My current inventory of film that has been in the freezer.

[GaryFlorida]

Lately theres been scuttlebut about the future of film and its availability. I havent shot film for probably 5 or 10 years. I bought a bunch of it a while back and kept it in the freezer. Due to more important family matters I took a break from photography but now I would like to get back into it. It seems I have more film than I thought. My goal of shooting 1 roll per month with a different camera (I have 12) each month may be more realistic than I thought without buying any more film (but maybe I should stock up now).

Anyway, heres what I found in the freezer.

Ilford FP4 Plus 125, 35mm, 36 exp., 10 rolls, Exp. Oct 2025
Ilford FP4 Plus 125, 120, 10 rolls, Exp. Oct 2022
Ilford FP4 Plus 125, 120, 2 rolls, Exp. Apr 2017

Kodak Tri-x-400, 120, 2 rolls, Exp. Jan 2016
Kodak Gold 200 24 exp 3 rolls, No date
Kodak Max 400 24 exp 1 roll, No date
Fuji Superia X-Tra 36 exp, 400, 4 rolls, Feb 2021
Prestige 200, 27 exp, color print, made in Germany, 2 rolls, No date

So in total I have 34 rolls of film. The Ilford expires Oct 2025. All of it is expired by 2 to 8 years except the FP4 35mm which has a year to go yet. Do you think it will cause me problems that it is expired? With this supply I could shoot for almost 3 years 1 roll per month. I wasnt sure if I should start a new thread or add it to my thread on the future of film.

 

[rcphoto]

I wouldnt worry about the FP4 at all. I doubt you will have any issue with the color films either. Slower films tend to hold up to age better in my experience than faster films.

 

[GregY]

I don't work in color at all...but you'll be good w the B&W film...keep it refrigerated until use.

 

[Sirius Glass]

E*N*J*O*Y!

 

[GaryFlorida]

Ok thanks Greg

 

[mshchem]

It's probably all fine. Buy film and paper. It's fun.

 

[Nicholas Lindan]

As others have stated, there shouldn't be any problems. There may be a slight increase in the Tri-X's fog level - but not anything that anyone would take serious notice of.

I can't see any reason for buying more film unless you are trying to ensure your children won't inherit your money. There will be plenty of advance notice before film is no longer available. Heck, you can still buy dry-plates. Now, if they would just bring back 122 film.

 

[GaryFlorida]

As others have stated, there shouldn't be any problems. There may be a slight increase in the Tri-X's fog level - but not anything that anyone would take serious notice of.

I can't see any reason for buying more film unless you are trying to ensure your children won't inherit your money. There will be plenty of advance notice before film is no longer available. Heck, you can still buy dry-plates. Now, if they would just bring back 122 film.

Thanks Nicholas. I wish they would bring back 126 Cartridge film. It was square frames with a wierd sprocket spacing pattern. I had a Kodak 126 camera with a Schneider lens that I have since sold because I couldnt get film for it. I would have really liked to try that camera. I think it was a Kodak 500, iirc. I still have my dads childhood camera as well, Kodak Instamatic 404, would be fun to shoot it and add the negatives to my dads ancient negative that I still have.

 

[mshchem]

126 and 122! Bring it back. 122 = real photo postcards. 126 because it's awesome, flashcubes too!

 

[GaryFlorida]

126 and 122! Bring it back. 122 = real photo postcards. 126 because it's awesome, flashcubes too!

I dont even know what 122 is, I will have to look that up. Sounds fun.

 

[mshchem]

I dont even know what 122 is, I will have to look that up. Sounds fun.

3A Folding Pocket Kodak Camera

photographs and description of a 3A Folding Pocket Kodak Camera

www.vintagephoto.tv

3 1/2 × 5 1/2 inch negative. Contact print on Azo postcard paper. Billions of cards were produced before printing press images became common.

So cool.

 

[GaryFlorida]

3A Folding Pocket Kodak Camera

photographs and description of a 3A Folding Pocket Kodak Camera

www.vintagephoto.tv

3 1/2 × 5 1/2 inch negative. Contact print on Azo postcard paper. Billions of cards were produced before printing press images became common.

So cool.

sounds awesome. Do they make 6x9cm Azo postcard paper? Would that be too small to make a postcard?

 

[MattKing]

122 film and Azo paper are gone a very long time ago.

 

[koraks]

Kodak Gold 200 24 exp 3 rolls, No date
Kodak Max 400 24 exp 1 roll, No date
Fuji Superia X-Tra 36 exp, 400, 4 rolls, Feb 2021
Prestige 200, 27 exp, color print, made in Germany, 2 rolls, No date

Best use up the color film while it's within date, especially the 400 stuff.
You can fix the color stuff in digital post processing to an extent once it starts to go south.

 

[brbo]

I wish they would bring back 126 Cartridge film.

There you go. It's a BYOC (bring your own cartridge) and BW is sold out, but colour (Kodak Gold 200) is still available.

 

[GaryFlorida]

What is sold out? 126 perforated bulk film in b&w?

 

[GaryFlorida]

Best use up the color film while it's within date, especially the 400 stuff.
You can fix the color stuff in digital post processing to an extent once it starts to go south.

The Superia 400 has been expired since jan 2021 so its too late now its probably no good for anything but abstract art or photo shop projects.

 

[koraks]

The Superia 400 has been expired since jan 2021 so its too late now its probably no good for anything but abstract art or photo shop projects.

Nah, it'll still work and give presentable images. I'd try to use it up in the short term though. You may want to rate it at 200 just in case.

 

[ic-racer]

I avoid using expired film and paper and chemistry. Nothing but headaches.

 

[Truzi]

The Superia 400 has been expired since jan 2021 so its too late now its probably no good for anything but abstract art or photo shop projects.

It will probably be fine, especially if it was frozen and protected from moisture.

 

[Angarian]

Do you think it will cause me problems that it is expired?

No, as you have stored it in the freezer over all the years.
It will be fine, go out shooting, enjoy.

 

[loccdor]

Not very old and stored in the freezer. Color negative will usually look better with a +1 stop exposure even from fresh, so I'd do that. I'd rate the black and white as normal.

I have 2010 Tri-X that was not stored frozen and it's lost 1-1.5 stops of sensitivity. That's normal for 400 speed. 100 does better. Yours is frozen so you mostly just have the effect of cosmic rays, nothing too bad.

It's actually better that your color-negative films are consumer-grade as those are designed to last longer even without cold storage.

 

[Frank53]

I wouldnt worry about the FP4 at all. I doubt you will have any issue with the color films either. Slower films tend to hold up to age better in my experience than faster films.

I would (a bit). My fp4, expiring in 2022, had been in the fridge since buying it new. but did not look good after development. Ilford replaced it.

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

I;ve got two boxes of 4x5 Velvia 50 in the freezer that was discontinued in large format. I'm investing in it instead of gold.

 

[Prest_400]

I'm preparing for a trip where I'm bringing the Medium format(s) and today did an inventory, as to maybe order a bit extra.
106 rolls (equivalent as there are 5 of 220). 72 of color and 36 of B&W. Fun fact, I had a shipping box from my last photo order, 28x20x16cm, that I used to check the volume for luggage. All the film fits and fills that box, which is an interesting coincidence. The total weight is ~3.10kg

About frozen film, a lot of that is expired 2022, some Provia expired 2020 and I just saved it during the pandemic. The rest is 2023-24 expired because it was bought in the timeframe before the last significant price increases last year. I bought to freeze and in general (all film is ISO100-400) it should be well performing moderately past this period.