Freezing film - any fridge will do?

[hkrz]

It is maybe a stupid question, but I have some concerns about freezing about 30 rolls of film in my fridge.

The concerns stem from the fact, that this fridge, frost free type, dry freezes everything that isn't packed in air tight packaging.

Put a piece of beef in it and in three weeks you have beef jerky😱.

So my question is, may film be affected like food is, or I'm delusional.

Thank you for any help.

 

[maddoc]

Interesting question ! From my limited knowledge about films being quite susceptible to changes in humidity (for example curling), I would pack the films air-tight before freezing.

 

[not_in_good_order]

I haven't noticed any problem with the film that I've kept frozen long term. I keep the film in its original packaging and put all the rolls together in a large freezer bag.

 

[hkrz]

When you use the term "original packaging" you mean plastic canister with lid or plastic foil, like in films bought in bulk quantaties?

In case of the latter I would agree, that it's safe, but the canister thingy doesn't convience me. Hence my question.

 

[antiquark]

Airtight packaging is necessary for when you remove the film from the freezer, regardless of the freezer type.

Water will condense on it as it warms up, and you'd like to prevent water from actually touching the film.

 

[hkrz]

Thank you all for the help!
I see that either way there's no getting away from air tight packaging. I will buy some zip lock bags and put my film in its original packagin, including boxes.

 

[StuartR]

Don't worry too much though. It is reasonably robust stuff. I have kept boxes of 4x5 stored in the freezer with no special packaging, and I have never had a problem. There is certainly no harm in putting it in a ziplock back, but I don't think it is absolutely necessary.

 

[Spavinaw]

I just shot three rolls of Fujichrome Sensia II 100, mostly scenic. Film was dated April 2000. I froze it back in December 1998. The slides looked normal to me. No noticeable color shift. I just put the boxes as is in the freezer door and use them when I need them. I reckon my freezer is frost free, we never defrost it. At this stage I don't think I'm going to bother with Zip Lock baggies. Besides, the boxes stack so much better without the bags! YMMV

 

[Rob-F]

I think you may have the ideal freezer. I read, some years ago, in the American Cinematographer that the best archival storage of movie prints calls for both low temperature and low humidity; the lower the better. Although the article was about the storage of processed film, perhaps the same applies to unprocessed. I think you may find some info on Kodak websites about this.

 

[Dwig]

As others have said, the original factory packaging, either a plastic can with lid or sealed foil bag, will protect the film from both freezer burn while in the freezer and moisture condensation when removed. The later is provided it remains sealed until it reaches room temp whick takes 6-24 hours.

Putting the film package in a Zip-lock type back is unnecessary from the standpoint of the film, but does provide valuable protection for the box which provide identification and expiration dating. It is, of course, valuable to date the Zip-lock so that you know when you froze the film. You won't remember a year from now whether the film was very fresh, nearing expiration, or already out of date at the time you froze it.