Re-freezing film

KPT · Oct 17, 2008

I thawed a box of Efke 4x5 sheets and want to re-freeze half of it but I'm concerned about moisture-condensation on the emulsion when it goes back to the freezer. Efke unlike Kodak sheets doesn't come in separate sealed packs within the box so im worried about splitting the stack and re-wrapping and re-freezing. Would this be ok or will i possibly ruin the film?

Thanks!

fschifano · Oct 17, 2008

Before you do that, consider just how long you plan to store the unused film. It doesn't go bad overnight, and can last quite some time without refrigeration. If you'll use it up in 6 months to a year, don't even bother 'cause it will be fine. If you're that worried about condensation and ice crystals, seal it up in an vacuum bag to insure that none will form inside.

KPT · Oct 17, 2008

fschifano said:
Before you do that, consider just how long you plan to store the unused film. It doesn't go bad overnight, and can last quite some time without refrigeration. If you'll use it up in 6 months to a year, don't even bother 'cause it will be fine. If you're that worried about condensation and ice crystals, seal it up in an vacuum bag to insure that none will form inside.

Thanks for responding. I mainly shoot 35mm and medium format and i dont want to waste my 4x5 sheets because i rarely take my 4x5 out. My last box of Tmx sheets took me 8 months to go through half of a box but luckily Tmx is divided into separate sealed packs so i froze the remainder. I will use a vacuum bag as you suggested. Thank you very much for your advice.

nickandre · Oct 17, 2008

When i'm worried like that and its not gonna be a year I just stick it in the fridge.

Konical · Oct 17, 2008

Good Evening, KPT,

I agree with the responses above.

Consider also the conditions in which the film exists prior to being refrozen. I don't know your location, but in much of the northern hemisphere we are now (unfortunately!) entering heating season. That means that most interiors will tend to have low humidity levels. In those conditions, I'd just follow Frank's advice and put the film in a sealed plastic bag before tossing it into the freezer. Going from a high heat/high humidity environment to a freezer might cause a condensation problem, and I'd be a bit more cautious in those circumstances.

Konical

KPT · Oct 17, 2008

tiberiustibz said:
When i'm worried like that and its not gonna be a year I just stick it in the fridge.

Thank you for you reply!

dbonamo · Oct 17, 2008

On the same subject of re-freezing, I purchased some dated film that the seller said was frozen, this was 35mm and 120mm still sealed in it factory wrapping or box. It probably had 7-8 days transit before it reached me, I place it back in the freezer in plastic bags, not vacuum packed but the factory wrappings were never open. Should this be oK?

Thanks

Konical · Oct 17, 2008

Good Evening, dbonamo,

Yes.

Konical

KPT · Oct 17, 2008

Konical said:
Good Evening, KPT,

I agree with the responses above.

Consider also the conditions in which the film exists prior to being refrozen. I don't know your location, but in much of the northern hemisphere we are now (unfortunately!) entering heating season. That means that most interiors will tend to have low humidity levels. In those conditions, I'd just follow Frank's advice and put the film in a sealed plastic bag before tossing it into the freezer. Going from a high heat/high humidity environment to a freezer might cause a condensation problem, and I'd be a bit more cautious in those circumstances.

Konical

Konical, Thank you for replying. The film is in a cool and dry location so i think it will be ok to re-wrap it and re-freeze it. Thanks again for your advice!

AutumnJazz · Oct 17, 2008

There is always water vapour. Whether it will condense or form crystals, I canno say.

I think ZipLock or someone has made a zip-top bag where you can remove all the air, and thus water vapour.

eli griggs · Oct 17, 2008

I bought one of the handheld ziplock pumps and have not been overly impressed with its performance, nor the bags it uses. You can put your film in a regular ziplock bag, 'zip' it up except for a opening large enough for a common straw or bit of vinyl tubing to poke out of it and suck the air out just as well, without wasting money on the tool. Just don't forget to seal the bag.

Cheers

Wayne · Oct 17, 2008

Any old pothead can show you how to suck all the air out of the almost-closed corner of a ziplock.

Wayne

Paul Verizzo · Oct 18, 2008

Condensation occurs on the thawing, not the freezing. I think we all know that, but some of the wording in the thread suggests otherwise.

I've never seen condensate issues with thawed film. Condensation will take place on the outer packaging, not the roll or sheet inside.

Re-freezing film

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