Storing film in the fridge?

Hi Folks,

I have seen people on the web and read in books about keeping film fresh
by storing it in a refrigerator. I have just been bought a mini
desk-side one by my girlfriend, and on the side of the box it came in it
even says that it can be used for storing film.

Why would you store film in a refrigerator? Is it safe to do this with
my 35mm film?

Thanks,

Andrew McCall.

Andrew McCall wrote:
Hi Folks,

I have seen people on the web and read in books about keeping film fresh
by storing it in a refrigerator. I have just been bought a mini
desk-side one by my girlfriend, and on the side of the box it came in it
even says that it can be used for storing film.

Why would you store film in a refrigerator? Is it safe to do this with
my 35mm film?


A couple of reasons. If you're using B&W or consumer colour then you're
trying to make it last longer then the best by date. If you're using pro
colour film and won't be using it quickly you're trying to minimize any
changes in the film.

Nick

Why would you store film in a refrigerator? Is it safe to do this with
my 35mm film?

Yes. Give the film a couple of hours to warm up to room temperature before
you open the can, so that moisture doesn't condense on it.

Refrigeration makes the film last longer (up to several years past its
expiration date). Some professional films require refrigeration because
they are carefully color-matched (roll to roll) and will lose the matching
if stored at room temperature. However, it is safe to store them at room
temperature for weeks if you do not need the best possible roll-to-roll
matching.

Why would you store film in a refrigerator? Is it safe to do this with
my 35mm film?

Refrigeration is good, freezing is even better. But make sure the film is in
its original sealed packaging. If not (such as a bulk roll) put the film
inside a sealed bag on a dry day (low humidity).

Whether or not it is "safe" to put your film in the fridge or freezer may
depend on whether you are married.

One thing it does is keeping the bugs from eating the Gelatin.

I still have 900' of Plus X (kodak 25 ASA B&W) in the freezer at 0' and there
is no shifting after over 5 years. Yeah I bought over 2000' of it when they
did away with it.





In article , Andrew McCall
writes:

Hi Folks,

I have seen people on the web and read in books about keeping film fresh
by storing it in a refrigerator. I have just been bought a mini
desk-side one by my girlfriend, and on the side of the box it came in it
even says that it can be used for storing film.

Why would you store film in a refrigerator? Is it safe to do this with
my 35mm film?

Thanks,

Andrew McCall.


Mike Babcock
Mike's Photo

"Mikesphoto" wrote in message
...
One thing it does is keeping the bugs from eating the Gelatin.

I still have 900' of Plus X (kodak 25 ASA B&W) in the freezer at 0' and
there
is no shifting after over 5 years. Yeah I bought over 2000' of it when
they
did away with it.

Do you mean Panatomic-X? Plus-X (ISO 125) is still with us.

Panatomic-X was a great film, supposedly obsoleted by T-Max 100, but in fact
it has a completely different curve shape and pictorial quality -- rather
like grainless Tri-X Pan.

If I were doing more photography I'd try to buy one of those 100-foot rolls
from you!

As others have said, refrigeration will allow you to keep film longer.
One word of caution: Don't expect to keep high speed film beyond its
expiration date. Refrigeration will slow down the chemical reactions, but it
will not stop background radiation. (Lead bags wont either.) I don't use any
400 speed film that is beyond its expiration date even if it has been
frozen. I don't use 800 speed film if it has less than a y/ear left before
it expires. I have not found a radiation problem with 100 and 200 speed
films. I've kept them in the freezer for years.

--
Ron Andrews
http://members.hostedscripts.com/antispam.html
"Andrew McCall" wrote in message
...
Hi Folks,

I have seen people on the web and read in books about keeping film fresh
by storing it in a refrigerator. I have just been bought a mini
desk-side one by my girlfriend, and on the side of the box it came in it
even says that it can be used for storing film.

Why would you store film in a refrigerator? Is it safe to do this with
my 35mm film?

Thanks,

Andrew McCall.

Yeah brain fart time or senior moment.

sorry


In article , "Michael A. Covington"
writes:

Do you mean Panatomic-X? Plus-X (ISO 125) is still with us.

Panatomic-X was a great film, supposedly obsoleted by T-Max 100, but in fact
it has a completely different curve shape and pictorial quality -- rather
like grainless Tri-X Pan.

If I were doing more photography I'd try to buy one of those 100-foot rolls
from you!


Mike Babcock
Mike's Photo

"Ron Andrews" wrote in message
...
As others have said, refrigeration will allow you to keep film
longer.
One word of caution: Don't expect to keep high speed film beyond its
expiration date. Refrigeration will slow down the chemical reactions, but
it
will not stop background radiation. (Lead bags wont either.) I don't use
any
400 speed film that is beyond its expiration date even if it has been
frozen. I don't use 800 speed film if it has less than a y/ear left before
it expires. I have not found a radiation problem with 100 and 200 speed
films. I've kept them in the freezer for years.


Theoretically, in fact, refrigeration might *increase* the effect of
radiation, by reducing the reciprocity failure which would otherwise
mitigate it. But the refrigerator probably absorbs some radiation. So it's
hard to say...

But 400 speed film doesn't go kaplooey immediately on its expiration date.
Tri-X Pan is good for about 5 years past expiration, for instance, if you're
willing to make small adjustments to the development time.

You should hang onto that Panatomic-X. T-Max 100 is not really a
substitute!


"Mikesphoto" wrote in message
...
Yeah brain fart time or senior moment.

sorry


In article , "Michael A.
Covington"
writes:

Do you mean Panatomic-X? Plus-X (ISO 125) is still with us.

Panatomic-X was a great film, supposedly obsoleted by T-Max 100, but in
fact
it has a completely different curve shape and pictorial quality -- rather
like grainless Tri-X Pan.

If I were doing more photography I'd try to buy one of those 100-foot
rolls
from you!


Mike Babcock
Mike's Photo