Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!

striker_ · 08-13-2013, 03:15 AM

Hi.

I want to try shooting film the manual way and bought some films. They have expired (Agfa APX exp. 2008) but have been in the freezer all time till now in room temp. Are they still usable?

They are:

Agfa APX 100
Kodak Ektapress Multispeed
Fujifilm Fujicolor Press 400, 800, 1600
Fujifilm Superia 100, 200
Agfachrome RSX II

I have no idea which are good or bad. Anyone I should avoid?

MarkJerling · 08-13-2013, 03:43 AM

My experience has been that the expiration date is not necessarily a problem, but it depends largely how the film was stored. I personally never stored film in the freezer and I would therefore be worried about ice crystals and subsequent water marks. I used to store film in the fridge, in an airtight (dry) container, but never below freezing conditions. If the film was in dry air before going into the freezer, it should be fine. Unfortunately, the only way you'll know for sure is to shoot and see!

APX 100 (black & white) was a good film, quite high in grain, but good rendering in shadows.
Ektapress Multispeed was good film too. Good, fine grain film.
I used to shoot a lot of Fujicolour Press, but if this is as old as the Agfa at exp. 2008, I'd be surprised if the results from the 800 and 1600 film is any good. With luck, the 400 should be OK.
Superia is still a current film, so far as I'm aware and a good, all round film.
I've never shot RSX II so can't offer an opinion on that one!

Zav · 08-13-2013, 04:18 AM

They should still be good as they were frozen.
I have had some good experiences with the APX100.

LesDMess · 08-13-2013, 05:29 AM

Fuji Press film of various speeds are generally finer grained then others of the same speed except at 800 where Kodak Portra 800 or Fuji NPZ are finer grained. Fuji press film has exceptional latitude, gives good natural colors and easy to work with in mixed light.
Agfa RSX II is an ISO 50 film that provides good natural colors, very good latitude and very fine grain.
If kept frozen, then I would not have any reservations of shooting them except possibly the 1600.

Here is an example of grossly expired film that has been kept in a hot garage in Georgia. It is an ISO 125 film but results indicate it is best to shoot at ISO 64 ~ 32.

Link to larger -> http://www.fototime.com/06C423C68E76028/orig.jpg

This one is grossly expired Fuji Superia 1600 that was also not kept in a freezer. It benefits from shooting at slower speed.

Link to larger -> http://www.fototime.com/104F97076DE3899/orig.jpg

Of course if you are shooting a critical event, it would be wise to test a roll before it.

LesDMess · 08-13-2013, 05:32 AM

Originally posted by MarkJerling

My experience has been that the expiration date is not necessarily a problem, but it depends largely how the film was stored. I personally never stored film in the freezer and I would therefore be worried about ice crystals and subsequent water marks. I used to store film in the fridge, in an airtight (dry) container, but never below freezing conditions. If the film was in dry air before going into the freezer, it should be fine. Unfortunately, the only way you'll know for sure is to shoot and see!

Never had a problem in hundreds of rolls that was attributable to ice crystals. Keep mine in it's original canister unopened and in a zip lock bag and wait for it to be room temperature before putting it in my camera.

titrisol · 08-13-2013, 11:48 AM

APX 100 was my bread-n-butter film for years, is an excellent film. Classical tones and very nice renditions.
Depending on how you are going to develop it you may need to adjust the ISO setting to 80 (Rodinal/D76) or increase it to 125 (Tmax/DDX/Xtol)

The other films were very good in their time, use them and enjoy them.

striker_ · 08-13-2013, 03:38 PM

Thanks for the replies. I think I will test each of them to see the results (and maybe skip the 1600). I have no idea what developing processo they will use because I will send them in to get developed.

I assume BW is easier to digitalize than colored.

Analog photography so expensive but I really want to experience it.

Experience/fun/interest is more important than money though.

LesDMess · 08-13-2013, 05:24 PM

B&W processing for Agfa APX 100.
E6 (slide, chrome) processing for Agfachrome RSX II
Most common C41 (negatives) processing for these - Kodak Ektapress Multispeed, Fujifilm Fujicolor Press 400, 800, 1600, Fujifilm Superia 100, 200. Never tried the Kodak Multispeed but looks interesting.

titrisol · 08-14-2013, 01:09 PM

Do not skip any of them!
use them all and enjoy whatever results you get!

Louicio · 08-14-2013, 05:10 PM

All film is good... =)

**gofour3** · 08-14-2013, 07:05 PM

Originally posted by Louicio

All film is good... =)

Yep +1, try them all.

No film is bad, some are just better than others.

Phil.

striker_ · 08-15-2013, 03:58 AM

Ok. Ill test one of each. not all of them. I've got more than 30 of them!

I dont know why i bought so much but it was cheap. 20 USD for all.

Louicio · 08-15-2013, 06:02 AM

More than 30 of each or total? Either way that is heaps! Go nuts!!!

striker_ · 08-15-2013, 06:27 AM

Total.

30 of each would be massive!

titrisol · 08-15-2013, 09:44 AM

If you buy a home deelopment kit and chemicals youu will be set for APX and any other black and white film
Yu can probably get the equipment for almost nothing

08-13-2013, 03:15 AM	#1
striker_ Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Sweden Posts: 158	Got a bunch of films - Which are good? Hi. I want to try shooting film the manual way and bought some films. They have expired (Agfa APX exp. 2008) but have been in the freezer all time till now in room temp. Are they still usable? They are: Agfa APX 100 Kodak Ektapress Multispeed Fujifilm Fujicolor Press 400, 800, 1600 Fujifilm Superia 100, 200 Agfachrome RSX II I have no idea which are good or bad. Anyone I should avoid?

