Storing Film

C

clcolucci58

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I notice that a lot you here at RFF keep there film stored in a freezer or is a refrigerator better, and when you want to shoot some film how long do you let it set out to warm up. Looking to store my film because I will be keeping a large sum on hand like 20-30 rolls of 120 and maybe even 35mm. As always thanks for the feedback and advice.

Regard,
clc
 
I've found the longer it can get to room temp. the better.

I like to take it out the day before.

Jury still out for me if it does any good to freeze or keep it in a cabinet, in the dark, and temp. same as the environment.

Using B&W film dated 2003. Still works just fine. The only exception, on higher speed films - fog over time.
 
I keep 35mm and 120 film in the freezer. I take it out a day before I'm going to use it. (Always have a few rolls out "just in case.")

I keep Polaroid film from Impossible and Fuji in the refrigerator, same deal: take it out the day before at least, and always keep a few out "just in case."

G
 
Bill Clark said:
I've found the longer it can get to room temp. the better.

I like to take it out the day before.

Jury still out for me if it does any good to freeze or keep it in a cabinet, in the dark, and temp. same as the environment.

Using B&W film dated 2003. Still works just fine. The only exception, on higher speed films - fog over time.
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Dear Bill,

No, I don't think the jury is out for anyone else on this one. Ask any film manufacturer. Cold is good. I allow at least 1 hr, preferably 8. I tried once with 15 min. and got away with it. But "getting away with it" ain't the same as "best practice".


Cheers,

R.
 
Dear Roger,

No, I don't think the jury is out for anyone else on this one.
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Just stating my experiences..

With color film I can understand where cold helps with the dyes. Black & White it hasn't made a difference to me.
 
Bill Clark said:
Dear Roger,

Just stating my experiences..

With color film I can understand where cold helps with the dyes. Black & White it hasn't made a difference to me.
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Dear Bill,

You may not have seen the difference. Nor, in the vast majority of cases, have I. That doesn't mean there is no difference. As I say, ask the manufacturers, who test films a lot more carefully than you or I. This is why I wrote, "getting away with it" ain't the same as "best practice".

Cheers,

R.
 
Tri-X in the refrigerator here, warms up overnight before loading.

Also, Arrhenius Equation says common chemical reactions at these temperatures double in rate for each 10 Celsius increase in temperature.
 
For warming up I'd say 1 to 2 hrs at room temperature.
15 min. in your jeans pocket if you are in a rush :D.
 
I'm using TMX-100 with expire date of 2003. It's kept in a cabinet in my office. Still works just fine.

I agree with kodak with other factors, like cosmic rays, can have degrading effects producing fog. I have had issues with that more so than how cold film is kept. I have found that temp differences can be harmful so I try to keep film, when not in a refrigerator/freezer in a cabinet that is dark and the temp doesn't change too much.

Just my 2 cents.
 
Bill Clark said:
I'm using TMX-100 with expire date of 2003. It's kept in a cabinet in my office. Still works just fine.
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The same for me - same film, same storage conditions.

Over the years I've found that B&W films don't absolutely have to be frozen/refrigerated.

What must be avoided is a repetition of temperatures changes. So, storing them in the coolest place of your apartment/house (usually, the dark bottom of a cupboard) is fine enough.

I recently shot some FP4+ 120 rolls outdated since 1998. Perfectly fine.

Of course, things are different for color films. But - I don't shoot some any longer (digital for color, film and 100% home processing for B&W).
 
Over the years I've found that B&W films don't absolutely have to be frozen/refrigerated.
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From our Fotohuis RoVo the B&W IR films are frozen, same for the professional C-41 and E-6 films. Amateur color films we never sold.
The rest of our B&W films are on a cool place, 15C-20C during the year.
 
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