Film Aging

I have a situation at home with my dog that's prevented me from getting out to do much shooting in the past 4-6 months and I'm not sure when I can get out due to his condition. He has a progressive disease called Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) that affects the spinal cord and it's rendered his rear legs useless. He's not even crawling anymore but can walk with the front legs it I lift up the rear. I can't leave him alone.

Having said that, I have a stash of film, all B&W, that will be expiring this year and wonder if I just need to refrigerate it...possible in the freezer. It's not a great deal but more than I know I'll be able to shoot soon. I don't know how long after the stated expiration date on the box it would be before any potential problem would occur. It could be good to go for several years beyond that but, I don't know. Ideas/suggestions?

Don't stress about it. It will still be fine for a few more months. Ideally get it into a fridge or preferably a freezer within a few months. Then it will still be good for a few years.

Kevin is right. Do not worry about the film. If possible put it in the refrigerator.

Yes, the film can be refrigerated, or ideally frozen. If the latter, be sure to bag it properly - I use triple sealing in good Ziplocks. I hope you will be using a frost-free freezer, but a non frost-free is okay with regular checks to ensure humidity doesn't get into the packs. I check my frozen stock monthly and so far all is well.

Refrigerating film is okay for shorter periods. Humidity can be a problem for film in many (especially older) fridges.

I have kept film frozen for 10+ years and even the EI 1600 Fuji rolls were good, showing no fog at all.

You are being very kind to your old canine friend, in his time of need. I commend you for this.

A bit off topic but are you aware that they make wheelchair like devices for dogs. They consist of two wheels that strap onto the dog's hind quarter are restore independent mobility. There are several makes and they are not expensive.

https://www.k9carts.com/?utm_source=Bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=k9 Carts (Emma - WSM) BMM

Gerald C Koch said:

A bit off topic but are you aware that they make wheelchair like devices for dogs. They consist of two wheels that strap onto the dog's hind quarter are restore independent mobility. There are several makes and they are not expensive.

https://www.k9carts.com/?utm_source=Bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=k9 Carts (Emma - WSM) BMM

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I was thinking the same thing Gerry. Saw it on one of the animal shows from TV. Those dogs can really go with those rear wheels.

I may put most of it in the fridge. It's old as dirt(1977 Sears Cold Spot) and a spare in the attached garage but still works despite it's age. As for Bubba, my 12 year old Corgi, I've tried two different carts, as they call them, and he refuses to budge in them. He just freezes. This past Summer I did manage to get him in the driveway where it was smooth and no bumps like the back yard and he did go up and down once with it but that's been it. Those carts were a bit over $300. I tried to no avail. Some take to them and some never do.

John Wiegerink said:

I was thinking the same thing Gerry. Saw it on one of the animal shows from TV. Those dogs can really go with those rear wheels.

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I had a cat that had her back legs paralyzed since birth. She used one of these wheelchairs and she could almost run with it. Just watch out for steps and stairs.

ColColt said:

I may put most of it in the fridge. It's old as dirt(1977 Sears Cold Spot) and a spare in the attached garage but still works despite it's age. As for Bubba, my 12 year old Corgi, I've tried two different carts, as they call them, and he refuses to budge in them. He just freezes. This past Summer I did manage to get him in the driveway where it was smooth and no bumps like the back yard and he did go up and down once with it but that's been it. Those carts were a bit over $300. I tried to no avail. Some take to them and some never do.

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I am using a 70s era Kenmore freezer and it's worked perfect for film and paper. I am shooting Neopan 400 120 with 2009 expiration date, which has been frozen since new. It's easily 10 years old but you wouldn't know it except by the .02 increase in base fog that only the Macbeth densitometer can measure.

As a fellow Corgi owner, I know how smart and stubborn they can be. Sorry to hear about the dog situation, looks like a great animal.