Receiving 900' of Vision3 500T, best way to store it?

rpavich · Jul 10, 2016

I found a good deal on two 400' rolls and one 100' roll of Kodak Vision3 500T color film and want to make sure that I store it in the best way possible.

It's coming in metal containers on reels and I'm wondering if just putting them in the fridge flat is fine or if some other means of sealing is better or what.

I'm also wondering if separating out 100' lengths might be a better idea than repeatedly taking a 400' roll in and out of the fridge; cooling and thawing over and over.

I'm planning on separating out 100' in a bulk film loader and that will stay out of the fridge but beyond that, I could use some good ideas.

rpavich · Jul 11, 2016

Cruzingoose said:
I respool from 1000' stock enough to fill the bulk loader then rewrap and back to the fridge. But if you have extra black film bags, would'nt hurt to break down the spool into bite size rolls. Love 500T, shoot at 100-64,000 on the same roll. Great for night and time exposures.

I'm limited on dark bags, I only have a couple. Would it hurt anything to leave at least one roll in the fridge in the original metal reel-can?

How much do you vary the processing time when you push?

StoneNYC · Jul 11, 2016

So long as your home isn't filled with humidity you should be fine to put it back in the fridge after spooling what you can in a bulk loader.

Look for an Alden200 which is a bulk loader that takes 200 feet instead of the normal 100.

Make sure you follow this process for best results.

Bag film reel in food safe zip lock, close zipper almost all the way leaving a small hole, pinch gap to make it open a bit and suck out air through gap with your mouth then seal the rest.

Take that bag and put it in its original light resistant black bag, then put that in the can (metal container) then take electoral tape or gaffers tape if you have it, and seal around the outside where the two pieces of metal of the can come together.

Place in fridge for 24 hours, then move to freezer.

When you need more, pre-plan. Move can from freezer to fridge and leave for 48 hours, then move from fridge to ambient air and leave for another 24 hours.

This allows a slower shift, the large core of film will change temp and physical size slightly as well as any possible moisture that may have crystallized and allows it to melt without pulling at the emulsion from uneven spots of different temperatures.

Following this procedure will help mitigate any condensation and temp shift issues.

Nothing is guaranteed but this helps a lot.

Hope that helps.

~Stone

rpavich · Jul 11, 2016

StoneNYC said:
So long as your home isn't filled with humidity you should be fine to put it back in the fridge after spooling what you can in a bulk loader.

Look for an Alden200 which is a bulk loader that takes 200 feet instead of the normal 100.

Make sure you follow this process for best results.

Bag film reel in food safe zip lock, close zipper almost all the way leaving a small hole, pinch gap to make it open a bit and suck out air through gap with your mouth then seal the rest.

Take that bag and put it in its original light resistant black bag, then put that in the can (metal container) then take electoral tape or gaffers tape if you have it, and seal around the outside where the two pieces of metal of the can come together.

Place in fridge for 24 hours, then move to freezer.

When you need more, pre-plan. Move can from freezer to fridge and leave for 48 hours, then move from fridge to ambient air and leave for another 24 hours.

This allows a slower shift, the large core of film will change temp and physical size slightly as well as any possible moisture that may have crystallized and allows it to melt without pulling at the emulsion from uneven spots of different temperatures.

Following this procedure will help mitigate any condensation and temp shift issues.

Nothing is guaranteed but this helps a lot.

Hope that helps.

~Stone

Thanks very much!

rpavich · Jul 13, 2016

Cruzingoose said:
[QUOTE="]

How much do you vary the processing time when you push?

No push rerequired. With standard C-41 process just do a 2 minute presoak using 100 F water, my water is alkaline from the tap so you may need a pinch of Sodium Sulfite to help loosen the remjet. Then normal process. The remjet will be completely removed in the final wash. C-41 offers punchy color (probably not 100% accurate but very nice) while RA4 chemistry gives soft muted color. Im still exerimenting and pleased with all my results sofar.[/QUOTE]
Sounds great, thanks! I'm very anxious to try this stuff; should be here tomorrow.

Now if only Double-x were this cheap to shoot

frobozz · Jul 14, 2016

rpavich said:
I found a good deal on two 400' rolls and one 100' roll of Kodak Vision3 500T color film and want to make sure that I store it in the best way possible.

It's coming in metal containers on reels and I'm wondering if just putting them in the fridge flat is fine or if some other means of sealing is better or what.

You sure it's coming on reels? That would be highly unusual, unless someone has moved it from cores to reels for you (but then it would no longer fit in the original cans.) Normally this stuff comes on 2" plastic cores, which requires some thought and planning before cutting down into 100' lengths, so that it doesn't go "sproing" on you in the dark and leave you with a slithering heap of film on the floor...

Duncan

rpavich · Jul 14, 2016

frobozz said:
You sure it's coming on reels? That would be highly unusual, unless someone has moved it from cores to reels for you (but then it would no longer fit in the original cans.) Normally this stuff comes on 2" plastic cores, which requires some thought and planning before cutting down into 100' lengths, so that it doesn't go "sproing" on you in the dark and leave you with a slithering heap of film on the floor...

Duncan

I guess I thought that because it was in reel cans but no, it's just on cores. I used my little dark tent and took off one roll's worth just to shoot it and make sure it's ok.

frobozz · Jul 14, 2016

rpavich said:
I guess I thought that because it was in reel cans but no, it's just on cores. I used my little dark tent and took off one roll's worth just to shoot it and make sure it's ok.

Just make sure to support the film at all times - hold it completely upright, or have it flat sideways on a hard surface, and be very careful when transitioning between the two. The "correct" method is to use split reels (that can be assembled around the core and film) and rewinds, but lots of people just do it on a flat smooth clean surface with one or two nails pounded into it to act as axles for the core(s).

Duncan

rpavich · Jul 14, 2016

frobozz said:
Just make sure to support the film at all times - hold it completely upright, or have it flat sideways on a hard surface, and be very careful when transitioning between the two. The "correct" method is to use split reels (that can be assembled around the core and film) and rewinds, but lots of people just do it on a flat smooth clean surface with one or two nails pounded into it to act as axles for the core(s).

Duncan

Thanks, I was thinking about rigging something like that.

Receiving 900' of Vision3 500T, best way to store it?

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