Film use by dates?

stephen_G · 11-28-2021, 02:40 PM

Hi all, I have a couple of rolls of unused film, (probably over thirty years old!) in my camera bag.
One of the films is Kodachrome 64, the other is Tri-X. Will these still be useable?

Ausable · 11-28-2021, 03:38 PM

If the films had been frozen, then I would have said that they might be useable. However, since they have been at room temperature or higher for 30 years, they are essentially worthless, IMHO. Even if the Kodachrome had been frozen, however, I don't think that you can get Kodachrome developed anywhere.

womble · 11-28-2021, 03:49 PM

You can develop Kodachrome as a BW film I believe, but as Ausable said, you cannot get it developed in colour any more.

brianmquinn · 11-28-2021, 04:24 PM

In have my own darkroom and would try the Tri-X, but I would rate it at 100 and then develop it ASAP using my Kodak HC-110 (the old stuff, not the newer version). If you plan on having someone else develop the film, good luck. I don't think you will get OK results. As was said earlier Kodachrome cannot be processes by any lab.

Wheatfield · 11-28-2021, 04:36 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by stephen_G

Hi all, I have a couple of rolls of unused film, (probably over thirty years old!) in my camera bag.
One of the films is Kodachrome 64, the other is Tri-X. Will these still be useable?

For the price of a couple of rolls of film, toss them. It isn't worth your time.

**Bob 256** · 11-28-2021, 05:05 PM

In the case of unused film, I agree with Wheatfield.You can still buy new Tri-X.

You're probably going to have to provide for the development of either one of these yourself (you might find a B&W lab for the Tri-x). Chances are the old film will have deteriorated and you won't know if it's you or the film when you get bad results. Kodachrome developed as B&W still needs to have an extra step of removing the REMjet backing before it can be printed as B&W - toss it (or use it to train yourself how to load film reels in the dark).

https://www.adorama.com/kktx24u.html

**pentaxus** · 11-28-2021, 10:16 PM

For old films the storage is possibly more important than age. If a film spent time in the car glove box, using it will be a waste of time and resources. Exposed kodachrome that might have something of family of historical importance is one thing. Shooting unexposed Kodachrome is a waste of time in my opinion.

officiousbystander · 11-29-2021, 12:25 AM

I've just developed Fujicolor 100 which had been loaded in a Ricoh P&S since 1992. It was still OK.

As for Kodachrome, it's still possible to develop yourself. But looks like it would be a labour of love:
https://emulsive.org/articles/darkroom/developing-film/they-took-my-kodachro...rought-it-back

Or you could star in your own movie:

You Tube

Or documentary:

You Tube

Or just cut your losses.

stephen_G · 11-29-2021, 02:44 AM

Thanks to everyone for your advice.

**Michail_P** · 11-29-2021, 07:28 AM

Good luck with this. Depending on the storage conditions you might still get results. But it’s highly unusual to see good ones. Toss the slide roll. Not worth the time/money.

murrelet · 11-29-2021, 02:25 PM - **1 Like**

I recently bought a camera out of boredom. It turned out to be a dud. But it came with a few rolls of 22-year old Tri-X and who-knows-how-expired Fuji color film. I shot 5 frames of the Tri-X to check how to meter it. These frames were then developed in D76 1:1 20°C for 9:45 (same dev time for fresh Tri-X). I ended up shooting the rest of the roll metering at 64 ISO.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CTnP-XSvxf4

stephen_G · 11-29-2021, 02:32 PM

Originally posted by murrelet

I recently bought a camera out of boredom. It turned out to be a dud. But it came with a few rolls of 22-year old Tri-X and who-knows-how-expired Fuji color film. I shot 5 frames of the Tri-X to check how to meter it. These frames were then developed in D76 1:1 20°C for 9:45 (same dev time for fresh Tri-X). I ended up shooting the rest of the roll metering at 64 ISO.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CTnP-XSvxf4

Thanks for that information, really intersting insight.
Unfortunately I don't have access to developing and priniting, so I will have to abandon the toll of Tri X

---------- Post added 11-29-21 at 02:34 PM ----------

Originally posted by Michail_P

Good luck with this. Depending on the storage conditions you might still get results. But it’s highly unusual to see good ones. Toss the slide roll. Not worth the time/money.

