How long do films last?

[mechsympathy]

Going on holiday soon and the underwater camera we have is a film one. We've dug it out and have got a spare film from when it was last used two years ago. What are the chances it'll be ok?

[beano500]

Surprisingly good, I expect. Depends how it has been stored (and how critical the application will be).

Always used to use well out of date films when I was young and broke, and the biggest issue would probably be colour casts and lack of contrast - you can soon overcome those when you've scanned them into a computer.

[mechsympathy]

Cheers. That's what I figured. It's a very cheap camera, so quality is never going to be good.

[Elderly]

It should have its 'use by' date on the carton.



I would imagine that an 'amateur' negative stock (kept cool) would be good for a long time after its date, whilst 'pro' reversal stock probably would not be.


Pro film stock was always short dated whilst the amateur stuff always had years and years on the carton.

[DIW35]

Just don't leave it as long before you get it developed, as exposed film generally has a much shorter shelf life.

[Jenx]

I've got a bag of mixed films that must be at least 15 years old

[pauljc]

Jenx said:

I've got a bag of mixed films that must be at least 15 years old

Not quite that old but I bought in bulk and then went digital

[mechsympathy]

Elderly said:

It should have its 'use by' date on the carton.



I would imagine that an 'amateur' negative stock (kept cool) would be good for a long time after its date, whilst 'pro' reversal stock probably would not be.

No carton, it's just in its pot. Temperature wise is a bit iffy as it's spent a few months in Africa in a landy We'll use it anyway, no loss if they're rubbish.

[pauljc]

mechsympathy said:

Going on holiday soon and the underwater camera we have is a film one. We've dug it out and have got a spare film from when it was last used two years ago. What are the chances it'll be ok?

mechsympathy said:

Elderly said:

It should have its 'use by' date on the carton.

I would imagine that an 'amateur' negative stock (kept cool) would be good for a long time after its date, whilst 'pro' reversal stock probably would not be.

No carton, it's just in its pot. Temperature wise is a bit iffy as it's spent a few months in Africa in a landy We'll use it anyway, no loss if they're rubbish.

For the sake of a few quid spent on a new film why risk losing what could be some nice underwater photos?

[mechsympathy]

pauljc said:

For the sake of a few quid spent on a new film why risk losing what could be some nice underwater photos?

This is my argument, the wife disagrees. I was hoping someone would tell me it's FUBARed

[Major Bloodnok]

mechsympathy said:

pauljc said:

For the sake of a few quid spent on a new film why risk losing what could be some nice underwater photos?

This is my argument, the wife disagrees. I was hoping someone would tell me it's FUBARed

It'll be FUBARed. Honestly. Won't work - you'd best get some new...

[ThatPhilBrettGuy]

mechsympathy said:

We'll use it anyway, no loss if they're rubbish.

If you count the developing costs as no loss that works... which it obviously doesn't.

[mechsympathy]

Cheers guys. I'm just going to pop out and buy another one