How to store film while moving?

[mdwsta4]

I'll be moving across country at the end of this month and am concerned about storing my film stash. Currently I have about 50 or so rolls of 35mm and 120mm film in my freezer, some of which is expired. I also have 10-15 packs of Fuji/Impossible instant film in my refrigerator.

If I was simply flying or driving across country I wouldn't see this being a problem for a few days (or even using a cooler), but I'll be in corporate housing and hotels for approximately 30-45 days. The rest of my stuff will be in temporary storage and while I have asked if the storage facility is temperature controlled, I have not gotten an answer to that yet.

So my question is, what would be the best way to store this film to ensure it doesn't get damaged?


Thank you!
Matt

 

[PKR]

You want to avoid rapid changes in temp. So an ice chest with added insulation would be a start. Keeping it cool is an issue. You may try to find a wine storage locker. I don't know the cost but it would be a place that's safe. Maybe they will ship your film properly packaged when you get settled? Of, pack it up (insulated) yourself, ready to ship.

 

[MikeMGB]

It it's possible I would UPS or Fedex the film to yourself at your new location then store it in your temporary accommodation.

Even if you can't refrigerate it you'll have the comfort of knowing it is in a temperature controled environment.

 

[Godfrey]

I wouldn't worry about it overmuch. Freezing slows the aging process ... Defrosting 35mm/120 films for a while and refreezing it doesn't hurt anything. Just keep it sealed and in a cool, dry place: it will be fine for the duration.

The Impossible films are a bit more sensitive. I have some that I used to keep in the refrigerator but got pulled out when I renovated the kitchen a year ago. The older films were pretty inconsistent to begin with ... I've found they haven't gotten much worse after being stored at room temperature for a year. I decided to just ignore the careful storage and shoot it until I run out, then I'll re-stock. Somehow, the degradation and defects prove enjoyable, generating unexpected and sometimes very interesting results. If you really want to preserve it at the cool temps, find a friend who has spare refrigerator space to keep it for you while you get yourself settled.

G

 

[Phil_F_NM]

If any of it is real black and white, don't worry about it. The Impossible stuff and any E-6 or C-41 films are a bit more sensitive to heat but just a few weeks shouldn't be that bad. Maybe stick it all in an Igloo cooler with some red bricks or something like that which has a lot of thermal mass and "inertia" which will help the cooler to keep a stable temperature. The real problem is condensation which is easy to control by keeping the films well sealed up.

Phil Forrest

 

[mdwsta4]

I thought about the cooler/ice chest although I'll be spending the first 2-3 days of my trip in AZ/NM so it's going to be extremely hot. I wouldn't even know where to start looking for a wine storage facility on the other side of the country and to see if they'd even be willing to hold onto my film. I did consider calling the only person I know out there to see if I could borrow a section of their fridge and mail it out to them.

You want to avoid rapid changes in temp. So an ice chest with added insulation would be a start. Keeping it cool is an issue. You may try to find a wine storage locker. I don't know the cost but it would be a place that's safe. Maybe they will ship your film properly packaged when you get settled? Of, pack it up (insulated) yourself, ready to ship.

Chances are I won't be in the same location for the full 30-45 days which would make transporting the film and ensuring I have adequate storage kind of a pain.

It it's possible I would UPS or Fedex the film to yourself at your new location then store it in your temporary accommodation.

Even if you can't refrigerate it you'll have the comfort of knowing it is in a temperature controled environment.

The friend idea is what I'm contemplating now. I think that's a great suggestion. Thank you

I wouldn't worry about it overmuch. Freezing slows the aging process ... Defrosting 35mm/120 films for a while and refreezing it doesn't hurt anything. Just keep it sealed and in a cool, dry place: it will be fine for the duration.

If you really want to preserve it at the cool temps, find a friend who has spare refrigerator space to keep it for you while you get yourself settled.

It's a mix of different film stocks, but probably 60-70% of it is Tri-X (both 35mm and 120mm). With the impossible film I'm sure I could use that along my road trip.

If any of it is real black and white, don't worry about it. The Impossible stuff and any E-6 or C-41 films are a bit more sensitive to heat but just a few weeks shouldn't be that bad.

Thank you all for some of the suggestions. I was also able to confirm that the storage facility will be temperature controlled so worst case my film would be at room temperature for a month or so, but I wouldn't have to worry about it getting stored hotter than that.

 

[ChrisPlatt]

Address it to yourself at your new address.
Leave it with a friend to store at their place.
Once you are settled in have them ship it.

Chris

 

[Huss]

Ask a friend if they don't mind you renting a freezer/fridge and keeping in in their garage etc(with your film in it of course), until you are settled in your new place. Then have it shipped.

 

[mdwsta4]

I don't have a new address yet. Moving 3,000 miles across country and have a realtor helping us look. Doubt we'll have a place before we get out there hence the corporate housing.

Address it to yourself at your new address.
Leave it with a friend to store at their place.
Once you are settled in have them ship it.

Just found a friend with an extra fridge/freezer in their garage. I'll be shipping a box with everything out to them for storage so that should work out well. Wouldn't have thought about that without your guys' suggestions. Thank you again!

Ask a friend if they don't mind you renting a freezer/fridge and keeping in in their garage etc(with your film in it of course), until you are settled in your new place. Then have it shipped.