Another Bulk Loading Question - Film Storage

[lns]

I've also decided to start bulk loading film, and just got a loader and a 100-foot roll of Tri-X. My question is storage. I would rather not load the first roll all at once. I plan to store the film in our refrigerator, but space is at a premium, and curious and spill-prone kids are at a maximum. Putting the whole bulk loader with film into the refrigerator would be an invitation to disaster.

Can I load a few cassettes and then (in complete darkness) put the remainder of the roll of film back into its original can and then refrigerate the can?

Also, I haven't opened the sealed can yet -- is there a (re-usable) bag inside or is the film just loose in there?

Thank you for your help! -Laura

 

[colyn]

I would recommend against removing the film from the loader because of a chance of exposure.

Place the loader in a large zip-loc bag and place in the bottom corner of the refrigerator out of site.

When removing for loading of the cassettes allow it to warm to room temp before opening the bag.

 

[lns]

Well, not the answer I was hoping for, but I appreciate the advice. I guess a lot can go wrong when you're dealing with 100 feet of film. -Laura

 

[colyn]

Well, not the answer I was hoping for, but I appreciate the advice. I guess a lot can go wrong when you're dealing with 100 feet of film. -Laura

If I recall correctly 100 ft.= 18 - 36 exp rolls

 

[Tom A]

It all depends how quickly you expect to shoot 18 rolls. If it is over a period of a couple of month, you can leave the loader at ambient temperature. If it is over 12-15 month you might want to cold store it though. You always run the risk of condensation if you dont put it in the Zip-Loc bag and let it warm up properly before opening it. Depending on the type of day-light loader, you can also run into problem with the plastic turning brittle in the freezer! Somebody might place that heavy ice-cream container on top of it and crush it!
Unless it is high speed color film you probably will not run into trouble with room temp storage. Film, particularly modern emulsions, are remarkably resilient.
The other solution is to shoot more and use up the 100 ft in a month or so. Much more fun than trying to store it!

 

[Fotch]

Its been years since I bulk loaded. I have purchased several used bulk loaders so I can start again. Realy only needed one but ended up with several.

What I use to do, since I only had one loader, is load all the film at once or over a very short period. Loaded most of it as 36x but also loaded some short rolls to have around. I always used up the 36x, it was the short rolls that might get old.

Real easy, not very hard.

Good Luck.

 

[mr_phillip]

This is the reason that I prefer 17meter bulk rolls over the 30meter ones. Ilford supply most of their films in both lengths.

 

[KenD]

<<Also, I haven't opened the sealed can yet -- is there a (re-usable) bag inside or is the film just loose in there?>>

There is a black plastic bag inside the can, folds to close.

I find it easiest to load the whole 100 ft. over one or two evenings and pop the rolls into the fridge or freezer.

Ken

 

[troym]

I leave the film in the loader and put the loader in a corner of the fridge.

I'll second the recommendation to use ziploc bags. I double bag the bulk loader before placing it in the fridge. I also put in a container of dessicant to help prevent condensation, but that's probably overkill.

 

[lns]

Excellent, thanks for all the advice. I think I'm going to try room temperature storage inside the bulk loader, or just do the whole thing at once. I can definitely use 18 rolls of film pretty quickly. But our fridge and freezer are just inconveniently full of food.

I like the dessicant idea: I keep color film in the the refrigerator, inside ziploc, but those bags can get holes pretty easily.

Well, I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm actually looking forward to bulk-loading film this weekend. Time to get a more interesting life.

-Laura

 

[Tom A]

Yes. I know what you mean by an interesting life! I am faced with bulk-loading 75+ rolls this week end. A 400 ft can of XX and a lot of Leica IXMOO casettes! Just finished off a 400 ft can of Agfapan 250 (my last of that - and the last of it available from AGFA too). This was used for a Nikon Rangefinder project in June/July. i am trying out about 25 cassettes for these cameras. They are far more "complex" than the Leica ones. Some work on some cameras and others jam up for no reason. There is nothing like spending hours in total darkness with sharp scissors and coils of film floating around. No day-light loaders available for the 400 ft rolls anymore. Leica used to make one in the days when "ready to shoot" packaging was unheard of. Once I have it loaded though, there is 4-5 weeks of shooting without a care!

