g80
Newbie
Im having to leave my camera and unused rolls of film inside my car, and I imagine the temperature can get up to 100-110 F. How does this affect the film?
How does heat affect film?
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vicmortelmans
Well-known
Intuitively, one would assume that it becomes more sensitive, because heat tends to fasten chemical reactions. But then again, there's never been a camera with internal heating for low-light shots...
mbisc
Silver Halide User
All I can say is "don't do it" -- B&W film is fairly resilient, but color film (and especially slide film) is rather sensitive. Slide Film can get discolored, and lose a lot of contrast...
How long do you "have to leave it" there? If it is just a few hours, put it in a cooler with lots of bricks of "blue ice"...
How long do you "have to leave it" there? If it is just a few hours, put it in a cooler with lots of bricks of "blue ice"...
dazedgonebye
Veteran
We're coming in to the time of year, here in Arizona, where I bring my camera in to work with me in the morning instead of leaving it in my car.
I don't know that it makes a difference, but it's pretty darn hot in that car.
I don't know that it makes a difference, but it's pretty darn hot in that car.
mbisc
Silver Halide User
dazedgonebye said:
Man, I used to live in Phoenix, and a car parked in the sun easily reaches 150F, which will cook your film (as well as your camera) in less than an hour...
40oz
...
I've ruined several rolls of color film by leaving it in the car in the summer sun. The images were excessively grainy, fogged, and overall just total crap. Don't leave your film in the car in the sun.
Per Kodak:
"Is film sensitive to heat and humidity?
Answer: Answer last updated:11-16-06
All films are sensitive to heat and humidity. Store film and negatives in a cool, dry place. Use reasonable care to protects film from excessive heat. For example, never store film in the glove compartment of your car or leave it in the hot sun. "
Per Kodak:
"Is film sensitive to heat and humidity?
Answer: Answer last updated:11-16-06
All films are sensitive to heat and humidity. Store film and negatives in a cool, dry place. Use reasonable care to protects film from excessive heat. For example, never store film in the glove compartment of your car or leave it in the hot sun. "
Bryan Lee
Expat Street Photographer
Heat is a year round issue for me. My general rule is to not let stuff fluctuate in temperature getting hot and and then cold. While I don't have any scientific documentation but I have never had problems with film I kept under a 100 F. degrees. I mostly keep my gear at a sweaty 80 to 90 degrees when it is outside of my office.
The oldest trick in the book is to use a ice cooler, no ice needed. The insulation can do a good job of keeping out the heat. Those soft/bag type chests would be great set on the floorboards of a car with a blanket thrown over it. One big film killer is the black camera bag. If you are working with a black bag you might consider making some kind cover for the bag.
knock on wood I have never had a problem with film getting hot but I'm very careful have to think about and worry about heat all the time, not just about film but even trying to keep myself hydrated and cool too.
The oldest trick in the book is to use a ice cooler, no ice needed. The insulation can do a good job of keeping out the heat. Those soft/bag type chests would be great set on the floorboards of a car with a blanket thrown over it. One big film killer is the black camera bag. If you are working with a black bag you might consider making some kind cover for the bag.
knock on wood I have never had a problem with film getting hot but I'm very careful have to think about and worry about heat all the time, not just about film but even trying to keep myself hydrated and cool too.
ARCHIVIST
Well-known
Heat will soften the emulsion on any film but with colour film it effects the various layers of the emulsion resulting in colour changes - usually to the pinks and reds. That is why a heat effected colour film will always print too red / magenta.
Black and white films are less complicated in their construction - less layers in the emulsion - and are more capable of handling high temperatures.
Just do not leave your film in a hot car.
Regards
Peter
Black and white films are less complicated in their construction - less layers in the emulsion - and are more capable of handling high temperatures.
Just do not leave your film in a hot car.
Regards
Peter
kshapero
South Florida Man
Don"t Leave The Film Or Camera In The Car, Period!!
nikon_sam
Shooter of Film...
If you must leave it in your car, find a cool place to park.
Also cover it with a blanket or two...insulation is the name of the game.
Crack open a few windows and, if you can, go out and open up the car to let the heat out during the day...
Also cover it with a blanket or two...insulation is the name of the game.
Crack open a few windows and, if you can, go out and open up the car to let the heat out during the day...
sepiareverb
genius and moron
DON"T LEAVE A CAMERA IN A HOT CAR!!
Film is cheap to replace- but a camera will really get messed up. Heat softens lubricants, and then they ooze away from where they ought to be. Cheaper modern SLR lenses are put together with tape, I've seen lens elements move from being left in a hot car. Arizona car temps could go upwards of 120 with ease I'd guess- that's hot.
I remember driving from San Antonio TX to Tacoma WA in the early 70's- in my Dad's Rambler station wagon. He'd had an air-conditioner put in this thing in TX, big box under the dash. Halfway across AZ all the adhesives and tape that held the AC together melted away- while we had lunch. Came back to a sticky puddles on the floor and no AC. We sweated our way to WA.
Get a locking file cabinet at work if you have to.
Film is cheap to replace- but a camera will really get messed up. Heat softens lubricants, and then they ooze away from where they ought to be. Cheaper modern SLR lenses are put together with tape, I've seen lens elements move from being left in a hot car. Arizona car temps could go upwards of 120 with ease I'd guess- that's hot.
I remember driving from San Antonio TX to Tacoma WA in the early 70's- in my Dad's Rambler station wagon. He'd had an air-conditioner put in this thing in TX, big box under the dash. Halfway across AZ all the adhesives and tape that held the AC together melted away- while we had lunch. Came back to a sticky puddles on the floor and no AC. We sweated our way to WA.
Get a locking file cabinet at work if you have to.
casualuser
Member
What is the ideal temp for storing film long term - over a month or so?
bsdunek
Old Guy with a Corgi
As several have said, heat is very detremental to film. B&W will become increasingly foggy and grainy. Color film, in addition to that will have color shifts, as the different layers are affected differently. Keep it COOL!😎
Stephanie Brim
Mental Experimental.
Slide film + couple days in a well heated place = interesting photos. 😉
Xmas
Veteran
Dont worry about the film the camera lube will melt and you will need a CLA, >>>$.
Insulated box if you are just shopping in the mall, otherwise carry it with you. You can easily get 40+ temperate in UK, Death valley hotter still, in auto.
Noel
Insulated box if you are just shopping in the mall, otherwise carry it with you. You can easily get 40+ temperate in UK, Death valley hotter still, in auto.
Noel