Cold-storage of IXMOO cassettes – yay or nay?

[mr_phillip]

Since getting my M2 I've really fallen for Leica's IXMOO cassettes and have started to hoover them up from eBay (I've just ordered a replacement base-plate for my M6 from DAG so I can use them with that too). But what I'd really like to do is load up a mess of them in one session and cold-store them in the fridge 'til needed.

Can anyone think of any good reason for not keeping the little brass cassettes in the fridge? I intend to keep them in the little plastic tubs, in a zip-loc bag, inside a plastic Tuppware-style container.

Thanks.

And BTW, if anyone has any IXMOOs they don't need... 🙂

 

[hans voralberg]

With that much insulation I dont see a problem, you might as well vacuum pack them. Just let it get warm gradually and condensation wont occur.

 

[Tom A]

Once you have loaded the IXMOO's I would not bother to cold store them. Unless you intend to keep film for years, it should not be a problem.
The cassettes are brass and unless you let them warm up gradually in sealed bags, there is a fair chance that you will get condensation on them (and in them). This can cause the brass to "corrode" and stiffen the opening/closing of them.
Loading them is a bit of a bother, but once you got a batch done - just shoot away.
I tend to do 400 ft at a time (72-75 IXMOO's) and that usually lasts for 4-6 weeks.
Modern film is amazingly resilient, particularly black/white.
You will also notice is that they do weigh a lot (about 3 times a regular cassette} and a handful in the pocket is noticable. Also, if you fly with IXMOO's be prepared for a long discussion with the security at the airport! "Sir,these do look like 50 cal. cartridges, so please open them!".

I also recommend that you clean them out every 3-4 times you use them. Wipe them clean with a lintless cloth and occasionally i do "wipe" the outside shells inside surface and the inside shell's outside surface with a lubricant (i use vaseline or teflon grease) and wipe it clean before reassembling. Rotate the shells a couple of times to disperse the lubricant evenly.

 

[hans voralberg]

wow 72 ixmoo, that's quite a collection, it took me weeks to get 5. and only last 4-6 week oO my 400ft last months. Damn i need to shoot more

P.S: i just store my loaded ixmoo on shelf

 

[mr_phillip]

Hmmm, I think that might be sage advice – I was worried about the risk of condensation effecting the brass. I might just stick to storing them on a shelf in a cool cupboard.

 

[Tom A]

Hans, the 72-75 IXMOO's is only a small part of my stash of them. The total is somewhere in the region of 180! Occasionally I load all of them (1000 ft) and happily shoot away for a couple of month.
I just restocked with more Double XX, another 4000ft in the freezer. One can of 400 ft is slowly defrosting in the darkroom and when I have stopped procrastinating I will ascend to the dark hole and load up. I have made a small series of M2 Rapidwinders for the M2 that also will open IXMOO's so this is a "test" series for checking out winders before they are shipped. It is also a great relief to load a M2 with film and shoot, one camera, one lens and one film.

 

[hans voralberg]

Hans, the 72-75 IXMOO's is only a small part of my stash of them. The total is somewhere in the region of 180! Occasionally I load all of them (1000 ft) and happily shoot away for a couple of month.
I just restocked with more Double XX, another 4000ft in the freezer. One can of 400 ft is slowly defrosting in the darkroom and when I have stopped procrastinating I will ascend to the dark hole and load up. I have made a small series of M2 Rapidwinders for the M2 that also will open IXMOO's so this is a "test" series for checking out winders before they are shipped. It is also a great relief to load a M2 with film and shoot, one camera, one lens and one film.

Holy cow, 180 oO