Expired film is a common term that will pop up when searching for photographic film. But what does it mean? Does camera film have an end date? What happens if you use expired photographic film?
If you're looking for help with expired film, we have the answers to your questions below. We look at what it is, why it happens, and how to minimalize the degradation.
cover photo by Emin Sefiyarov
Vicente Dolz
How Long Does Photography Film Last?
Photographic film degrades over time. The plastic layers of the film will exist for a very long time; yet, it is mainly the light sensitivity that becomes the issue. The chemicals start to break down, leaving the film less sensitive to light. Colors begin to fade, contrast dullens, and film grain is more noticeable. All these aspects reduce the quality of the film and the resulting image.
No one can give an exact or clear answer on how long photographic film will last. The difficulty is that it depends on the chemical makeup of the film, and how the film is stored. Manufacturers' expiration date on all film types (as well as instant film), yet this is more of a guideline than an actual use-by date. The date they give is around 2 years from the film’s manufacture. Yet photographers see no difference after shooting and developing some films after a decade.
Do Some Photographic Films Last Longer than Others?
Yes – some films last longer than other film brands. The biggest difference will come when comparing color to black and white photographic film. The biggest issue with B&W is the contrast and film grain, whereas, with color, the tones, hues, and shades will fade. Photographers have noticed a faster ‘fogging’ on slower-speed films when compared to faster films with the same expiration length.
For black and white film, Ilford Pan F expires faster than other films. The manufacturer recommends processing after a maximum of 15 days. Otherwise, image degradation becomes significant. Usually, latent image retention is less problematic for B&W, but in all cases, you should research and contact the manufacturer if need be.
NB - Kodak Pro Image 100 was specifically for South America and Asia due to their increased heat and humidity levels.
How To Store Camera Film – How Can you Make it Last Longer?
When it comes to storing photographic film, make sure they are cool, dry, and kept in a dark area. You can’t go wrong with keeping your film in a dedicated photography fridge. But if one is not available, keep it tucked away in a cupboard, away from damp, large changes in temperature and exposure to light. Cold areas slow down degradation, whereas freezing temperatures stop it. Yes, your films can stay in the freezer.
All types of photographic film suffer from degradation, and following the above will help keep lengthen the film’s lifespan. Perhaps you don’t want to store your film correctly – after all, expired film can give strange, unexpected color shifts. For interesting results, experiment with exposure to heat and light before using. You can also make film soup.
NB – If you place your photographic film in the fridge, make sure they return to room temperature before shooting
How to Tell if Photographic Film Has Expired?
Like all perishable products, there is an expiration date on all films. The placement will differ depending on the size of the film. For 35 mm film, the date is on the individual box. You won’t find it on the film canister or holder. For medium format 120 film, you will find it on the individual wrapper, or the multi-pack box it came in. It won’t be on the paper part of the individual roll.
For instant film, it’s a little different as Polaroid changed the system in 2008. If you have pre-2008 photographic film, it will show ‘Use Before’ on the box. Film post-2008 will show ‘Production Date’, giving the user a year before its expiration. You can also find it on the silver, light-proof packaging. Large format film will show the end date on the 4x5 or 8x10 box.
Can you Fix Expired Film?
The failing light sensitivity on expired photographic film cant be fixed, but it can be minimalized. The only option available in an analog sense is to ‘downrate’ the film. This means tricking the film into thinking it is faster than it is. If the expired film is 100 ASA, developing the film as 50 ASA will return some of the detail and contrast, while keeping the film grain smaller.
Shooting with Expired Film
Expired film is very common on platforms such as eBay and Etsy. Some professional shops, such as The Film Photography Project might also sell them. But why? Isn’t this the opposite of what professional photographers want? Well yes and no. A photographer isn’t going to use expired film unless for a creative reason. Expired films still have a use, even if unpredictable.
Photographic images are created from a chemical reaction. Light hits silver halides (and dyes in color film) to produce a negative or positive. If the film has expired, chances are the dyes and silver halides have degraded, reducing quality. Color shifts can be subtle; they can also be extreme, depending on how the film was stored. It comes down to the emulsion used, which differs between manufacturers, brands, film sizes, and speeds. Some will shift towards blue, others might make your scene more magenta.
NB – Older films will show more degradation; slower films, such as 800 ASA will degrade faster