naked roll film

speedtrials

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Jul 12, 2006
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6
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35mm
Hi All,
Here is my situation: I bought a bunch of 120 film (provia and portra) at the auction site. When I received it turns out that it came minus the boxes (as expected) but also minus the individual foil around each roll (not expected). As far as i know this is *not good* for the chemistry and not good for freezing. there are condensation issues etc. The guy i bought it from is very nice though and is willing to give me a refund (he's already done it actually) but the film was pretty cheap (works out to about $2 per roll) so i'm wondering how bad it is to keep film frozen without the foil...just in ziplocks. After all, 35mm doesn't come in foil and its no big deal to freeze it. also from what i've read here in the archives, sheet film can be stored in the freezer in ziplocks and its not a big deal as long as you let it come to room temperature slowly while its still in the ziplock.

so if anyone has some advice on this i would really appreciate it! should i send the film back or just use it? thanks!
 

PHOTOTONE

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Oct 30, 2006
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Film needs a vapor barrier if you are going to refrigerate it or freeze it. In 35mm, this is managed by the snap-cap plastic cannister the film is shipped in. For 120, it is the foil pouch, same for sheet film. If you break the pouch, then you should use a heavy duty zip-lock, or two, one inside the other. The fact that your film came without the foil pouches is suspect in my book. There is no reason for unexposed film to ever be out of the pouch until almost ready to shoot. I would send the film back. It is not extremely difficult to find 120 size color film from time to time at the same price point you found. For example, I just purchased 100 rolls of 35mm Ektachrome EPP 36 exp. in bulk packs in-date for $1.00 per roll. These all came in their snap-lid plastic cannisters, but in bulk cardboard boxes of 50 rolls. They went right into my fridge. I realize this is 35mm, but I still contend that if you keep looking you will find similar deals on 120.
 

Mick Fagan

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Sep 13, 2005
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Melbourne Au
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The interesting thing about a seal for water vapour, is that the FP4+ 4x5 25 pack I bought last week, is not sealed in that sense.

The film is held in an open ended plastic bag, which is folded under at the open end. That plastic bag of film is then held in the normal three piece cardboard box arrangement for sheet film.

Over the years I have put film in and out of refrigerators in like containers without any harm. However with 120 film I would certainly, and do use, zip-lock bags.

Mick.
 

Photo Engineer

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Without the original box, you have no idea of the real expiration date.

The film will have deteriorated a lot more than if kept in the original foil wrapper.

But, if you keep it, double bag it in ziplock bags and drive out excess air in each bag as much as possible, then you can refrigerate or freeze. Don't open the bags when you take it out until it is fully thawed.

PE
 

reellis67

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Mar 10, 2005
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Central Flor
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The other thing that comes to my mind is how much exposure to bright light has this film had? If it has been in the light for a while, you could be looking at banding along the edges no matter how much care you exercise while you have it.

- Randy
 

JBrunner

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Dec 14, 2005
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PNdub
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wildbill said:
vacuum sealer
Click to expand...

I had great ideas about a vacuum sealer, then I priced the "media" and found it cost more to seal up most things, than they were worth in the first place. Did I miss something? Is there a cheaper workaround, because I'd have one in a second if there were, for film and other things.

J
 

Mike Wilde

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Aug 10, 2006
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Misissauaga
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M&M containers

I know that they hold one roll of 120 easily, and might even hold 2. Keep moisture at bay once closed. Blast with some nitrogen / wine preserve spray before snapplng shut, then pp the surplus so treated into the freezer.
 
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