film, freezer or fridge?

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einolu

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Just wondering, having recently aquired a bunch of film in bulk (I got 20 rolls of Fuji PNS for $40). Should i chill it or freeze it? Or should I do what is done with champagne, and only chill it before I shoot 😉?
 
I freeze all my film, and I have used 10 year expired color slide film without noticeable effects of aging. I put each collection of film in two ziploc bags to make sure no moisture reaches the film.
 
Same here. I always freeze my films, but keep a couple of rolls in the fridge just in case I need those on short notice.
 
All depends on how soon you expect to use it. Under 6 months, then the fridge is fine. Over that, into the freezer. And the suggestion of double baggieing it is a good one.

All IMO and all of that.

William
 
I refrigerate it. I know many people freeze it, but I have some reservations about that. I would freeze film if I knew I was not going to use the film for years to come. One thing that degrades the quality of your film is extreme temperature changes, and taking the film out of the freezer into room temperature, I consider that an extreme temperature change, specially at such a short timespan (I only take it out if I'm about to use it).

My twopence.
 
I have used film that has been frozen for years and have had no problems. Usually as my film gets close to the expiry date I transfer it from the fridge to the freezer.

Bob
 
If you intend to use the film in the next few years putting it into the fridge will suffice.
Freezing basically will push the expiration date towards practiacl infinity.

Joerg
 
gabrielma said:
I refrigerate it. I know many people freeze it, but I have some reservations about that. I would freeze film if I knew I was not going to use the film for years to come. One thing that degrades the quality of your film is extreme temperature changes, and taking the film out of the freezer into room temperature, I consider that an extreme temperature change, specially at such a short timespan (I only take it out if I'm about to use it).

My twopence.
Click to expand...

For films that I keep in the freezer, I'd transfer those that I need the next day into the fridge compartment to allow them to "defrost" overnight. I would have the opportunity to do that as I always keep a couple of rolls in the fridge compartment for (almost) immediate use.
 
My film used to share room with salad and carrots, and upon its eviction it went to the freezer. Now, all my stuff (except for, maybe, half a dozen rolls for emergencies) is frozen.

Before using it, I simply take it out and let it thaw. Film is pretty resilient, more than we're willing to give it credit for, so even though initially it may be a shocking change, it doesn't take long to reach room temperature (about 1 hour, sometimes less). I never put cool film inside a camera because I want to avoid the risk of condensation forming in the film chamber. The emulsion? Fine, thanks! 🙂
 
When I buy a bunch of film, all of it stays in its sealed containers, most of it goes in a closely-wrapped zip-lock in the freezer while a modest amount goes in the fridge, and a few rolls go straight to the camera bag ready for use. And in this same order, the film transitions based on anticipated need. Also, the amount in the freezer is "capped" by the space allocated by my wife. 😉
 
I was wondering how you deal with bulk rolls? I've got 5 rolls of Tri X in the freezer, still in their boxes. Should I put them into freezer bags, too?

Richie
 
Those big rolls will take days to gradually come up to temperature! Anyway, my rationale for the zip-lock bags too is to protect those cardboard boxes the film comes in so the expiry dates stay readable. Can't hurt anything to wrap 'em some more, I figure, and might help.
 
A lot of good suggestions here. As has been mentioned frozen film will last many many years (maybe almost indefinitely?) beyond expiration. Also, as has been mentioned, it is not a bad idea to seal the film in zip lock bags. If you do freeze your film, let it "warm up" in the refridgerator perhaps overnight. Whether taken from the freezer and "warmed" in the refridgerator or taken directly from the refridgerator, let it warm up in ambient temperatures for several hours before use.
 
I do a lot of winter photography..

I do a lot of winter photography..

Isn't that the same as freezing?

How about freezing cameras to see if they will work in the cold?

Nikon, yes -- Konica, no! The Konica grease became so hard I ripped the film from the container!
 
I freeze everything, and then if I'm planning on shooting tomorrow, I'll take what I want out of the freezer and put it in the fridge today. A nice, gradual warm up. Then onto the counter a few hours before I use it, always keeping it sealed until warm so that condensation does not form on the outside of the film.

Although, I have found no ill effects from a quick warm-up. I wanted to quickly shoot a roll of 120 that was in the freezer. I took a roll out and put it in my back pocket for half an hour. No problems!
 
For color film, if I won't be using it for a while or if it is near or past expiration, I freeze it. If I intend on using it soon or it is a long way off from expiration, I keep it in the fridge. B&W I keep at room temperature, unless it is near or past expiration.
 
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