How long can undeveloped 35mm film last?

[Oyeve]

I was HEAVY into photography around 20+ years ago and spent a fortune on slr cameras (non digital). I have 1000s of rolls already developed but have been digital for a long time and have given up on film years ago. Anyway, I have around 50 undelveloped rolls of 35mm film that has been in storage for nealry 20 years. Each roll is still in its can and all rolls are in boxes which have not seen the light of day ever. Do you think these rolls are still good for developing? Dont want to spend a fortune just to get bad prints. How long can an exposed but nondeveloped roll last?

 

[OdiN]

Well try developing one roll and see what you get.

I doubt the quality will be anywhere near when they were newer.

 

[corkyg]

A lot would depend on the storage environment. In older screw top cans - life was prtty long. In a camera - much less. You remind me - I have a half exposed roll in a Pentax that has been there for almost 10 years. If you live in a high humidity area like Florida, Panama, or Vietnam, you can get mold on the film. Temperature also has an effect.

So - the best you can do is as Odin suggests - try a roll and see. Just develop and look at the negs before spending anything on prints.

 

[arrfep]

Is it exposed already?
If it's consumer grade film like Fuji Superia or Kodak Gold 400 or 800, you are probably better off. That stuff is designed with the assumption that it will sit in a camera or on someone's shelf for long periods of time. Consumer films won't color shift as quickly or as noticeably as professional films.

Assuming it's just c-41, why not take a roll or two to Walmart and have them developed. Worst you can do is waste $8 finding out your film is toast. But you might uncover some great images.

D'oh. just noticed you said it's exposed. I say go for it.

 

[T9D]

So I know it's been a long time but did you ever get those developed? How did they turn out? Anything interesting on them?

Years ago I took about 4 old rolls or so in to a one hour print shop and they didn't get one picture. They were from when I was in 6th grade or so. Remember one of them was a train trip with my brother. Maybe 6-10 years old I guess at the time. I've always been kind of angry that they never even got one single photo from that. Not even a bad one. I think they didn't have the right process to develop them and screwed them up. They were those old cartridge types. From reading around it seems they should have at least gotten something from them even if they were bad. I should have taken them to a professional developer. It's possible they were not very good and they just threw them away and said they didn't get anything assuming they must have screwed them up and didn't want to take responsibility. Still makes me angry to this day.

The reason I came here was because I was looking this up curious about how long it lasts. And on the first page Google has this anandtech topic. (so don't be lame mods for me bumping this, it probably brings a lot of traffic here and people who still want to know).