Thanks for the advice, will do. I will get some new film though as I want to continue using that medium along with a DSLR when I get it.

---------- Post added 11-29-21 at 02:34 PM ----------

Originally posted by Michail_P

Good luck with this. Depending on the storage conditions you might still get results. But it’s highly unusual to see good ones. Toss the slide roll. Not worth the time/money.

Thanks for the advice, will do. I will get some new film though as I want to continue using that medium along with a DSLR when I get it.

**Bob 256** · 11-29-2021, 03:28 PM

You can explore a range of films that are out there.

Tri-X was a classic and still exists, but there are quite a few other B&W options to look at.

Color films have few slide film options these days (alas, Kodachrome was a great slide film, but is no more). Ektachome is in production again and should work if you want slides. There are several color negative options as well as motion picture film (normally developed as a positive) developed as negative film. The latter is mostly for niche use as regular color negative films will yield the best color and can be developed by most any lab.

Check B&H and the following links and if you have a particular interest, use their search function. Amazon also offers a lot of films through second sources.

Good luck in your photo interests.

Home | Freestyle Photo & Imaging.

https://www.uniquephoto.com/film-cameras-and-supplies/film

stephen_G · 11-30-2021, 10:04 AM

Hi Bob, thanks for your kind reply which was very helpful.

Stephen

**TwoUptons** · 11-30-2021, 06:25 PM

I found a roll of Delta 400 620 (really 120 with the spool ground down by the folks at Blue Moon) in an old Kodak. It was 10 years out of date.

I shot the rest of it and had it developed. The half a roll I'd shot 10+ years ago looked fine. The recent shots were rubbish and poorly exposed.

I have no idea how that worked...

-Eric

11-28-2021, 02:40 PM	#1
stephen_G Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2021 Posts: 56	Film use by dates? Hi all, I have a couple of rolls of unused film, (probably over thirty years old!) in my camera bag. One of the films is Kodachrome 64, the other is Tri-X. Will these still be useable?

11-28-2021, 05:05 PM	#6
Bob 256 Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Idaho Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,375	In the case of unused film, I agree with Wheatfield.You can still buy new Tri-X. You're probably going to have to provide for the development of either one of these yourself (you might find a B&W lab for the Tri-x). Chances are the old film will have deteriorated and you won't know if it's you or the film when you get bad results. Kodachrome developed as B&W still needs to have an extra step of removing the REMjet backing before it can be printed as B&W - toss it (or use it to train yourself how to load film reels in the dark). https://www.adorama.com/kktx24u.html Last edited by Bob 256; 11-28-2021 at 05:14 PM.

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11-28-2021, 03:38 PM	#2
Ausable Senior Member Join Date: May 2019 Posts: 148	If the films had been frozen, then I would have said that they might be useable. However, since they have been at room temperature or higher for 30 years, they are essentially worthless, IMHO. Even if the Kodachrome had been frozen, however, I don't think that you can get Kodachrome developed anywhere.

11-28-2021, 03:49 PM	#3
womble Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Hertfordshire Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,324	You can develop Kodachrome as a BW film I believe, but as Ausable said, you cannot get it developed in colour any more.

11-28-2021, 04:24 PM	#4
brianmquinn Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Cincinnati Photos: Gallery Posts: 79	In have my own darkroom and would try the Tri-X, but I would rate it at 100 and then develop it ASAP using my Kodak HC-110 (the old stuff, not the newer version). If you plan on having someone else develop the film, good luck. I don't think you will get OK results. As was said earlier Kodachrome cannot be processes by any lab.

11-28-2021, 04:36 PM - 2 Likes	#5
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,981	Originally posted by stephen_G Hi all, I have a couple of rolls of unused film, (probably over thirty years old!) in my camera bag. One of the films is Kodachrome 64, the other is Tri-X. Will these still be useable? For the price of a couple of rolls of film, toss them. It isn't worth your time.

