Storing processed film wet

Arctic amateur · Aug 16, 2014

I usually get up way before my spouse on weekends. Enough time to process a film, but not to dry it. The shower stall is the only practical place to dry the film, and we've only got one. Is it possible to store the processed film in the paterson tank, in the final rinse or a bath of demineralized water, for a few hours before hanging to dry? I expect letting it dry on the reels and then trying to re-wet it would lead to problems both with film sticking to the reels and with drying spots. The question applies to both colour and BW film.

Bob Carnie · Aug 16, 2014

I saw a neat application where you can use plastic holders for your pressed clothes.. maybe someone here has a link

You can hang it anywhere.

cliveh · Aug 16, 2014

Arctic amateur said:
Is it possible to store the processed film in the paterson tank, in the final rinse or a bath of demineralized water, for a few hours before hanging to dry?

I would think this is fine and that is what I would do in your circumstances.

gone · Aug 16, 2014

If you flick/snap the film a few times like a whip when it comes out of the tank (I highly recommend using something like Photo-Flo) it will dry in a fraction of the time it normally takes. I was amazed at how quickly it dries, and never a water mark on it.

FrancoisM · Aug 16, 2014

What about using a salad spinner ?
Insert a wooden rod trough the loaded reel and put the ensemble sideways in the basket.
Spin it a bit and voilà

Francois.

Rick A · Aug 16, 2014

Arctic amateur said:
I usually get up way before my spouse on weekends. Enough time to process a film, but not to dry it. The shower stall is the only practical place to dry the film, and we've only got one. Is it possible to store the processed film in the paterson tank, in the final rinse or a bath of demineralized water, for a few hours before hanging to dry? I expect letting it dry on the reels and then trying to re-wet it would lead to problems both with film sticking to the reels and with drying spots. The question applies to both colour and BW film.

The simple answer here is yes, you can wait to hang the film. My suggestion, drain the final rinse and shake the excess liquid from the film while still on the reel, then return to the tank until time to hang. If you add about one capfull of 90% isopropyl alcohol to the final rinse your film will dry even faster.

markbarendt · Aug 16, 2014

Arctic amateur said:
I usually get up way before my spouse on weekends. Enough time to process a film, but not to dry it. The shower stall is the only practical place to dry the film, and we've only got one. Is it possible to store the processed film in the paterson tank, in the final rinse or a bath of demineralized water, for a few hours before hanging to dry? I expect letting it dry on the reels and then trying to re-wet it would lead to problems both with film sticking to the reels and with drying spots. The question applies to both colour and BW film.

i don't know where the limit is but water is "the universal solvent" and the emulsion is water soluble, sooner or later the emulsion is going to float off the base and disperse.

I did accidentally leave some paper in water overnight and did exactly that.

cliveh · Aug 16, 2014

markbarendt said:
i don't know where the limit is but water is "the universal solvent" and the emulsion is water soluble, sooner or later the emulsion is going to float off the base and disperse.

I did accidentally leave some paper in water overnight and did exactly that.

He is talking about a few hours and it will be fine.

bvy · Aug 16, 2014

I asked a similar question of PE a while back and he discouraged it.

GRHazelton · Aug 16, 2014

Rick A said:
The simple answer here is yes, you can wait to hang the film. My suggestion, drain the final rinse and shake the excess liquid from the film while still on the reel, then return to the tank until time to hang. If you add about one capfull of 90% isopropyl alcohol to the final rinse your film will dry even faster.

Just be sure that the isopropyl alcohol doesn't have any emollients or perfumes in it as rubbing alcohol usually does. Perhaps using denatured alcohol?

MattKing · Aug 16, 2014

This question is about both colour and black and white film.

WRT the colour film, you need to ignore all the advice above about adding alcohol etc. You need to use stabilizer or final rinse as the last bath.

There are a number of different solutions to drying film when the shower is unavailable. The plastic garment bag is a good one, as is a length of 4 - 6" plastic pipe.

Prof_Pixel · Aug 16, 2014

bvy said:
I asked a similar question of PE a while back and he discouraged it.

