Filmwasters

Which Board? => Main Forum => : mcduff October 04, 2014, 08:51:16 PM

: Expired Polaroid 990 film, likelyhood of usability?
: mcduff October 04, 2014, 08:51:16 PM
I have been offered a big pile of expired Polaroid 990 film expired in '09!! How big of a pile? About 200 shots.

The issue is I do not have a Spectra camera so I would need to grab one from somewhere. I know they are not expensive but I before doing so I want to get some help from those with some experience shooting old Polaroid stock: Is there a good chance that it is still usable?

I know there are no guarantees but I would not mind some guesses before I bring yet another camera into the house?

If it is worth it, are there any issues I should look out for in the spectra cameras?

Thanks...
don
: Re: Expired Polaroid 990 film, likelyhood of usability?
: Francois October 04, 2014, 09:03:47 PM
Well, if they were properly stored, it shouldn't be much of a problem. That's only 5 years out of date.

One thing you could do is open a pack in a dark bag, remove the protection card and the first sheet and then re-insert the protection card. That way you could have a feel for the pod's dryness level without wasting a full pack. You can also use a rolling pin to check how the chemistry spreads around the envelope.

If it's still good, you should expect some brown tone images with a bit of color.
: Re: Expired Polaroid 990 film, likelyhood of usability?
: Bryan October 04, 2014, 10:19:51 PM
You can have my Spectra for the price of shipping, which is likely more than it's worth, but at least you will know it works. 

(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3676/9694871372_e8c12170f0.jpg) (https://www.flickr.com/photos/60348236@N07/9694871372/)
Polaroid Spectra System (https://www.flickr.com/photos/60348236@N07/9694871372/) by bac1967 (https://www.flickr.com/people/60348236@N07/), on Flickr

This is a photo I took last year on TIP film with the flash.

(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5324/9691697605_e6f110c483.jpg) (https://www.flickr.com/photos/60348236@N07/9691697605/)
Vera kissing Riley (https://www.flickr.com/photos/60348236@N07/9691697605/) by bac1967 (https://www.flickr.com/people/60348236@N07/), on Flickr
: Re: Expired Polaroid 990 film, likelyhood of usability?
: mcduff October 04, 2014, 10:49:04 PM
Thanks Byran! I might take you up on the offer! The first thing I gotta do is to ensure this guy comes through with donating me his film  ;) I will keep you posted

Thanks again for the offer
: Re: Expired Polaroid 990 film, likelyhood of usability?
: Chalky October 04, 2014, 10:54:43 PM
990 is one of the few polaroid films I have not shot with, but 2009 was the last batch of polaroid film made, so it'll work, if its anything like 1200/spectra film it may have a slight yellow cast... good luck if you go with it...
: Re: Expired Polaroid 990 film, likelyhood of usability?
: zapsnaps October 05, 2014, 07:47:52 AM
Buy the film! I'm using far older stock, with mixed results to be honest, but if it's at a good price, I'd certainly take the risk.
: Re: Expired Polaroid 990 film, likelyhood of usability?
: tkmedia October 05, 2014, 08:24:17 AM
reminds me I still have some image film in the fridge from the last prod year unopened....