Suggestions on storing negatives

[haagen_dazs]

hi
I was wondering if you could share a good way of storing colour film negatives.
I developed a 36exp roll at CVS and the gave it back to me in one continuous roll.
I suppose i am going to have to cut it so that i can scan it (once i get myself a scanner)
Are sleeves good enough? How does one prevent the negatives from curling over time?

 

[amateriat]

The mehod I use is simple, but effective: cut the roll into strips of six frames each, then slip all the strips into a sinble acetate sleeve (there are plastic equivalents – presumably PVC-free, but don't quote me on that – for those who prefer that material. These sleeved rolls can be stored in print-paper boxes or thair nearest similar-sized equivalent.

As far as film-flatness goes, this is often determined by how the folm was handled before if was handed back to you. Minilabs I've worked with tend to take uncut film (the only way I insist it come back to me) in those plastic cans film cassettes come in. Great for protection, lousy in terms of curling. After carefully extracting the roll from the can, I "B-wind" it – essntially re-roll it emulsion-side out – just snug enough to place back into the can without worrying about scratching the film, and leave it there for about 20-45 minutes. This tends to eliminate any curling. (A less-racical method involves using the cover from a 25- or 50-disk CD-R/DVD-R spindle pack for the same purpose, but the "uncurling" process takes longer, due to the reduced tension on the film).

Hoping this helps,


Barrett