I'm with PE. I think leaving film in water for several hours is a bad idea.

trythis · Aug 16, 2014

How about one of those children collapsible play tubes. its a 18" diameter spring wrapped inside of a nylon tube. Hang from anywhere and collapses flat.

bobwysiwyg · Aug 16, 2014

momus said:
If you flick/snap the film a few times like a whip when it comes out of the tank (I highly recommend using something like Photo-Flo) it will dry in a fraction of the time it normally takes. I was amazed at how quickly it dries, and never a water mark on it.

Ditto. I know many recommend hanging in a shower, but really all you need is a "quiet " space to hang and dry. I process film in our basement laundry room and hang the film to dry from the dropped ceiling framework in the finished part of the basement. Never had an issue with dust. I let it dry over night and sleeve /store the next morning.

hdeyong · Aug 17, 2014

I agree. Find another place to hang it. What if you forget about it, and it sits in the reel like that for a day or two?

StoneNYC · Aug 17, 2014

I've run into this problem a few times, my solution was actually out of desperation, I just hung the film from the ceiling fan blades in my bedroom, and left a little drip towel underneath, it all seem to work out just fine and I was able to scan the film later on in the day. Just don't turn the fan ON!! Lol!

hoffy · Aug 17, 2014

If I batch film I tend to leave the early films sit in water for probably up to an hour before I hang. I have been doing that for a few years now and haven't seen any ill effects....yet. I would rather do this, then go backwards and forwards to where the films are drying (the main bathroom shower cubicle) and potentially stir up any dust.

Light Guru · Aug 17, 2014

Why don't you make a collapsable film drying cabinet from a clothing storage bag.
http://www.holdnstorage.com/honey_c...urce=froogle&gclid=CJXz07fTmcACFbFDMgod4mYAKg

If you wanted you could even attach a small fan to the top and put some vent holes in the bottom. This would make the film dry much faster.

Arctic amateur · Aug 17, 2014

hdeyong said:
I agree. Find another place to hang it.

There is no other suitable place. It's a small apartment with pets, not a mansion.

I've been thinking about making a drying cabinet. IKEA has a nylon-covered steel-frame wardrobe that might work, if I seal the bottom and add some fans and dust filters.

markbarendt · Aug 17, 2014

I don't see why you need a fan and filters, it would have a day to dry once protected, right?

That 4 or 6" diameter pipe with a hat on it would be fine for 1 or 2 rolls.

Bob Carnie · Aug 17, 2014

I must be on your ignore list see post 2 - thanks for the link

Light Guru said:
Why don't you make a collapsable film drying cabinet from a clothing storage bag.
http://www.holdnstorage.com/honey_c...urce=froogle&gclid=CJXz07fTmcACFbFDMgod4mYAKg

If you wanted you could even attach a small fan to the top and put some vent holes in the bottom. This would make the film dry much faster.

pdeeh · Aug 17, 2014

GRHazelton said:
Just be sure that the isopropyl alcohol doesn't have any emollients or perfumes in it as rubbing alcohol usually does. Perhaps using denatured alcohol?

I had a few problems even with 99.9% Isopropyl alcohol - no additives whatsoever- so I'd be careful what you add to final rinses apart from wetting agent. The symptom was "milky" emulsion once dried.

The recommendations in older books and journals is to use methyl alcohol or denatured alcohol (usually called methylated spirits in the UK, perhaps elsewhere) to aid fast drying. I tried household meths and it worked fine without the problems I'd had with Isopropanol. I'm not bothered about speeding up drying, but it can useful to know what does and doesn't work if required.

Arctic amateur · Aug 17, 2014

markbarendt said:
I don't see why you need a fan and filters, it would have a day to dry once protected, right?

That 4 or 6" diameter pipe with a hat on it would be fine for 1 or 2 rolls.

The filters and fans are of course not necessary, I don't have any in the shower stall But circulating the air will let the film dry much faster, and filters on the air intake should limit the risk of dust.

Patrick Robert James · Aug 17, 2014

When I need to get film to dry fast (b&w) I dunk it straight into 91% Isopropyl Alcohol. If you do this keep in mind that you can't add any type of heat to it or it can (most likely will) get milky.

hdeyong · Aug 17, 2014

The Ikea wardrobe sounds like a great idea. And, with the film in a safe place like that, it won't matter if it takes 24 hours to dry thoroughly. You could do without the fan and filters.

Storing processed film wet

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