2 questions 1) Is Leica *really* that good and 2) does unused film have a shelf life?

1) Is Leica really as good as they make themselves out to be? Like the best of the best or very close to it?

2) Does unused film have a shelf life? Or can I buy film now and use it five years from now?

Thanks in advance

FlipsidE wrote in post #5997102
2) Does unused film have a shelf life? Or can I buy film now and use it five years from now?

Film has a shelf life that is very much based on the storage conditions. 5 years should not be a problem with correct storage.

1) M lenses: Yes
2) correct storage being the fridge...

René Damkot wrote in post #5998196
2) correct storage being the fridge...

Just make sure it doesn't get too cold and freeze. Ice crystals do nothing positive for grain.

Friend of mine just bought a Leica V-Lux1 camera. Her pictures are garbage. She shot auto, pics of kids from an adult POV (high), no happy faces, the faces she did have looked bland or sad in many cases, any motion was blurred because she was shooting 1/30 at ISO 200 F2.8, she thought the image stabilization would stop action,...

Good technology in untrained hands is worst than crappy technology in trained hands.

So to your question: To which Leica equipment are you referring? Good compared to what?

Like cameras, film, isn't just "film"?
Amateur/consumer films are designed to stay in the camera for about a year, vacations at the start/end, with Christmas in the middle of the roll. The color changes magenta to green as it ages. (Or the other way around -can't remember)
Pro films are color balanced for right now out of the fridge & should be processed right now after shooting, within a day or so to maintain speed & CB.

"Back when", we used to buy all our film, including 8X10", in case lots so we had the same emulsion #, which meant same CB & speed. We froze it. What's different today that you shouldn't?

Good question. My thought is that it's probably better than most people here who ask that question are.

Ice crystals may form on frozen film if it's been opened. If left in the sealed foil bag each roll comes in, no ice crystals will form. If frozen, film can be kept like new for decades.

krb wrote in post #5999142
Just make sure it doesn't get too cold and freeze. Ice crystals do nothing positive for grain.

Actually color film can be frozen for long term storage. Kodak had a publication with a chart that showed the rate of degradation based on time and temperature. The lower the temperature the less loss (to a point). The key is to allow the film to thaw properly before use.

bwolford wrote in post #5999297
any motion was blurred because she was shooting 1/30 at ISO 200 F2.8, she thought the image stabilization would stop action,...

Image stabilzation stops camera shake and not action.

Tixeon, we think too much alike, scarey.

breal101 wrote in post #5999549
The key is to allow the film to thaw properly before use.

That must have been the problem.

breal101 wrote in post #5999549
The key is to allow the film to thaw properly before use.

Thanks breal101. I forgot to include that part.

breal101 wrote in post #5999577
Tixeon, we think too much alike, scarey.

Sometimes it's a little spookey. More than once I've been ready to reply to a post & someone beat me to it by mere seconds - with a virtually word for word matching reply. That's just fine because it's great to share experience.

One hour is long enough. Or put it in your pocket for 20 minutes.

PhotosGuy wrote in post #6010863
Or put it in your pocket for 20 minutes.

Talk about spooky, That's exactly what I used to do with my Portra 120/220 roll film when taking it from the fridge & I was in a hurry. Great minds do think alike - breal101 & PhotosGuy.

breal101 wrote in post #5999549
The key is to allow the film to thaw properly before use.

So you are saying don't put it in the microwave on defrost for a minute thirty seconds?