Storing unexposed film in holders

numnutz · Feb 26, 2008

Hi when I go out on a photo expedition I usually load all my film holders up with film. If I only shoot 1 or 2 sheets I normally leave the unexposed film in the holders suitably labeled until the next time I go out, usually within 14 days.

I have not yet had any trouble doing this but a friend warned me that maybe it would be better to return the unexposed film to the box.

At present I am only using one type of film.

Thanks in advance for your comments

nn

Uhner · Feb 26, 2008

I leave unexposed film in my dark slides for similar time periods on occasion, and I see no reason for not doing this. Did your friend give you any reason for returning the film to the box?

I think that moving sheets of film around sounds like a potential recipe for dust problems.

DaveOttawa · Feb 26, 2008

numnutz said:
...a friend warned me that maybe it would be better to return the unexposed film to the box.
nn

This friend says don't worry about it! (based on experience the less you habdle the film the less likely it is to get scratched or dusty).

JBrunner · Feb 26, 2008

If you keep the holders in a clean, temperature controlled place there is no problem. 14 days doesn't amount to squat for modern film unless it's hot.

sly · Feb 26, 2008

One thing I've learned, when leaving film in the holders for any length of time, is to keep them in a dim/dark place (inside camera bag is fine). My holders are second hand and I was occcaisionally getting fogging in one or two corners. At first I thought I had holders with leaks, but then it recurred with other holders that had not caused fogging before. I figured out eventually that the problem occurred when I left holders out on a tabletop for a few days. It was always the top holder that leaked. Maybe newer holders won't do this, but it doesn't hurt to be cautious.

Don12x20 · Feb 26, 2008

An example where storage longer than 14 days in holders made a difference for me...

Velvia 50 in 8x10 had a color shift when stored for several months compared with the same batch that was opened, but stored in the package. One could argue that the only difference was that the emulsion in holder was exposed to the atmosphere (although a small volume) but not the film in the box (which had other film surfaces adjacent and only the edge exposed.)

Film in holders, and opened film in opened foil/paper packet in closed box to seal out light were all stored in the same cabinet for around 90-120 days...

I have noticed NO difference in similarly stored B&W emulsions (TMX, TMY, FP4, TRIX, XX(yeah, wish I could get more of this...))

YMMV

Reinhold · Feb 27, 2008

I suspect that the age of the film may be a factor.

I had some HP5 that was dated 1999 or 2000 (don't know for sure) in my freezer. Early last year I loaded up a bunch of 8x20 holders and shot most of them within a few weeks. About 6 months later, I shot the rest, and noticed significant fog.

I store loaded holders in my basement darkroom, so temperatures are quite stable at about 68F.

If I take the film directly from the freezer (after thawing) and shoot it within a few weeks, everything is ok. I tend to agree that film is less prone to "aging" if it's kept in a bundle where the emulsion is isolated by contact with neighboring sheets. Ever notice that really old film fogs first around the edges? Wonder why...

Reinhold

www.classicBWohoto.com

DannL · Feb 27, 2008

I preload all my film holders and plate holders. I maintain them that way. Some film I use is 40 years old. What is a couple extra weeks in a holder? Nada.

PhotoJim · Feb 27, 2008

Perhaps I shouldn't, but I put all of my loaded holders into heavy freezer ziploc bags and freeze them. I haven't noticed any issues with damage to the film, and the emulsion is preserved as well as my film in boxes.

PHOTOTONE · Mar 2, 2008

I don't see any difference in keeping film loaded in holders in a box or darkish space in your living environment, as opposed to keeping the film in a opened box of film in the same environment. Once the box of film is opened and (if it has one) the interior foil pack is opened, the film is exposed to the atmosphere you live in. If a film holder is light-tight, it is light tight, should be no gray area there. For longest term storage keep film in unopened factory packaging.

Storing unexposed film in holders

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