Possibilities of fungal contamination?

[EASmithV]

I've read here that if you don't use stabilizer, your film will grow some fungus on it. Well, My older C41 is possibly a mixed bag of stabilized and not/improperly stabilized. (I used to do a final water wash... )

So, What are the chances that it will spread? If something starts to mold, will it spread to other negatives? I keep them in print file acid-free sleeves and in 1" binders stored at room temperature.

Also, where can I get some stabilizer for E6? My Arista 3 bath didn't come with any...

Also, why are all the Tetenal kits marked discontinued at B&H?

 

[kevs]

Hi EASmithv,

Fungi usually don't attack film unless it's stored in damp conditions; it would probably spread if it got a foothold though.

I have some E6 slides I developed in the late 1980s without stabiliser and keep them at room temperature and humidity; there's no fungus and no perceptible colour changes. My father's colour negatives from 1963 onwards haven't developed fungus - I don't know whether Gratispool (the company that processed them) used a stabiliser. I recently scanned some 1930s mono negs - no fungus.

YMMV though; store film in dry, cool conditions in proper file binders and your film will probably remain fungus-free.

I can't help you with the other questions, sorry.

Cheers,
kevs.