film storage

[ramestica]

Hi, I'm sure this is not a new topic, but here goes again.

I have read that people stores their B&W film, either in bulk or single rolls or the bulk loader charged with film, in the fridge. THis sounds okay for me as for keeping the film fresh and sound. But which precautions should I take when removing the film from the fridge? I fear that condensation within the single rolls or bulk loader could afect the film.

thanks in advance for any tip,
Rodrigo

 

[T_om]

If you are going to shoot B&W film in any reasonable length of time, I see no particular reason to refrigerate it.

I would REALLY not put a bulk loader in the refrigerator. You are just inviting condensation problems that way. Even film in unopened rolls sometimes have condensations problems, I can imagine what could happen taking a bulk loader out of the cold and into a warm room.

The difference is in the relatively huge amount of moist air that can be trapped in a bulk loader compared to the tiny bit of air in a sealed film roll. A few cold/warm cycles in a bulk loader would probably produce enough condensation liquid to support fungus or algae growth.

B&W films are not as susceptible to storage damage (within reason, of course) as some color emulsions.

At our studio years ago, we always kept the color emulsions in the reefer but that is because pro color films do not have the extended life formulation that consumer films have. Consumer color films might end up hanging on a store hook for a year or more before being sold and they are formulated to withstand that. Pro color films are not. They will suffer unacceptable color shifts if held for long periods and not kept refrigerated.

Bottom line? I would not bother to refrigerate B&W unless it is in sealed spools and you do not plan on using it for a LONG time.

Tom

 

[back alley]

and me, that's exactly what i do.
it needs to be stored somewhere. i put my film in tupperware containers and then the tupperware goes in the fridge. i pull out what i think i will need for the day.
bulk goes into the freezer.

so far so good.
joe

 

[kbg32]

I have never had a problem storing the bulk loader in the fridge. I always kept it in a plastic bag and when I took it out, I let it sit for 10 minutes or so before using it.

 

[GeneW]

I store col film in the fridge (non bulk) but my bulk B&W film is stored in an ordinary closet. B&W film has a long shelf life. If you use it up within three years, you shouldn't need cold storage.

Gene