How well does Fomapan 100 keep?

George Mann · Dec 4, 2020

I live in a campervan. I can buy 10 rolls of Fomapan 100 for just over $5 a piece.

How long until this film starts to deteriorate unrefrigerated?

George Mann · Dec 4, 2020

I have 10 Kentmere 100 @ $50 even.

Pentode · Dec 4, 2020

Unless you’re exposing it to high heat you should be good for a year. Excessive heat and excessive moisture are the enemy of film but slow to medium speed films age pretty well unrefrigerated. If moisture is a problem in your area you could seal the film in a zip-loc bag with some silica packets just to be safe.

George Mann · Dec 4, 2020

I don't think that I can shoot all 10 of them in one year.

Pentode · Dec 4, 2020

George Mann said:
I don't think that I can shoot all 10 of them in one year.

I suspect you'll still be fine. I've shot poorly stored 100-speed film that was years old and looked okay.

pentaxuser · Dec 4, 2020

I have no idea about what your caravan is like nor the temperature range in Denver but when I had a caravan in England the internal temperature was too warm to be comfortable in the summer if the caravan was locked left locked up for a few hours while we were out , However it was never designed for permanent living and caravans that are may be better insulated caravans with tinted windows and be connected to an electric point so that AC may be possible, These are another kettle of fish

It may be enough to keep the films in a cupboard and a bit more than a year isn't that long a storage time.Ideally you have a fridge with a big enough storage capacity for a small box of films

pentaxuser

DeletedAcct1 · Dec 4, 2020

George Mann said:
I live in a campervan. I can buy 10 rolls of Fomapan 100 for just over $5 a piece.

How long until this film starts to deteriorate unrefrigerated?

Until the expiration date

George Mann · Dec 4, 2020

Alessandro Serrao said:
Until the expiration date

Which makes sense. BTW, I am currently in southern Arizona, not Denver.

Mick Fagan · Dec 4, 2020

I just checked my camera bag, it has an array of 4x5" sheet film and is permanently stored in our camper. It has Foma 400, Bergger 400, FP4+ and HP5+. The Foma film is used the least and in fact has been in there for around 3 years and ran out of date in 2018. I have just developed two sheets this morning and they look as brilliant as ever. My Ilford films are all 2014 expiry and work a treat, so I wouldn't worry.

Temperatures in our camper were around 50ºC for some of the time over the past 18 months, as they are every year.

I think you'll be fine.

Mick.

R.Gould · Dec 5, 2020

I don't use the 100, mainly the fomapan 400, and I store it on a shelf, in my living romm, keeps very well, I have kept it for over a year with no detrimental effects,

halfaman · Dec 5, 2020

I read years ago an interview to someone from Ilford saying that film expiration dates where calculated with suboptimal keeping conditions, specially regarding temperature. Following recomendations extend film life far beyond expiration date.

I took that as a general statement for any film, Ilford's or not.

Alan9940 · Dec 5, 2020

I store all my film in a chest freezer and was surprised to find out that 2 year past expiry date Fomapan 100 4x5 revealed some fog. A low fog developer like Rodinal and several drops of benzo takes care of it, but I've never experienced this with any other film stock that I use.

How well does Fomapan 100 keep?

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