Film storage

[Isaiah Dominguez]

I just bought a mini fridge from Amazon and a couple days later I noticed some Is condensation. Is humidity bad for film even of its in their original canisters and unopened boxes? I also was thinking about buying silica packs to absorb moisture.

 

[BrianShaw]

I keep my factory-sealed film in zip-lock plastic bags and in a Tupperware container while refrigerated.

 

[Nitroplait]

Condensation normally forms on the outer surface when a cold item enters a warm environment (with humidity) like when you take the film out of the refrigerator or like here, when you open the door to the refrigerator and let warmer air in.
It is therefore advise-able to leave film in an environment with the target temperature of the usage situation for it to climatize before opening the sealed package. If you do that, you will avoid condensation directly on the film or film cartridge.
Film in original packaging kan be kept refrigerated without problems and putting silica gel in the refrigerator will do nothing but waste space and money.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

I just bought a mini fridge from Amazon and a couple days later I noticed some Is condensation. Is humidity bad for film even of its in their original canisters and unopened boxes? I also was thinking about buying silica packs to absorb moisture.

shouldn't affect it as long as it is in its original packaging, I'd think.

 

[HeikoW]

I wouldn't trust the standard packaging if stored over a longer period of time. Doubt that these are all 100% impermeable with respect to diffusion of gases, humidity etc. I seal my films additionally before putting them into a fridge.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

I wouldn't trust the standard packaging if stored over a longer period of time. Doubt that these are all 100% impermeable with respect to diffusion of gases, humidity etc. I seal my films additionally before putting them into a fridge.

That's the best practice and then take them out of the fridge a day or two before using film.

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

I keep the unopened film in a ziplock with a silica gel packet in the freezer. Once opened I don't refreeze film.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I trust the factory packaging and I let the film take its time to warm up before opening the packaging. I have been doing that for almost two decades and never had a problem.

 

[Ten301]

I keep the unopened film in a ziplock with a silica gel packet in the freezer. Once opened I don't refreeze film.

+1

 

[Sirius Glass]

I keep the unopened film in a ziplock with a silica gel packet in the freezer. Once opened I don't refreeze film.

Once opened, the film goes into the refrigerator in a Zip-Lok bag.

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

Once opened, the film goes into the refrigerator in a Zip-Lok bag.

That seems chancy to me. You've never had condensation inside the zip lock?

 

[Sirius Glass]

That seems chancy to me. You've never had condensation inside the zip lock?

No. Besides the relative humidity in southern California is normally towards the low side. That is not to say the California is a dry state.

 

[Pieter12]

Camera stores keep their film refrigerated at a higher temperature than what is used for food (think florist's refrigerator). I think that might also contribute to lower humidity inside the refrigerator. Follow the manufacturers' recommendations. Unless, of course, you are freezing he film.

I just store black and white film in an insulated cooler bag.

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

Camera stores keep their film refrigerated at a higher temperature than what is used for food (think florist's refrigerator). I think that might also contribute to lower humidity inside the refrigerator. Follow the manufacturers' recommendations. Unless, of course, you are freezing he film.

I just store black and white film in an insulated cooler bag.

Actually, the air might be at lower relative humidity at higher temperatures. But it can hold more water vapor than at lower temperatures. That's why it always feels so dry in your throat during the winter and you need a humidifier. That's why humidity is always called relative humidity because it depends on what the temperature is. One square foot of air at let's say 30 degree F holds 1 pint of water vapor and reads 50% RH. But at 85 degrees, you can quadruple the water vapor and it will read 50% as well (These amounts are not accurate. I am just showing that there is a huge difference in RH and vapor depending on the temperature of the air).

This is why you have to be careful when you go from outside in winter into a hot house with your camera. The air around the cold camera cannot hold the moisture in your hotter house. So it condenses on the camera's metal or lens. In effect, it's reaching its dew point like dew on the grass on a cold morning.

 

[pentaxuser]

That is not to say the California is a dry state.

No the dry state is Utah, isn't it?

Just a Saturday night quip

pentaxuser

 

[Sirius Glass]

Actually, the air might be at lower relative humidity at higher temperatures. But it can hold more water vapor than at lower temperatures. That's why it always feels so dry in your throat during the winter and you need a humidifier. That's why humidity is always called relative humidity because it depends on what the temperature is. One square foot of air at let's say 30 degree F holds 1 pint of water vapor and reads 50% RH. But at 85 degrees, you can quadruple the water vapor and it will read 50% as well (These amounts are not accurate. I am just showing that there is a huge difference in RH and vapor depending on the temperature of the air).

This is why you have to be careful when you go from outside in winter into a hot house with your camera. The air around the cold camera cannot hold the moisture in your hotter house. So it condenses on the camera's metal or lens. In effect, it's reaching its dew point like dew on the grass on a cold morning.

And that is why I posted using the term "relative humidity".

 

[Sirius Glass]

No the dry state is Utah, isn't it?

Just a Saturday night quip

pentaxuser

Yes, Utah is a dry state. California is not a dry state, however the better California wines are dry.

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

Here's an interesting chart that show the differences in moisture in air at different temperatures at their saturation points. Actually, my 4 fold estimate was low. It's closer to 6 or 7 times difference between 30 and 80 degrees.

 

[warden]

I put fresh unopened film in a gallon freezer bag, and into the freezer they go.

 

[drmoss_ca]

My first question is how long a film is to be stored? A fridge is better than room temperature, and a freezer is better still. I'm using film that has been frozen for over thirty years with no ill-effects.
Plan for the long term. Buy a freezer, and buy up film stock you like. You might be the only person here with access to Tri-X in thirty years! (Well, I've a hell of a lot of it but I won't be here in thirty years.)

 

[Sirius Glass]

My first question is how long a film is to be stored? A fridge is better than room temperature, and a freezer is better still. I'm using film that has been frozen for over thirty years with no ill-effects.
Plan for the long term. Buy a freezer, and buy up film stock you like. You might be the only person here with access to Tri-X in thirty years! (Well, I've a hell of a lot of it but I won't be here in thirty years.)

I have the same experience how ever change the 30 years to approximately 20 years for me.

 

[leicaboss]

I typically store my film in Ziploc freezer bags with as much air evacuated as I can or just toss it into an air-tight Tupperware.

My question is, are there downsides to the number of times a roll of film is "defrosted"?

 

[drmoss_ca]

I have the same experience how ever change the 30 years to approximately 20 years for me.

I know the feeling. My horizons have contracted rather frighteningly.

 

[Mainecoonmaniac]

I just bought a mini fridge from Amazon and a couple days later I noticed some Is condensation. Is humidity bad for film even of its in their original canisters and unopened boxes? I also was thinking about buying silica packs to absorb moisture.

All film is packaged against humidity. Once it's opened, moisture could damage the film. What causes condensation is humid getting chilled by the freezer. If it's just black and white film, I would not put it back in the fridge once you open it if you plan to use it up in less than a year. Just store your film in a cool, dark and dry place.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

My first question is how long a film is to be stored? A fridge is better than room temperature, and a freezer is better still. I'm using film that has been frozen for over thirty years with no ill-effects.
Plan for the long term. Buy a freezer, and buy up film stock you like. You might be the only person here with access to Tri-X in thirty years! (Well, I've a hell of a lot of it but I won't be here in thirty years.)

I'll buy fresh film until they don't make it anymore.