Storing Film

[clcolucci58]

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

 

[Steve Bellayr]

30 minutes. But I always keep a roll out at room temperature...just in case. Film can be refrozen.

 

[Bill Clark]

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.

 

[Godfrey]

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

 

[Roger Hicks]

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.

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.

 

[Bill Clark]

Dear Roger,

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

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.

 

[Roger Hicks]

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.

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.

 

[pete hogan]

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.

 

[Fotohuis]

All possibilities in any labority (Kodak) tested:

http://www.kodak.com/global/en/consumer/products/techInfo/e30/e30.pdf

 

[icebear]

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 😀.

 

[Gareth Rees]

I take it out the night before usually, but have used film after an hour.

 

[Bill Clark]

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.

 

[Highway 61]

I'm using TMX-100 with expire date of 2003. It's kept in a cabinet in my office. Still works just fine.

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).

 

[Fotohuis]

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

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.