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Temp setting of the Freezer

Jedidiah Smith

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Feb 22, 2006
Messages
441
Location
Ventura, CA
Format
35mm
I just read the recent thread here about old film in the freezer.
This got me to thinking: All other things being equal, would it matter what setting the freezer was at? I'm just setting up another darkroom, and will have a small freezer for the film/paper in it as well. I've never dedicated a freezer strictly to my darkroom before. It was always in the "wife's freezer"

So...this thing's got setting 1 to 6, i.e. warmest to coldest. It does not have auto-defrost capability - just freeze. Would it help the longevity of the film if I had it on the coldest setting, or is the difference so minute as not to matter in the long run?

Thanks,
Jed
 
The colder the better, within reason, although colder temperatures mean longer warmup times.

My chest freezer in the basement is set to -17 C (about 0 F). My refrigerator freezer upstairs is set to about -2 C (28 F).

I can't comment on how much longer your film will last with a colder freezer, but I know that storage is improved. Kodak (and others) do recommend -17 C-ish for long-term storage, if I remember my readings correctly.
 
What they said, around 0 F/ -17 C should be good, within reason.

Of course if you keep it at -40 it does not matter whether it is C or F!

Steve
 
bobwysiwyg said:
I'm assuming this is used for food? Isn't the recommended temp. zero degrees F or less?
Click to expand...

Deep/chest freezers, yes, but refrigerator freezers are usually just below freezing. I doubt many can get to -17 C even if you wanted them to.
 
Thanks guys, especially Jim for looking up the numbers for me. This is a small freezer, but it's the "deep freeze" type, where it is a standalone freezer, no refrigerator part. It seems to get pretty cold, I have it on the middle setting right now as a test, but I might get a thermometer and play with the 1 - 6 settings and see what she can crank to.
I was more curious if the temp made any long term difference, or if there was a standard temp. from the film manufacturers to use.
Jed
 
As cold as you can get it - which in your case means "6".

I use this one and set the temperature control to coldest.
 
PhotoJim said:
Deep/chest freezers, yes, but refrigerator freezers are usually just below freezing. I doubt many can get to -17 C even if you wanted them to.
Click to expand...

I guess I have to disagree. The zero degree (F) is for food safety reasons. Our freezer (top of fridge) maintains it nicely.
 
I keep my freezer set at the "recommended setting" (3), and it maintains the temperature at -10 degrees F!
 
Guys, there is nothing "magical" about 0 degrees F

It’s just a nice round number that is easy to remember

It doesn’t sound as good in metric at -17.8C

The colder it is, the more slowly emulsion deteriorates

Martin
 
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