Expired Film - Advice needed

[danic]

Hi all,

I'm looking at purchasing some expired Portra 160nc. It's been expired for a reasonable amount of time, and I'm wondering if anyone has any advice for me.

Is it worth it? It' supposedly been refridgerated since it was purchased as well.

Cheers,
Danic

[mjs1973]

If it's been stored properly, I would think it should be fine. If you purchase it, I would shoot a test roll first and see how it turns out before using it on something really important like a wedding or other paid job.

I have purchased expired film in the past and have never had a problem with it.

[photophorous]

How old is it? How good is the deal? If it's only a few years out of date and it's been kept refrigerated, it should be fine. If it has gotten too hot or if it's a lot older than that, it might not be worth it. If the price is good and you don't plan to do anything real important with it, you don't have much to loose. I agree that you should shoot a test roll before depending on it, and it might be a good idea to bracket some shots to see what ISO works best.

Paul

[Asylum Steve]

I'm looking at purchasing some expired Portra 160nc. It's been expired for a reasonable amount of time, and I'm wondering if anyone has any advice for me...

Even if the film has been subject to normal lengthy storage, the worst is it probably will show some slight color shifting. If you scan and post-process your images on a computer, that's usually easy enough to correct...

[danic]

Cheers Guys,

The film has been expired for about 4 years. I don't plan on doing anything special with it, I just want to shoot some nice film for my benefit.

I'll be scanning my shots anyway, so I'll have the ability to fix any colour shift, but I'll try not to. I like working with what I have, if you know what I mean

[Asylum Steve]

I'll have the ability to fix any colour shift, but I'll try not to. I like working with what I have, if you know what I mean

Well, in that case it will look like it was cross-processed, which surfaces as a very trendy fashion photo style from time to time...

[danic]

I've never heard of the expression cross processed, what does it mean?

[Asylum Steve]

I've never heard of the expression cross processed, what does it mean?

With film, color film processed in the "wrong" chemstry. IOW, slide film in C-41 developer, or print film in E-6 developer. With digital, many of these film effects are easily created using color controls or pre-set FX filters.

As I said, it is a noticable color shift from "accurate" in an image. Now, take an ordinary scene, and it may simply look like a mistake (or expired film, heh heh). But, make it a pretty lady in a fashion shot, and it becomes stylish...

Below is the original and a cross-process effect done in photoshop.

Model: Mandie Mutchie Hair/MU: Lynn Golovich

[danic]

Ah, right. I see. It's interesting, I never thought of it like that. I was wondering how I'm going to shoot 160nc, whether I do shoot it at 160 or shoot at 100 as I don't think any of my local labs will be able to process at 160.

I'm trying to see if anyone does shoot it at 100, but I can't seem too find anyone

EDIT: Or will this result in the cross processing as it may result in a colour shift?

I'm looking to purchase the film in the next 3-4 weeks, so it should be another 6 weeks before I get right into it. I have to wait for my tax cheque to come back

Nice photo's BTW!

[mjs1973]

I don't think any of my local labs will be able to process at 160.

Why not? Any lab should be able to process this film, even Walmart.

[Greg McCary]

I have 160 processed all of the time. Anyone will do it.

[ctg]

You shouldn't have any processing problems as standard processing time for color negative films is pretty much a constant. I'ave been shooting some out-date Fuji 400 @ ASA 320 setting but it isn't pro film & being dated I thought it best to increase (adjust) the exposure.
I have shot 160 before @ the rated film speed without any problem, pro film (the stuff they keep in the cooler) is much tighter (in latitude) so you can go over board by over exposing it.