Expired Slide film - Worth buying?

Ben johns

Ben johns

Suspended / Banned
Messages
957
Name
Ben
Edit My Images
No
Ive seen a few rolls of ektachrome from 2007 for about the price of 1 roll of brand new ektachrome. Will the expired film perform fairly well? It says it was stored in a 'cool dark place' so its not fridged stored.
 
FishyFish said:
I’ve had good results with expired E6 film - even stuff that I’ve no idea on how it was stored, and some dated 2003 - but it’s always worth being aware that it can be a bit of a crap shoot, so maybe don’t use it for a once-in-a lifetime photo opportunity.
Click to expand...
Thats what Id plan on using it for. I'll probably chuck a bid on a forget about it, have to take into account processing cost too.
Would you expose it at box speed? I think I've heard that you add a stop for each decade for negative film
 
Ben johns said:
Would you expose it at box speed? I think I've heard that you add a stop for each decade for negative film
Click to expand...

One stop per decade is the rule of thumb for colour negative film (if it's not been refrigerated). I'd be more careful with E6 film as it won't take much overexposure to blow the highlights.

I'd either shoot it at box speed (given the claim that it's been stored ina cool dark place), or maybe half a stop over-exposed. I'd also aim to shoot subjects in even light if possible to avoid heavy contrasts and the need to choose between blown highlights or noisy, detail-less shadows. That might be my lack of metering experience at play though. :)

This article is quite useful: https://emulsive.org/articles/rants...no-you-do-not-need-to-add-one-stop-per-decade
 
I've shot a bit of slide film of that sort of vintage, and it's been ok by my standards. I'd probably give it an extra stop. I'd process it in C41 as well, but not everyone aproves of that.
 
I've got box of Fuji E6 that expired in 1999. I've shot 2 rolls and everything came out green. Sort of fixable in post but didn't blow me away
 
Ben johns said:
Thats what Id plan on using it for. I'll probably chuck a bid on a forget about it, have to take into account processing cost too.
Would you expose it at box speed? I think I've heard that you add a stop for each decade for negative film
Click to expand...


IF it's cheap enough, might be worth using the first film through as a test. Shoot a few frames at box speed then a few at +1/3 stop, 1 few at +2/3 etc. Six frames at each setting will give you 6 different exposures so you should get a good idea as to what's "correct". (Knock it back to 4 shots per setting for a 24 shot roll!)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top