When to refridgerate?

Markster · Jan 14, 2011

I understand the concept of refridgerating film to keep it usable longer. After what interval would you consider doing this for a higher quality 100-speed color negative film? I have a roll just purchased (Ektar 100) that won't be used until the weekend of the 29th give or take.

Does refridgeration only help if you're going to be stockpiling for years? Or is it also for short-term?

Also, would you dare use the kitchen refridgerator? What about odor cross-contamination (food on the film, film chemicals on the food)?

JLP · Jan 14, 2011

Film is far more durable than the comon belief, it does not matter what type of film (B&W & Color) If the expiration date is in the future and not in the past the film will be good period.
Freezing film or keeping it cool in the fridge is for long term storage, there is no need to put film in the fridge or freezer if you know you are going to use it in the next 6 month or within the expiration date.

Ottrdaemmerung · Jan 14, 2011

From what I've read about others' refrigerating habits, it's more important to keep "professional" film cold than mass-market consumer film (Ektar vs. Kodak Gold/Max, for example), since the latter is manufactured more toward long-term storage (and generally lower quality) than the former. Also, it's more important when you think you'll be keeping film past its expiration date; the cold helps keep the chemical changes that result in color shifts from happening, especially with slide film.

Personally I've seen Ektar stored in my local camera shop at room temperature and only slide films and bricks of print negative films stored in their fridge. I'd say you shouldn't have to worry about your roll of Ektar, but I have a spare fridge in my garage I specifically use for film, regardless of kind or age.

Most food and film comes wrapped or boxed, so cross-contamination shouldn't realistically be a concern. But if you want, put your film in a plastic bag or container. Just remove your film and allow it to come back up to room temperature before using.

Markster · Jan 14, 2011

Thanks JLP, Ottr!

michaelbsc · Jan 14, 2011

JLP said:
Film is far more durable than the comon belief, it does not matter what type of film (B&W & Color) If the expiration date is in the future and not in the past the film will be good period.

Freezing film or keeping it cool in the fridge is for long term storage, there is no need to put film in the fridge or freezer if you know you are going to use it in the next 6 month or within the expiration date.

Well, leaving it in the car at 120 degrees all summer hurts if it is color.

Pro Film and consumer film degrade by the same mechanism. But Pro film is spec\'d to deliver a specific color balance. To keep that from degrading people freeze the film.

Unless you are doing a magazine shoot or plan to keep it years past the expiration date don\'t fret. If you ARE doing a magazine shoot you would have probably learned this already. If you have a truck load that will go for the next several years then cold store it.

For one or two rolls, have a good time and don\'t worry.

JLP · Jan 14, 2011

Well, leaving it in the car at 120 degrees all summer hurts if it is color.

Yes, of course you are right Mike.
I did not think that any of the APUG Forum members would be coming from that far behind.
There's always the extremes and sure some like to leave the camera in the sun for hours and for those i can only say buy a digital camera, that is the future for you.

michaelbsc · Jan 14, 2011

JLP said:
Well, leaving it in the car at 120 degrees all summer hurts if it is color.

Click to expand...

Yes, of course you are right Mike.

I did not think that any of the APUG Forum members would be coming from that far behind.

There\'s always the extremes and sure some like to leave the camera in the sun for hours and for those i can only say buy a digital camera, that is the future for you.

You should see the back of my car!

I work out of the car, and I\'m sure that somewhere in the rubble there must be some WWII relics. Finding a roll of film is nothing. There are probably 3 rolls hiding in there right now.

msa · Jan 14, 2011

I refrigerate anything that I'm not likely to shoot anytime soon.

Anything that is going to be used in the next 2-3 weeks can stay out. Usually, I take whatever I'm currently working with out of the fridge and leave it out, even if it might be a couple of weeks before use.

Color film is more sensitive than B&W. Consumer color print films (like the Gold 200 I picked up the other day) stay out, though, at least as long as they are new and will be used in the next few months. (They are designed for room temperature storage.)

Sirius Glass · Jan 15, 2011

Unless I am going to shoot the film within days, I store all the film in the freezer. If the factory packaging has been opened, then I put it in the refrigerator. All my film has time to equilibrate with the ambient temperature before loading.

mikecnichols · Jan 15, 2011

Yeah, all my paper and films are in the fridge or freezer. I actually was just looking down there and found 2 rolls of Tmax 400 and a roll of IR film (12/07). Looks like I'm gonna shoot some black & white soon!

dangeresque · Jan 16, 2011

Almost everything lives in the fridge at 5 °C. HIE and EIR are frozen (-15 °C) and I keep two rolls of Tri-X at room temperature. Warm up overnight. Never had a problem.

When to refridgerate?

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