Paper Storage

photomc · Apr 18, 2004

Apologies if this has been covered, but a search did not locate anything.

How do most of you store your unused paper? Such as freezer, fridge, etc. Trying to decide where to go, with limits or possible limits on what we will have available in the future, I was thinking of stocking up on some papers.

I have found that I like the look of Agfa MC Classic, 111 and not sure what is like it. Also, found that other than Ilford, most paper must be ordered so would like to store some.

Same question for film, though I have found that stored in a freezer it seems to stay stable for a long time.

Thanks,

gma · Apr 18, 2004

I try to store unopened sheet film boxes in the meat keeper tray in the refrigerator when my wife will allow. Others have said that they store 35mm & roll film in original packaging in ziplock plastic bags either in refrigerator or freezer. Whichever place, just remember to allow time to warm to room temp before opening to avoid condensation. From refrig allow 1-2 hours. From freezer allow at least 3 hrs to be sure. Even better remove the night before. I usually buy paper in boxes of 25 sheets and keep at room temp. I do not store any paper in the darkroom.

Ka · Apr 18, 2004

WHY don't you store your paper in the darkroom, gma?

photomc · Apr 18, 2004

Ka, not speaking for GMA but I would guess because of the chemicals - some such as sulfide toners will fog film and paper.

GMA - Thanks, agree about the warm up time, overnight for paper out of the freezer sounds right. Looking at a dedicated freezer/fridge for photo paper/film - OK, will still have to share with the spouse, but hey it's a thought.

gareth harper · Apr 18, 2004

I store mine in the darkroom.
In my small house the fridge is not an option and I don't even own a freezer.
I keep the paper in the orginal boxes and try to use any fiber paper within 6 months if possible.

Ole · Apr 18, 2004

With one exception, I store all my paper in the darkroom. Some of it is now up to 20 years old, and some of it still work just fine. A few show slight fogging when processed normally, but turn out to be better than new for lith printing.

I have two boxes of Guilleminot G1 in my freezer, and one opened box in the darkroom. This paper hasn't beenmade for many years, so it's worth storing properly if I ever need to use it.

clogz · Apr 18, 2004

Gareth & Ole I agree with you. I have just used some ten-year-old Agfa RC paper which I had in a darkroom cupboard. It is still fine.

Hans

gma · Apr 18, 2004

I got in the habit of keeping paper in the air conditioned house when I had a darkroom in a corner of the garage.

gma

glbeas · Apr 18, 2004

I'm lucky enough to have a full sized fridge in the basement for my film and paper. Actually getting a fridge for film is not that expensive if you buy used, its finding a place to put it thats the problem. A lot of people don't have room for an extra fridge, even the mini fridges that other folks use for beer. Just make sure the fridge has good seals so it doesn't sweat all over the contents and make it soggy.

Sean · Apr 18, 2004

I have my azo stored in my darkroom which is fairly dry and cool. I hear azo stores really well so hope I have nothing to worry about...

ThomHarrop · Apr 18, 2004

I have a small fridge I got at Home Despot. I keep a couple of bottles of French wine and my unopened paper and film. It was pretty cheap but it is a noisy little *&#%%!

Deniz · Apr 18, 2004

i am one of those lucky ones that have a dedicated fridge for photo supplies.
Its in my room and its a little fridge (4' tall and 3' deep)

It has all my 35mm, 120, 4x5 and 8x10 film + many boxes of 8x10 paper and 11x14 film.
my land lord is still puzzled with the idea of keeping film in the fridge instead of food. My girlfriend is a photographer too so she is fine with the idea.

BTW many times i took a film out of the fridge and used right away without waiting for it to warm up and worked just fine.

photomc · Apr 18, 2004

Deniz, would be nice to do that, but here (Texas) Spring/Summer you could find the temp/humidity both at 90 so anything will get a little wet in a hurry unless allowed to reach room temp. - best luck I have had is to used zip lock storage bags and let them sweat, not film or paper.

From the comments so far, it seems that RC paper is pretty happy sitting on the self (as long as it is not exposed to extreme temp changes).

Can anyone comment on fiber? As stated at the beginning, not having a problem, but since I have some space in the garage, was giving some thought to an older or scratch/dent model on the cheap.

Deniz · Apr 18, 2004

Sorry i forgot to mention all the paper in my fridge is fibre..with only one box of kodak RC.

The other day one of my friends gave me 25 years old Agfa paper that was stored on a shelf in the garage and it worked flawlessly.

A common sense is "If you can survice, so can your film" So aslong as its normal conditions.. you will be fine...

and no the trunk of your car in a texas summer is not normal...

have fun

gareth harper · Apr 23, 2004

I read, I think, in Tim Ruman's book that Fiber can start to lose it's edge after 6 months at room temperature.
RC I suspect is more robust.
Having said that if I have a box of fiber that is well over 6 months old I'm gonna keep using it as required until I notice that it's going off.
Hey I wish I could buy in bulk and store accordingly but that's not an option for me and I'm not gonna lose sleep over it!

Deckled Edge · Apr 25, 2004

FWIW: I made two identical exposures today on 11x14 Polymax Fine Art FD. One from a box I bought on Tuesday, and one from a box that I have had for over a year. They were contact prints and look identical. I am "past dates" a little on the last box, and the former says, "Use before 4/05." I recently used a 14 year old sheet of Elite, Gr. II and it was toast.
Whatever "edge" my brand new PMFA has over the two-year old stuff, I cannot see. If stored in a darkroom whose temperature always stays between 55 and 75 F., I am sure that fiber paper will last several years before it goes bad.
I am putting the 14 year old Elite on E-bay as "pre-flashed." ;-)

glbeas · Apr 25, 2004

Deckled Edge said:
I am putting the 14 year old Elite on E-bay as "pre-flashed." ;-)

Nah, fix it, wash it dry it and put it up for $10 a sheet as "Special Alt Process Paper" :roll:

(using the Bury 'Em in Balony philosophy)

Ed Sukach · Apr 25, 2004

glbeas said:
Deckled Edge said:

I am putting the 14 year old Elite on E-bay as "pre-flashed." ;-)

Click to expand...

Nah, fix it, wash it dry it and put it up for $10 a sheet as "Special Alt Process Paper" :roll:

(using the Bury 'Em in Balony philosophy)

Nah! It wasn't "baloney"!!

Mark Layne · May 5, 2004

Last night I made a few prints on some Brovira which had been stored at room temperature for 32 years. The paper was fine with good contrast and what a beautiful colour. No fog

Mark Layne

Paper Storage

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