What is the shelf life of 35mm film?

Answer 1

Color film, kept dry in a freezer should last for several years past the expiration date. What you'll see as color film fails is a shift in the color balance. Indeed, the only difference between consumer color film and "pro" color film is that the pro stuff is stored properly and has a narrower window use time for use. Film that is extremely expired will also show signs of fogging, particularly if it is ISO400 or faster.

Black and white film, kept dry in a freezer will also last for many years. I shot a roll of Panatomic-X about two years ago that was expired in 1974. It still worked but was a bit fogged. I could not get as much contrast out of it as when it was new.

Again, the slower the ISO speed (called ASA in those days) the longer you can expect it to last before fogging renders it unusesable.

Answer 2

It depends on the film type(black and white, color print, color slide), as well as the speed and, most importantly, the storage conditions.

Most any film stored at room temperature can probably be expected to yield decent results 6 months to a year after expiration. Slow speed black and white film stored in a freezer can easily give passable results 20 years past its expiration.

Answer 3

My ex and I owned a Kodak camera store for years. He always felt one year beyond the expiration date was just fine. However, film can last much longer if kept in a cool, dry, sunless place like a cellar or basement...covered in a box etc. Try it.

Answer 4

There is usually an expiration date on the box

Answer 5

I think film usually stays good for about a year. good luck and happy shooting .