a tray. Anyway I have several boxes of many types of old polaroid in both 4x5 and 665. I was about to drop it all in the garbage and just out of curiosity I tried a sheet and lo and behold all the types still work. I had stored a lot of it at sub zero for many years but recently I read on the box that you are not supposed to freeze. Oh well it still works along with all the boxes I didn't freeze.

aconbere · Dec 22, 2024

Andrew O'Neill said:
How old is it? You'll get a good idea by gently feeling the pods. If still soft, then most likely okay.
EDIT: Wait a sec... this is ancient stuff, so there's only one way to find out...

Yeah my plan is just to shoot it! I hadn’t actually checked the date. The box says “Use before May 1968” which I mean… I’m close right?

Hunter_Compton · Dec 22, 2024

aconbere said:
Yeah my plan is just to shoot it! I hadn’t actually checked the date. The box says “Use before May 1968” which I mean… I’m close right?

In my experience, the instant roll films of that age will likely have dried out reagent pods, so you're unlikely to see any development on the finished print.

I've successfully shot some type 47 from 1992, but even if stored well, expect some kind of image, but with low contrast, streaks and obvious image defects.

aconbere · Dec 22, 2024

Hunter_Compton said:
In my experience, the instant roll films of that age will likely have dried out reagent pods, so you're unlikely to see any development on the finished print.

I've successfully shot some type 47 from 1992, but even if stored well, expect some kind of image, but with low contrast, streaks and obvious image defects.

It came with a 110a I plan on converting to shoot 4x5 so this is kind of a one time chance to try some original roll film. No expectations from me

Truzi · Dec 23, 2024

aconbere said:
I was just gifted three rolls of Type-47. Any wagers on if it will work?

I'll wager you get at least one "usable" photo.

I ended up with my Great Grandmother's Polaroid The 800 about 10 years ago. My father kept it when she had died, and I'd never seen it growing up, so it hadn't been used in decades. I freed-up the shutter, and found some film on ebay.

A box made in the 80s completely failed, but one from the mid-60s gave me some usable images. They weren't great, but were quite recognizable.

Andrew O'Neill · Dec 23, 2024

If I ever get my hands on that 110 camera, I'd convert it to 4x5. Neat looking camera!

aconbere · Dec 23, 2024

Andrew O'Neill said:
If I ever get my hands on that 110 camera, I'd convert it to 4x5. Neat looking camera!

Not to fully derail the thread, but the reason I have this 110a is because I converted a 120 a few months ago and love it! Been keeping my eye out for other copy’s going for cheap to do another conversion and pass off to a friend. I can absolutely recommend it as a 4x5 camera that is a bit more comfortable to hand hold than a classic press camera.

dpurdy · Dec 23, 2024

Well I have a 110A in brand new condition. I also as stated earlier just found out my 664 and 665 film still works in it. I hate to sell things and I have no idea what it is worth and I am not a subscriber with the ability to sell here. But maybe I will get off my butt sometime and sell a bunch of stuff.

Expired Polaroid Type 55, Still Good

Andrew O'Neill

Moderator

aconbere

Andrew O'Neill

Moderator

dpurdy

aconbere

Attachments

Hunter_Compton

aconbere

Truzi

Andrew O'Neill

Moderator

aconbere

dpurdy

Expired Polaroid Type 55, Still Good

Moderator

Moderator

Attachments

Moderator

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency