Expired film

[MindofMel]

Hi all,

On ebay and gumtree im seeing people selling film dirt cheap as its expired and they are quoting that its good for lomography / effects etc?

If you buy expired film, what effect is likely to happen to the pics you shoot with it or does it depend on the film?

 

[EdMoss]

All depends on how it's been stored.
If it's been sat on a radiator then don't expect much, if it's frozen since day of purchase in a sealed container, then depending on film speed and age it should be OK.

 

[Jakska]

It does depend on the film but more often than not with consumer colour films (superia, kodak gold etc) there are colour shifts and increased grain. Depending on how old they are they sometimes lose a bit of speed as well so you'd have to rate the ISO a little under what it says. With "pro" films (Portra, NPS etc) the natural characteristics of the emulsions are enhanced slightly, so with Portra NC you'd get much more neutral colour (often a yellow cast too) and with Portra VC you'd get more vivid tones. I personally use cheap expired films to test cameras/lenses or for things that aren't particularly important rather than stuff I depend upon.

 

[MindofMel]

most of the films im finding expired are consumer ones - I reckon im going to buy a bundle - im quite interested in the "pot luck" element of what you might end up with