How long to store photographic film in fridge?

[sanarota]

[FONT=&quot]How long to store photographic film in fridge? [/FONT][FONT=&quot]This question is linked to my earlier one about availability of 220 size Fuji colour film.

It seems that I may have found a source in the UK of 220 Velia 100. I have a fridge-freezer, with space in both compartments to store film.

1 .Which compartment should I use?

2. How long will the film last before deterioration becomes noticeable?

3. Should I add any further wrapping to the packaging the film arrives in?

Thanks in advance - the last set of replies was excellent![/FONT]

 

[rxmd]

You can use the freezer compartment. When opening a new roll of film, give it a little time to get up to ambient temperatures before opening the package, in order to avoid condensation from ambient humidity.

I think I learned in chemistry class that reaction speed roughly halves if you decrease the temperature by 10 degrees. So if your film has its shelf life specified at 22 degrees, if you keep it in the fridge compartment at 7 degrees it will last almost three times as long (two to the power of 1.5), and if you keep it in the freezer compartment at -18 degrees it will last 16 times as long. Note that film is normally usable well after its specified shelf life, so for all practical purposes film kept in the freezer will outlast you.

Further wrapping isn't really necessary; as soon as the film is cooled down to ambient temperature wrapping won't make it any cooler, and you won't be opening the door for extended amounts of time so you won't get any added protection from degradation.

 

[bigcatlian]

I just took out several rolls of kodak film that I have kept in frig for at least 5 yrs to test my 'new' camera.They were kept in the meat compartment with the original plastic container.

http://xavier.zenfolio.com/p1037192261/h82812bb#h82812bb

 

[SolaresLarrave]

I keep film in ziplock bags just to prevent ice from forming in the canister or somewhere... And when I want to use it, I take it out and let it thaw for at least half hour.

 

[Roger Hicks]

You've already had all the advice you need, especially from RXMD. The Arrhenius equation doesn't apply to cosmic ray damage (worst with fast films) but with Velvia a year or two or five shouldn't matter if you freeze it.

Tashi delek,

R.

 

[BTMarcais]

All I can do is echo everyone else here. The freezer is your best bet, ziplock bags to deal with condensation, and you'll be able to keep your film pretty much until you want to use it. Just shot some fuji sensia 400 (E6) that has been frozen since '98, dated '99. came out just dandy.
-Brian