Film photography has experienced a renaissance in recent years, and with it comes curiosity about using expired film. We’ve been developing expired film almost daily at our photo lab and while we expected the expired film rolls to slowly decrease, we’re discovering that more and more rolls keep coming in! People are shooting a lot of expired film and we’ve observed a lot in the process of developing it for our customers.

Whether you stumbled upon a vintage roll in a family drawer or are tempted by discounted expired film online, you may wonder: can you use expired film? Let’s dive into everything you need to know, including how to shoot expired film and what to expect.

What Is Expired Film?

Film comes with an expiration date, typically found on the box. Sometimes it’s printed on the canister but that is pretty rare. Most film is given two years from its manufacture date before it expires, but some film types have a three year expiration. Manufacturers set these dates to guarantee optimal image quality. Once past its expiration date, film may still work but with potential changes to:

Color and Contrast: Colors may shift or fade, and contrast could be reduced.
Grain: Increased graininess is common in expired film.
Sensitivity: Older film will lose sensitivity to light, requiring adjustments to exposure.

Can You Use Expired Film?

Yes, but with caveats. Expired film can produce some unpredictable results. The images will definitely be unique and some people view the results to have some artistic value, but its usability depends on factors like storage and age. There is a significant love of the faded and grainy look that expired film can give. But in our experience, having developed thousands of rolls of expired film, just flat out bad results far out number the good ones. Here are some things to think about before buying and using expired film:

Storage Conditions: Film stored in cool, dry environments (like a refrigerator or freezer) fares better over time compared to film exposed to heat and humidity. Film exposed to heat, temperatures over 85 degrees fahrenheit, becomes significantly more grainy and the colors shift to some pretty bizarre tones. There can also be some “burning” along the top and bottom edges of the film because of the radiating heat from the metal canister.
Age of the Film: Film expired within the last few years is more reliable than film decades past its expiration date. The older the film gets, the hard it is to produce a decent image.
Type of Film: Black-and-white film tends to age more gracefully than color film or slide film.

How to Shoot Expired Film

Shooting expired film requires some preparation and experimentation. Follow these tips to get the best results:

1. Adjust Your Exposure Settings

Overexpose the Film: A general rule is to overexpose expired film by one stop for every decade past its expiration date.
Example: If the film’s box speed is ISO 400 and it expired 10 years ago, shoot it at ISO 200.

2. Test a Single Roll First

Start with one roll to understand how it performs before committing to a large batch.
You can make adjustments to how your exposing after seeing how the test roll turns out to get better results

3. Consider the Film Type

Black-and-White Film: Often more forgiving and can produce interesting textures.
Color Negative Film: May show color shifts but can still yield usable images.
Slide Film (E-6): Most prone to color degradation and may require more significant adjustments. We don’t recommend using expired E-6 film once its past 5 to 10 years old.

4. Store Expired Film Properly

Keep your expired film in a refrigerator or freezer to slow down further degradation.
Allow refrigerated film to reach room temperature before use to avoid condensation.

5. Embrace the Imperfections

Understand that expired film may produce unpredictable results, such as:
- Faded colors
- Unique color casts (e.g., greens, purples, or blues)
- Light leaks or fogging

Pros and Cons of Shooting Expired Film

Pros:

Creative Effects: Expired film often produces unpredictable and artistic results.
Cost Savings: Expired film is typically cheaper than fresh film. You can pick expired film up from eBay, Facebook Marketplace, local thrift stores, and estate sales for a fraction of the cost of new film.
Nostalgic Feel: The imperfections can add a vintage aesthetic to your photos.

Cons:

Unpredictable Results: You may not get the outcome you expect.
Reduced Image Quality: Color shifts, grain, and fogging are common.
Developing Challenges: Some expired films require special handling during development.

Where to Buy Expired Film

If you’re intrigued by expired film, you can find it through:

Online Marketplaces: eBay, Etsy, and specialty film stores often stock expired film.
Local Thrift Shops: Occasionally, you may find vintage film in thrift stores or estate sales.
Film Photography Communities: Join online forums or social media groups where photographers trade or sell expired film.

Developing Expired Film

Developing expired film can be one of the biggest challenges. Most labs process expired film just like every other roll that comes in our experience, old film needs some special care during the developing process. Our lab, Shutter Junkies Photo Lab processes a lot of expired film and we’ve developed a special process for getting the absolutely best results possible. We identify old film rolls when they arrive and put them in a separate work flow designed to pull as much of an image as possible from your expired roll. When you get ready to develop your expired film rolls, just click the link below to get started with the expired film developing experts!

Get Your Expired Film Developed

Final Thoughts on Expired Film

Using expired film is a rewarding experience for those who enjoy experimenting with film photography. While it’s not always predictable, the results can be uniquely beautiful and nostalgic. By understanding how to shoot expired film and making the right adjustments, you can unlock a world of creative possibilities.

So, can you use expired film? Absolutely! Grab a roll, set your camera, and embrace the beauty of imperfection.

Can You Use Expired Film? A Guide to Shooting Expired Film