how to store film ?

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gliderbee

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I bought a bulk of color films (C-41 and E6), and if I have to use it all before the expiry date, I'll need some motordrives for my cameras ...

I tried once to store them in the fridge (not the freezer), in their original carton boxes in a plastic bag, but when I took them out, it was quite humid in the plastic bag as if the air in the bag condensed on the carton boxes.

How can that be avoided ? Should I just get rid of the carton boxes or is there a way I can keep them dry in the fridge (or should I put them in the freezer) ?

Thanks,
Stefan.
 
I buy film 200 feet at a time and store it in the top shelf of a closet. Myself, I would not bother with keeping it cold unless I was planning to keep it way past the expiration date.
 
I store all my films in the deep freezer keeping them in their original cardboard boxes around the plastic cannister.
When I un-freeze them, I throw away the cardboard box but wait for the film to warm up before opening the plastic cannister.
I am curently using films stored this way for more than 10 years without any developing problem at all.
 
Professionally films are stored in dry fridges (a specialized fridge, I just have heard never seen one) but to my opinion as long as they are in plastic containers and you take them out only after they reach to room temperature, it must be ok. I once forgot a roll in its plastic container in my pocket and it was washed in washing machine...Nothing happened to the film. I think the containers are quite sealed!
 
Keep them in the fridge. When going to use them, just take 'm out a day before or so. And film waiting to be developed the same. Never never had any problems. ;)
 
goodtimes said:
I store all my films in the deep freezer keeping them in their original cardboard boxes around the plastic cannister.
When I un-freeze them, I throw away the cardboard box but wait for the film to warm up before opening the plastic cannister.
I am curently using films stored this way for more than 10 years without any developing problem at all.
Click to expand...

And nothing to protect the cardboard boxes ? Just like that in the deep freezer ? Ok, then I'll have to make some room in that thing and convince "she that must be obeyed" that this intrusion in her kitchen is for a honorable purpose ..:p

Stefan.
 
I place the cartons, about five or six at a time, in a Ziplock plastic freezer bag, squeeze as much air out as I can and seal the bag. Then I put the bags in a plastic tub with lid and into the fridge - not freezer. When I want to use the film I just take one bag out and let it stand to attain room temperature (usually overnight) or even just extract a couple of rolls and leave them stand. I've never had a problem with humidity inside the bags but if the ambient is humid and you take a cold bag or film out of the fridge you'll get condensation on the cold surfaces.
But I do recommend using the bags and sealing them. If you're going to put your film in the freezer and don't seal them in this way, consider the likely outcome of a power outage or motor failure if you're away from home for any period. Not only will the food spoil but there will be an awful lot of condensation looking for somewhere to go!
 
why should they be in the plastic containers? I threw mine away after taking my film through airport security, they are now in my fridge without plastic containers.
 
plastic containers of films are already very well sealed! I washed a roll with my laundry as I said...nothing happens if food spills or not...
 
I'd say keep them in the plastic canisters. That way, condensation won't get through the felt lips and onto the film. And I just spilled a glass of wie in my fridge tonight! :eek:

I know it's a terrible waste, but I'm glad I didn't also lose any film in the calamity!
 
goodtimes said:
I store all my films in the deep freezer keeping them in their original cardboard boxes around the plastic cannister.
When I un-freeze them, I throw away the cardboard box but wait for the film to warm up before opening the plastic cannister.
I am curently using films stored this way for more than 10 years without any developing problem at all.
Click to expand...


Yep, me too. don't open until .. room Temp.
 
Leigh Youdale said:
I place the cartons, about five or six at a time, in a Ziplock plastic freezer bag, squeeze as much air out as I can and seal the bag. Then I put the bags in a plastic tub with lid and into the fridge - not freezer. When I want to use the film I just take one bag out and let it stand to attain room temperature (usually overnight) or even just extract a couple of rolls and leave them stand. I've never had a problem with humidity inside the bags but if the ambient is humid and you take a cold bag or film out of the fridge you'll get condensation on the cold surfaces.
But I do recommend using the bags and sealing them. If you're going to put your film in the freezer and don't seal them in this way, consider the likely outcome of a power outage or motor failure if you're away from home for any period. Not only will the food spoil but there will be an awful lot of condensation looking for somewhere to go!
Click to expand...

This is exactly what I do. I had some problems with condensation when I lived in the wet tropics and didn't use a ziplock bag, but since then it's worked fine. Where I live now is very dry, but I stick with the bags. I also have a freezer for long-term storage.

Marty
 
Freezer, with 5 rolls of 120/220 still in individual boxes in separate ziplock bags with labels showing purchase date. Then those are grouped by film type into a much larger ziplock bag and then stored in durable plastic storage boxes. I know, overkill...but I am a "survalist" who likes to prepare for contingencies.

My plan is to buy a small deep freezer for my storage room and I will start bulk buying both 120 & 35mm films that I feel that might become "discontinued" in the next year or so and become a film "dealer" in the future.
 
As a suggestion, here are the rules I live by myself, when dealing with this subject. They are built on a mix of facts, either scientifically based or based on the knowledge of people who have dealt with this in decades:

# It is safe to assume that film stored at -18 degrees Celsius or lower will not deteriorate at all, thereby making it possible to store the film for many years beyond its expiry date.
# Film can be placed directly into the freezer.
# When thawing, bring the film from the freezer and place it immediately in the fridge. Let cassettes sit in the fridge for a couple of hours. Let rolls in a can sit in the fridge over night.
# When taking film out of the fridge, let cassettes sit for an hour before opening the canister. Let rolls in a can sit for two hours before handling the film.

Kodak has published thawing times for different types of film somewhere, which I used for the above self-applied rules. As I say, they are just suggestions.
 
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