refrigerated vs frozen?

[rinzlerb]

At what point is refrigeration advisable?

At what point is refrigeration advisable?

I have kids and a mother-in-law: my fridge is not a safe place for much of anything. I haven't noticed any degradation of film that I keep in my closet for 4-6 months. Haven't kept any longer than that. Friends, why all the long-term storage? I guess outside of NYC space isn't as much of an issue and you get discounts for buying in bulk. But I have noticed a tendency among the technically inclined to make many things really complicated, sometimes without cause. I'd be interested to know at what point a regular joe might notice a difference.

 

[CliveC]

When things go on sale, people stock up.
Also, there are now many films that are out of production so refrigerating any remaining films means you can shoot them longer.

Then add to that people like me who take forever to go through a roll.

 

[Scrambler]

I bought 6 cans of 100ft each of Kodak Hawkeye B&W. That needs some sort of storage so it gets frozen. The working film, though, is on a bulk loader at ambient temp. It takes about a year, maybe more, for me to get through the roll. I've not noticed a significant problem with fog but maybe I'm not critical enough.

I also have a bulk loaded roll of Kodak Ortho dated 1971. I expose as if it's Asa 25 rather than 50 and it seems fine.

 

[Bill Clark]

Over the years, I have found that it doesn't make much of a difference for B&W film. Having it in a cabinet in my office, frige or freezer; it all has the same results.

The only thing I notice is the higher the ISO (ASA) the quicker it fogs no matter where it's stored (Cosmic rays). I tend to keep low ISO film a long time. I have bulk 100' rolls that have an expire date 2004 and still work just fine.

I find it helps to over expose the higher outdated ASA film, particularly those with a way back expire date, under develop, that produces a wee bit less fog.

Color I only use digital anymore.

Hope this helps.

 

[Nokton48]

I agree with Bill ^ it doesen't make -that- much difference. B&W will last much longer if frozen while it has little effect on color emulsions. But, it can't hurt, either.

I have a deep freeze in my basement and it if -full- of film. Recently I have been stocking up on 2.25"x3.25" 6x9cm and 9x12cm B&W sheet film. These are simply not easy to find in my neck of the woods. Expensive to stock up, but then I am done with it.

 

[pete hogan]

And the refrigerator is on anyway...

 

[philipus]

Friends, why all the long-term storage?

The reason I freeze is that I have several bulk rolls of tri-x that expired in the 90s and also a hundred or so rolls of Velvia 100 in 35mm and another hundred rolls Provia 400 in 120 all of which expired a number of years ago.

If I only shot currently available film stock I wouldn't bother with a freezer but I enjoy buying and using old stock (provided it's been stored well and so far I've been lucky).

cheers
philip

 

[ChrisLivsey]

Anybody care to guess what "highly beneficial" means?

I suspect it refers to maintaining the colour balance of the film. Most posters to the thread are assuming B/W which is inherently more stable to ageing effects.

Pro colour stock was/is released with a shorter shelf life after ageing to meet a set colour balance. To maintain this fridge storage was/is usual.I assume the comment means this lower temperature storage regime would also benefit "amateur" stock.