Negative Storage

[bigdog]

I have all my b&W negatives in Printfile archival preservers stored in their plastic work box.

I was wondering if anyone can comment on the long term implications of storing my color negatives in the sleeves that come along with the prints and processing provided by Walmart?

Do I need to transfer those negatives to a different (Printfile) negative sleeve or can I leave them in the Walmart provided sleeves?

I noticed some saying the negatives started to adhere to the plastic drugstore type sleeves after long storage periods.

Thank you!

 

[Fotohuis]

It depends on the material.

Sleeves are normally made from pergamyn (paper) or clear acetate. In a more archival material: PP (polypropylene) or polyester.

For price - quality pergamyn is the best choice talking over 50 years or even more.
PP or polyester even more.

According ANSI IT9.16/DIN ISO 10214 even acetate is ok for archival purposes so at least for the commimg 30 years no problem.

 

[jke]

I like pergamyn just for the lack of static generation, especially if you are whipping negatives in and out of sleeves for printing or scanning.

I also like acid-free cardboard boxes for storage. When I kept sleeves in binders, one or another sleeve ended up crimped or folded. Flat keeps things well, flat.

I used to attach a contact to sheets, but I don't do that any longer. I need to figure out a filing system of some sort, because finding an image when I need it is a daunting task. I figure I'll leave that to the first assistant I hire when I get rich and famous.

In other words, never.

 

[Fotohuis]

Correct about the static generation on all polymer sleeves but when doing a contact print I do not have to remove my negatives. I just put a glas on the sleeve (clear acetate or pp) and do the exposure.

So each material has his own advantage and disadvantage.

Best regards,

Robert

 

[jke]

Right! I've been scanning for long enough, I forgot printing contacts in the sheet! That definitely makes things easier.

I actually tried at one point to rig up an old flatbed scanner & a light box for contact sheets, but it never seemed to work right somehow. Either I needed a scanner with a bigger bed, which was too expensive, or I had to take the strips out of the sleeve to fit everything on the scanner bed at the same time. Neither was satisfactory.