 

[Xmas]

Laura

With B&W if the ambient is below 20 it is probably simplest putting it in a underwear drawer.
If the loader is modern plastic it may attract dust (static build up) and a ziplock is useful.

Noel
P.S. My salad compartment is full of (cheap) out of date bulk...

 

[MRohlfing]

I once (in the late 1980ies) got as a gift 2 bulk rolls of very old Gevapan film, made by Gevaert (I believe Agfa took over Gevaert in the 1960ies), so the film was at least 20 years old.

These rolls certainly never had been in a fridge, but the pictures turned out fine!

So, I think, you need not worry to put b&w into the fridge unless you live in a very hot climate.

With color films it might be a different matter.

Michael

 

[MRohlfing]

With B&W if the ambient is below 20 it is probably simplest putting it in a underwear drawer.

How do you recognize a passionate photographer?

By plenty of film hanging out of his underwear, of course! 😀

 

[MartinP]

I am curious about the magical properties of male-underwear vis-a-vis preservation of film stock - and a little concerned that female-underwear may not have the same effects ???? 😉

 

[EmilGil]

I am curious about the magical properties of male-underwear vis-a-vis preservation of film stock - and a little concerned that female-underwear may not have the same effects ???? 😉

Are you worried that your own underwear might not work or what? 😀

 

[40oz]

Excellent, thanks for all the advice. I think I'm going to try room temperature storage inside the bulk loader, or just do the whole thing at once. I can definitely use 18 rolls of film pretty quickly. But our fridge and freezer are just inconveniently full of food.

I like the dessicant idea: I keep color film in the the refrigerator, inside ziploc, but those bags can get holes pretty easily.

Well, I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm actually looking forward to bulk-loading film this weekend. Time to get a more interesting life.

-Laura

I just keep my bulk loader in a cabinet in my living room, and typically use 100' in about 6 months of sporadic use. I've not seen any evidence of fogging or other damage. It's a lot easier to just roll up 3 or 4 rolls as needed than deal with condensation with sudden temp changes and waiting for it to warm up, or pre-roll large numers of cassettes and find I don't see 36 things worth taking a picture of in a weekend.

 

[ARCHIVIST]

No Need To Use The Fridge!

No Need To Use The Fridge!

I bulk load for my local fine arts college.
The bulk load can stay in the loader for up to four months during a quiet period.
I store the loader with film in it in a dark, dry drawer - no problems what-so-ever.
Have been doing this for the college this way, and for myself as well, for over 30 years.

Regards
Peter

 

[lns]

Hmm. Underwear drawer is an interesting idea -- and then there are the research opportunities involved with male versus female underwear -- but I'm leaning toward the back of a kitchen cabinet. I already have cameras and developing equipment in kitchen cabinets, color film in the fridge, and chemicals in the basement. There is a limit on how much of our house I can take over. (My husband basically has a shoebox for his stuff and loves to point that out.)

Noel, I have an older bakelite loader. But I will bag it anyway, if only to keep it from escaping and migrating to the underwear drawer on its own.

And Tom, if I struggle with my new loader, I will think of you and your 400 feet of film and refuse to complain or pity myself. At least, not more than once or twice.

Thanks to everyone for the fine advice and reassurance.

-Laura

 

[Xmas]

Laura

Ok you are a plastics engineer as well as photog, - the old ones are the best.

The reason for the drawer with padding is you can damage the loaders if you drop them especially the bakelite ones. In a fridge they are more exposed to e.g. midnight feasters... and 2lb bottles of pickles... etc.

Noel