How long can I leave exposed film in my camera?

In most cases, you can leave exposed film in your camera for a few weeks or even months without any issues.

It is common for photographers to take a few shots on a roll of film, then put their camera down for several weeks before eventually finishing the roll some time later. As long as the camera is kept at room temperature there shouldn’t be any adverse effects on the film.

A notable exception to this is Ilford Pan F, which is notoriously unstable when it comes to image retention. For this film stock the advice is to remove it from your camera soon after shooting and get it developed within a few days.

Eventually, of course, deterioration will take effect on any film. So it’s best not to leave film in your camera for more than six months.

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