storing film

[plgplg]

I've been storing my film in the household fridge (in ziploc bags). Typically when I take film out of the fridge I leave it in the ziploc bags for several hours so that it can warm up to room temp without condensation.

1. is this (storing it in the fridge) advisable?

2. what is the expected lifespan in the fridge before it starts to degrade? Are we talking months, years, or decades?

thanks!

 

[Steve Bellayr]

I store film in ziploc bags in the refrigerator and freezer. From the freezer it takes 30 minutes to thaw. Film can be refrozen. Currently, I am using 6 year old B&W film with excellent results. I have other film, color as well, that is expired that I am using with excellent results. As an aside comment about Ziploc: I find it adviseable to carry extra bags when on long trips to differentiating the expired from non-expired film and just plan good to carry extra for any reason. Grease pencils work to write on the bags.

 

[TXForester]

http://www.kodak.com/global/en/consumer/products/techInfo/e30/e30.pdf

I'm not sure about length of storage, but this info should help for unprocessed and processed storage.

 

[semilog]

^--------- Thanks, TX.

Even by Kodak's standards, that's a terrific white paper. Extremely useful.

 

[Sarcophilus Harrisii]

More information about storing Fuji films may be found from the following pages, which contain links to the various films and their data sheets. Fuji endorse storage in fridge, or freezer, depending on the length of storage time and type of film involved.

Professional range
Consumer Range

Regards,
Brett

 

[Freakscene]

1. is this (storing it in the fridge) advisable?

In general, yes, it is advisable, particularly if you are going to store the film for 6 months or more, or if it is hot.

2. what is the expected lifespan in the fridge before it starts to degrade? Are we talking months, years, or decades?

As the Kodak paper linked above states "it depends". Faster films, films with more development accelerants, and colour films last less well. Slow and medium speed B&W films store well. it also depends on your measure of "lifespan". I have 100 speed B&W films that still shoot fine for my purposes, but which Kodak would class as rubbish.

Marty