Very old film - FP4

[john.margetts]

Last Sunday I was given a bulk roll of Ilford FP4 film. The roll had a date of October 1974 on it - the film is over 42 years old! It has been s stored in a shed for a good part of that time.

So. A test film was required. I shot twelve frames at various EI levels. 3 ASA was too slow and the negatives were far too dark. 20 ASA and 50 ASA were much better - 50 ASA being quite good. Fog level was very high and the clear parts of the film were a mid grey. These three were shot at 50 ASA. A bit grainy and low contrast. These scans have had no processing - adjustments switched off in the scanner software.

 

[CarlH]

I like the look "old" film gives you, these look like they should have old Austin 7's driving around not modern cars.

 

[limr]

I was going to say something similar - that the modern cars contrast with the old-fashioned feel of the grain and the tones. Now that you know what the film will do, it could make for some really interesting shooting

 

[tirediron]

I should be so good when I'm 42 years past my sell-buy date... Oh... wait.... never mind.

 

[webestang64]

Love the top shot!

 

[terri]

That's some impressive longevity, there. Wow. Now that you have a test run, some additional development times can be played with. I'm not bothered at by a little look of age here, and more time in the soup could possibly give you even better results.

I agree, the top image is very nice.

 

[john.margetts]

I don't know exactly how much film I have as it was already loaded into the bulk loader but I shall play some more. This was also my first attempt at stand development so I am learning everything here. My main photographic interest is old churches so I think this is where I shall use the rest. Certainly nothing to lose except my time which is cheap enough now.

 

[cgw]

Have fun but buying fresh film today ups the odds it'll be there tomorrow.

 

[john.margetts]

Absolutely, cgw, most of my photography is done on brand new film but occasionally it is good to use digital and other media including playing with very old film.