Expired film: what to expect
Cheap, unpredictable and often beautiful. How to shoot film that is past its date.
Written by Arch Club, which shoots only on film.
What happens as film ages
How much extra light
A common rule of thumb: give one more stop of exposure for every decade past the date. Storage matters more than age. Film kept in a fridge or freezer can look almost fresh; film from a hot attic can be ruined.
| Past its date | Box speed 400, rate it at |
|---|---|
| Up to 5 years, cold stored | 400 or 200 |
| About 10 years | 200 |
| About 20 years | 100 |
| Unknown storage | Overexpose generously and hope |
Which films age best
- Black and white is the most forgiving.
- Colour negative is next, with stronger shifts.
- Slide film is least forgiving; colour casts are hard to correct.
Tips
- Shoot one test roll from a batch before trusting the rest.
- Tell the lab it is expired.
- Use it for play, not for pictures you can't repeat.
ARCH CLUB
A members' club for foot photography, shot only on film.
Every Arch Club photograph is made on a Canon EOS-1V, a Mamiya 7 or a Fuji GW690II, with real models in New York and never AI. Members receive new film photographs every month, and collectors can own the original negative, sealed in display resin with a print of their choice.
Anyone can find a picture. Few will ever hold a photograph.
Visit Arch ClubPublished by Arch Club, Brooklyn, New York.