11-28-2021, 10:16 PM	#7
pentaxus Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Central Coast, CA Posts: 1,313	For old films the storage is possibly more important than age. If a film spent time in the car glove box, using it will be a waste of time and resources. Exposed kodachrome that might have something of family of historical importance is one thing. Shooting unexposed Kodachrome is a waste of time in my opinion.

11-29-2021, 02:44 AM	#9
stephen_G Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2021 Posts: 56 Original Poster	Thanks to everyone for your advice.

11-29-2021, 07:28 AM	#10
Michail_P Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Kalymnos Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,006	Good luck with this. Depending on the storage conditions you might still get results. But it’s highly unusual to see good ones. Toss the slide roll. Not worth the time/money.

11-29-2021, 02:25 PM - 1 Like	#11
murrelet Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Portland, OR, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 506	I recently bought a camera out of boredom. It turned out to be a dud. But it came with a few rolls of 22-year old Tri-X and who-knows-how-expired Fuji color film. I shot 5 frames of the Tri-X to check how to meter it. These frames were then developed in D76 1:1 20°C for 9:45 (same dev time for fresh Tri-X). I ended up shooting the rest of the roll metering at 64 ISO. https://www.instagram.com/p/CTnP-XSvxf4

11-29-2021, 02:32 PM	#12
stephen_G Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2021 Posts: 56 Original Poster	Originally posted by murrelet I recently bought a camera out of boredom. It turned out to be a dud. But it came with a few rolls of 22-year old Tri-X and who-knows-how-expired Fuji color film. I shot 5 frames of the Tri-X to check how to meter it. These frames were then developed in D76 1:1 20°C for 9:45 (same dev time for fresh Tri-X). I ended up shooting the rest of the roll metering at 64 ISO. https://www.instagram.com/p/CTnP-XSvxf4 Thanks for that information, really intersting insight. Unfortunately I don't have access to developing and priniting, so I will have to abandon the toll of Tri X ---------- Post added 11-29-21 at 02:34 PM ---------- Originally posted by Michail_P Good luck with this. Depending on the storage conditions you might still get results. But it’s highly unusual to see good ones. Toss the slide roll. Not worth the time/money. Thanks for the advice, will do. I will get some new film though as I want to continue using that medium along with a DSLR when I get it. ---------- Post added 11-29-21 at 02:34 PM ---------- Originally posted by Michail_P Good luck with this. Depending on the storage conditions you might still get results. But it’s highly unusual to see good ones. Toss the slide roll. Not worth the time/money. Thanks for the advice, will do. I will get some new film though as I want to continue using that medium along with a DSLR when I get it.

11-29-2021, 03:28 PM	#13
Bob 256 Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Idaho Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,375	You can explore a range of films that are out there. Tri-X was a classic and still exists, but there are quite a few other B&W options to look at. Color films have few slide film options these days (alas, Kodachrome was a great slide film, but is no more). Ektachome is in production again and should work if you want slides. There are several color negative options as well as motion picture film (normally developed as a positive) developed as negative film. The latter is mostly for niche use as regular color negative films will yield the best color and can be developed by most any lab. Check B&H and the following links and if you have a particular interest, use their search function. Amazon also offers a lot of films through second sources. Good luck in your photo interests. Home \| Freestyle Photo & Imaging. https://www.uniquephoto.com/film-cameras-and-supplies/film

11-30-2021, 10:04 AM	#14
stephen_G Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2021 Posts: 56 Original Poster	Hi Bob, thanks for your kind reply which was very helpful. Stephen

11-30-2021, 06:25 PM	#15
TwoUptons Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2015 Photos: Albums Posts: 4,213	I found a roll of Delta 400 620 (really 120 with the spool ground down by the folks at Blue Moon) in an old Kodak. It was 10 years out of date. I shot the rest of it and had it developed. The half a roll I'd shot 10+ years ago looked fine. The recent shots were rubbish and poorly exposed. I have no idea how that worked... -Eric