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
New to SLR - with a bunch of questions!	konradsiekierski	Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras	30	08-16-2013 02:13 PM
A K10D and a bunch of barely cooperative lenses	geometree	Welcomes and Introductions	3	04-03-2013 05:26 PM
Which zoom lens are good for wide angle?	fr3nzy	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	14	12-21-2012 09:47 AM
Kit lenses, which ones are good?	ozlizard	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	8	05-30-2011 07:47 PM
A gift of m42 lenses, but are they good?	mutedphotos	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	23	06-08-2008 12:27 AM

08-13-2013, 03:43 AM	#2
MarkJerling Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Wairarapa, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 20,423	My experience has been that the expiration date is not necessarily a problem, but it depends largely how the film was stored. I personally never stored film in the freezer and I would therefore be worried about ice crystals and subsequent water marks. I used to store film in the fridge, in an airtight (dry) container, but never below freezing conditions. If the film was in dry air before going into the freezer, it should be fine. Unfortunately, the only way you'll know for sure is to shoot and see! APX 100 (black & white) was a good film, quite high in grain, but good rendering in shadows. Ektapress Multispeed was good film too. Good, fine grain film. I used to shoot a lot of Fujicolour Press, but if this is as old as the Agfa at exp. 2008, I'd be surprised if the results from the 800 and 1600 film is any good. With luck, the 400 should be OK. Superia is still a current film, so far as I'm aware and a good, all round film. I've never shot RSX II so can't offer an opinion on that one!

08-13-2013, 04:18 AM	#3
Zav Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,371	They should still be good as they were frozen. I have had some good experiences with the APX100.

08-13-2013, 05:29 AM	#4
LesDMess Pentaxian Join Date: May 2011 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,235	Fuji Press film of various speeds are generally finer grained then others of the same speed except at 800 where Kodak Portra 800 or Fuji NPZ are finer grained. Fuji press film has exceptional latitude, gives good natural colors and easy to work with in mixed light. Agfa RSX II is an ISO 50 film that provides good natural colors, very good latitude and very fine grain. If kept frozen, then I would not have any reservations of shooting them except possibly the 1600. Here is an example of grossly expired film that has been kept in a hot garage in Georgia. It is an ISO 125 film but results indicate it is best to shoot at ISO 64 ~ 32. Link to larger -> http://www.fototime.com/06C423C68E76028/orig.jpg This one is grossly expired Fuji Superia 1600 that was also not kept in a freezer. It benefits from shooting at slower speed. Link to larger -> http://www.fototime.com/104F97076DE3899/orig.jpg Of course if you are shooting a critical event, it would be wise to test a roll before it.

08-13-2013, 05:32 AM	#5
LesDMess Pentaxian Join Date: May 2011 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,235	Originally posted by MarkJerling My experience has been that the expiration date is not necessarily a problem, but it depends largely how the film was stored. I personally never stored film in the freezer and I would therefore be worried about ice crystals and subsequent water marks. I used to store film in the fridge, in an airtight (dry) container, but never below freezing conditions. If the film was in dry air before going into the freezer, it should be fine. Unfortunately, the only way you'll know for sure is to shoot and see! Never had a problem in hundreds of rolls that was attributable to ice crystals. Keep mine in it's original canister unopened and in a zip lock bag and wait for it to be room temperature before putting it in my camera.

08-13-2013, 11:48 AM	#6
titrisol Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: In the most populated state... state of denial Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,854	APX 100 was my bread-n-butter film for years, is an excellent film. Classical tones and very nice renditions. Depending on how you are going to develop it you may need to adjust the ISO setting to 80 (Rodinal/D76) or increase it to 125 (Tmax/DDX/Xtol) The other films were very good in their time, use them and enjoy them.

08-13-2013, 03:38 PM	#7
striker_ Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Sweden Posts: 158 Original Poster	Thanks for the replies. I think I will test each of them to see the results (and maybe skip the 1600). I have no idea what developing processo they will use because I will send them in to get developed. I assume BW is easier to digitalize than colored. Analog photography so expensive but I really want to experience it. Experience/fun/interest is more important than money though.

08-13-2013, 05:24 PM	#8
LesDMess Pentaxian Join Date: May 2011 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,235	B&W processing for Agfa APX 100. E6 (slide, chrome) processing for Agfachrome RSX II Most common C41 (negatives) processing for these - Kodak Ektapress Multispeed, Fujifilm Fujicolor Press 400, 800, 1600, Fujifilm Superia 100, 200. Never tried the Kodak Multispeed but looks interesting.

08-14-2013, 01:09 PM	#9
titrisol Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: In the most populated state... state of denial Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,854	Do not skip any of them! use them all and enjoy whatever results you get!

08-14-2013, 05:10 PM	#10
Louicio Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Melbourne Posts: 432	All film is good... =)

08-14-2013, 07:05 PM	#11
gofour3 Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 8,093	Originally posted by Louicio All film is good... =) Yep +1, try them all. No film is bad, some are just better than others. Phil.

08-15-2013, 03:58 AM	#12
striker_ Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Sweden Posts: 158 Original Poster	Ok. Ill test one of each. not all of them. I've got more than 30 of them! I dont know why i bought so much but it was cheap. 20 USD for all.

08-15-2013, 06:02 AM	#13
Louicio Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Melbourne Posts: 432	More than 30 of each or total? Either way that is heaps! Go nuts!!!

08-15-2013, 06:27 AM	#14
striker_ Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Sweden Posts: 158 Original Poster	Total. 30 of each would be massive!

08-15-2013, 09:44 AM	#15
titrisol Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: In the most populated state... state of denial Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,854	If you buy a home deelopment kit and chemicals youu will be set for APX and any other black and white film Yu can probably get the equipment for almost nothing

Got a bunch of films - Which are good?

Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!