Analog camera film development?

Question

How can an regular camera Film stays without development in its Pack? I have some since a year or more, and dont have time to go and develope them and i am afraid they are damaged or something.

Answer 1

Film does have a shelf life and like most "organic" things age and temperature can have an affect on it.

Most film, if stored properly in a very cool dry place (like your refrigerator), will last 1-2 years without any trouble. I'm not suggesting you put your camera in their with exposed film, but those rolls that you have that are unexposed would be very happy on the door in the fridge.

Exposing the film doesn't shorten it's life, but it does take the film out of it's preferred element so the clock is ticking. If your camera has been in a controlled environment (your house or apartment lets say) and not exposed to extreme heat (like in the back seat of a car on a hot day), you should be able to successfully develop this film for up to a year afterward.

Notice I said "should". There are no guarantees here since it depends on how old the film was when you put it in and other variables such as that.

I would suggest you rewind whatever is left on the spool and drop it off at your nearest drug-store or mega-mart for developing (they can get it done in about an hour). The longer you wait the better your chances are that the film expire and the pictures will either be blurry, grainy, or not recognizable.

I've developed film from a disposable camera I found in my suitcase from 3 years ago. The pictures were OK (Fuji 200 Film), it was good quality film so I attribute the loss in quality to the age. The shots were still enjoyable, but they weren't nearly as crisp as if I'd remembered to get the shot developed quickly.

Answer 2

Just put them in a baggie and stick them in the freezer. Take them out the day before you plan on bringing them in to be developed. If the film hasn't been hot, it will still be fine for a year or so, longer if it's kept cold.

I am a lab manager. Routinely I see film that is several years old come out with images intact. The older it gets, the more it degrades, but most consumer film is still all right for a couple of years following the expiration date, IF it doesn't get hot!

Answer 3

I think your film is ok, go develop it. it might not be perfect but it will be good enough for you (if you leave film undeveloped for that long, let's just say that you are NOT that serious about photography, so you probably couldn't tell the difference between developing it now or a year ago.