Fridge where film is stored acting up

[smerchant]

I have been told at camera shops that I don't really need to but I still store my film in the fridge before I use it (black and white as well as color). My fridge has been acting up and getting a bit colder at times than usual where some things have gotten a bit frosty. Would my film still be okay? I know keeping in the freezer is okay too but just a matter of potential shifting temperatures. Thanks!

 

[bdial]

Not a problem for your film.

 

[Kevin Caulfield]

The colder the film the slower it ages.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Getting colder is not a problem. If the refrigerator breaks down the film can live outside the refrigerator until you can replace the refrigerator. There is no reason to start running around screaming, "We will all be killed! We will all be killed!"

 

[removed account4]

stick your film in ziplock bags with anti dessicant ..
humidity isn't very good for anything ..
good luck

 

[oscroft]

Just remember to always let film warm up to room temperature before opening the pot/can/foil to avoid getting condensation on it, and you'll be fine - there's no such thing as "too cold" for film, within reason.

 

[Sirius Glass]

If the Zip-Lock bag is properly sealed you do not need a dessicant .

 

[oscroft]

If the Zip-Lock bag is properly sealed you do not need a dessicant .

I only ever store film in a fridge (or freezer) when it's still in the original 35mm film pot (or foil for roll film) within its unopened box, and like that there's no need for zip-lock bags either. If it's been opened, yes, a zip-lock is a good idea - but once I've opened a film box/pot/foil myself I never put it back in the fridge, as I'm going to shoot it soon.

 

[removed account4]

OP
i suggested the antidessicant
becauise it seems your freezer/fridge
is not dry ( "frosty" ? ) not because you are storing it wrong.
moisture isn't good (for anything .. )

the folks at your store are probably correct,
unless where you are storing it is excessively hot,
or your temperature fluctuates wildly from freezing to boiling.
i've shelf stored most of my film for 15 years ( and some of it 2x that )
it's just fine ( high iso & low iso, b/w ). from my experience exposing/processing it ..
it is fine ... if you dig around there is a thread where someone who managed
the lab at a national portrait chain ( i think i got it right ) and how he and his workmates experimented with their film
by putting it in a "hot box" for a length of time to see how the film held up to excesses ..
( they were worried about excessive heat during transport from studio to lab )
the films were robust and were fine ... so, your photo shop guys weren't too far off,
but, if you ( like a lot of people ) are saving the film for making photographs at the end of days ..
the film will be the least of your worries

good luck with your fridge/freezer

 

[smerchant]

Thank you so much everyone. This film is stored in a tightly sealed plastic box so I'm not overly concerned that way. The changing temperature was my biggest concern. Seems there is a blocked tube or something - we've already had to throw away some food because it's been freezing and rethawing based on where it is.

Thanks again!
Sarah

 

[removed account4]

hi sarah

with liquid emulsion ( at least ) freeze + thaw breaks down the gelatin and causes "trouble"
i would guess it might do the same for your film. it might be good to take your sealed box
and put it on a subeterranian ( basement ) shelf where it is cool and the temperatures don't change much ...
until you get your fridge fixed ...

good luck
john

 

[Richard S. (rich815)]

stick your film in ziplock bags with anti dessicant ..
humidity isn't very good for anything ..
good luck

+1. Ziplock bags at least. Should the fridge/freezer fail and your films are not stored in a water or air-tight container the melting frost or condensation will at best soak your cardboard boxes making a sopping mess and at worse soak into the paper backing of your 120 rolls. Not good.

 

[Richard S. (rich815)]

Thank you so much everyone. This film is stored in a tightly sealed plastic box so I'm not overly concerned that way. The changing temperature was my biggest concern. Seems there is a blocked tube or something - we've already had to throw away some food because it's been freezing and rethawing based on where it is.

Thanks again!
Sarah

Make sure zero frost or crystals have been building up from the slight thawing or warm temps as you open that box and close it to retrieve films from time to time. If it's a lot of films in that box still might be best to break them down within the box into 5-10 films per quart-sized ziploc freezer baggie so most stay sealed and closed as you retrieve films to use.

 

[smerchant]

I just mentioned to another user that I'm planning on using up these films this weekend but will definitely use zip lock bags as a backup as well. Thank you!

 

[oscroft]

+1. Ziplock bags at least. Should the fridge/freezer fail and your films are not stored in a water or air-tight container the melting frost or condensation will at best soak your cardboard boxes making a sopping mess and at worse soak into the paper backing of your 120 rolls. Not good.

Now that's a good point, yes!

 

[Sirius Glass]

I only ever store film in a fridge (or freezer) when it's still in the original 35mm film pot (or foil for roll film) within its unopened box, and like that there's no need for zip-lock bags either. If it's been opened, yes, a zip-lock is a good idea - but once I've opened a film box/pot/foil myself I never put it back in the fridge, as I'm going to shoot it soon.

I only Zip-Loc film that has been opened.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Let all film and paper come up to room temperature before opening the packaging or Zip-Loc bags.