shooting a roll of color film

[sanarota]

Is it worth shooting a roll of color film left in a camera for over thirty years? I was given a 35 mm camera, already loaded with color film over thirty years prior. Because the film is so old, I'd like to shoot a special project with it, hoping for some interesting effects.

 

I've read that under the best conditions, color film might last around 5 years after expiration. The film in this camera has been sitting in a garage's closet for over the past thirty years.

 

Before I go through the trouble of shooting a serious project, is it possible the film might be too old?

[Carlos]

I had a quick google for stuff.

 

The 2 issues seem to be that as the film ages colour shifts might be introduces, and that the longer it's sitting about, the more chance there is of fogging from cosmic radiation.

I didn't see anything too specific on what you might expect after 30 years though.

 

The other thing to think about is the film process and format.

If it's a C41 35mm film, then should be easy enough, but other combinations might need a specialist shop for developing/printing.

 

You might want to get it hand processed anyhow, so automatic adjustments don't try to cancel out any weird effects from the old film.

[Njugle]

Temperature is also key in film preservation. A garage closet sounds cool/cold to me so there is every chance that your film will provide some result.

[Ghostrider]

Hmmm....I know that, somewhere, I have an camera sitting with a part used roll of film in it from circa 1982/83, which, once....or rather if....it is ever unearthed again, I was planning to head straight for the nearest skip with. Maybe it is worth doing something with after all.

 

That said, probably near impossible these days to find anyone geared up to handle the 126 film cartridge the thing used....Skip bound after all I doot.

[Spinner72]

Firstly, though I have limited experience in film, my father had a great deal, and he kept his films and camera's in a cupboard in the porch to keep them cool, to avoid condensation and such.

 

Assuming the mechanics of the camera are fine, It would be reasonobl to assume the film were as well.

 

Personally, I'd proceed with a careful shoot, but duplicate with a digital camera too just to preserve the memorire

[MaxFusion]

If it's a 30 year old film I wouldn't hold out much hope.

I've used up films that have been keep in proper conditions and found that some had stuck together. to top that the exposure doesn't come out the same either, generally washed out looking if I mind right(it was a while ago)

 

that said I just found this for you(scroll down to the "old film" bit)

 

http://www.bailey-family.org.uk/Photography/OldFilms/index.html