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Frozen Film

JCJackson

Member
Allowing Ads
Joined
Jul 9, 2009
Messages
51
Location
Pittsburgh,
Format
Multi Format
Because I like the look of it, I bought some bulk Agfa APX 100 as it was disappearing from the market. How long can I expect this (or any other B&W film) to retain its original properties if sealed and frozen (ordinary domestic freezer)? What are the keeping properties of B&W paper if frozen? I'm assuming that 3 to 5 years might be a reasonable expectation.
 
3 to 5 years easily in a freezer for film

Paper even longer

The faster the emulsion speed the faster it deteriorates - so paper which is v slow has a long life in the freezer

I have kept 100ASA film in a domestic freezer for 20 years without seemingly to suffer but may be that is exceptional.

Just make sure you give it 12hrs+ to thaw out before you try and use it.

Martin
 
The aging clock pretty much stops for film and paper once frozen. Do let come to room temp before using.
 
When I worked at Kodak I was told ten years plus. This is not an official Kodak statement, but the comment from the people that make the film. I believe that if you search for "PE" [member] and "frozen" you will find a more learned response.

HIE film ... not so long.

Steve
 
Not to go off-topic but does freezing film inside those lead lined bags help prevent radiation damage? Wouldn't this more-or-less prevent film aging?
 

In addition to the replies here, if you have not done a search, there is some interesting discussions on this subject. Check out

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)
 
Mike1234 said:
Not to go off-topic but does freezing film inside those lead lined bags help prevent radiation damage? Wouldn't this more-or-less prevent film aging?
Click to expand...

I do not know the effect on fogging. It will make the lead more brittle and possible add lead into the freeze, which is not a really great idea if there is also food in the freezer or food will be put into the freezer later.

Steve
 
Steve... very good points. I should have mentioned that the packages would be handled with great care especially while frozen and that these would be stored in a freezer dedicated for only film... never food.
 
Colder is better. A chest freezer (or deep freeze, as we call them) will keep the film longer than a refrigerator's freezer.

The lead-lined bags don't stop cosmic rays. You need to get film about 3-5 km underground to stop cosmic rays. That's not practical for most of us, although I live nearby some very deep potash mines so perhaps I can make some arrangements. The mines are deep enough and big enough that they have trucks down there that never come back up.
 

I know the answer! I know the answer! Call on me!!
PhotoJim is right about the cosmic rays. So lets take the money that we would have spent on Kodachrome and pool that money. Then we can buy an mine and fill it with freezers to store our film!

My bad!

Steve
 
LOL!! Hah... I surprize even myself sometimes with my own ignorance. I guess I should have research this before dropping my panties in public a forum.
 

If we do that, why not buy up all the Kodachrome and a processing system and take it all down to the mine too! Then we will be set!
 
Paul Sorensen said:
If we do that, why not buy up all the Kodachrome and a processing system and take it all down to the mine too! Then we will be set!
Click to expand...

We would need guns to defend our stash of process chemicals from the marauding looters from other caves who failed to plan adequatly.
 
Sirius Glass said:
Then we can buy an mine and fill it with freezers to store our film!
Click to expand...

Scene: 2929

Tour Guide: And on your left you can see where the miners in the 27th century first struck film. Follow me to see the world famous Kodachrome veins....



Michael
 
michaelbsc said:
We would need guns to defend our stash of process chemicals from the marauding looters from other caves who failed to plan adequatly.
Click to expand...

This is Canada, so we can save a lot of money by merely carrying knives.
 

Make sure to take your freezer too. It's hot down there!
 
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