Freezer or fridge?

panocho · Feb 21, 2005

Here a pretty basic question: what's the proper place to store film, the freezer or just the fridge is enough?
I'm talking about both out-of-date film and already shot film (which for different reasons I cannot develop right after shooting, but still have to wait a while... strange things, I know!).
Of course, I think on normal kitchen refrigerators, not any special one! Which part should I use better to keep the film (so far, I have them in the fridge)?
thanks, you cool people!

voodoocat · Feb 21, 2005

I've always stored film in the fridge and never had any issues. I'd imagine the only time you would think about using a freezer is when you're storing film for use in a few years. Make sure you take the film out and let it thaw for an hour or so at room temperature.

Christie Photo · Feb 21, 2005

Pro films are meant to be stored in the fridge until use, and then processed within 24 hours. Consumer films can be thought of as "green" or "not ripe." They are designed with the idea they may spend months (or longer) in a camera.

I've heard of some folks who won't use film until it has been frozen. Hmm...

Rob · Feb 22, 2005

The fridge is best for storage, but do bear in mind that you shouldn't keep films in the fridge right up until you use them. This is for two reasons:

1) Condensation
2) Sprocket engagement and film breakage issues

Take them out at least one hour before use and get them to the same temperature as the camera and the environment.

Films should never ever be frozen as they are prone to breaking at very low temperatures. I've managed this in Russia before and it's very difficult to retrieve all the shards of shattered film from the inside of your camera.

Don't ever use over-date film - throw it away.

The difference between pro and normal film is usually only the portion of the big reel it is cut from. The pro is centre cut and therefore has a perfectly even coating of emulsion, whereas the normal and budget films are closer to the edge and may not be completely perfect. It still comes off the same big old reel though. A piece of acetate laced with emulsion does not "ripen".

Rob

spike000 · Feb 22, 2005

Fridge.

voodoocat · Feb 22, 2005

Don't ever use over-date film - throw it away.

That's bull****. Film stored in the fridge past the expiration date will be perfectly fine.

selmerdave · Feb 22, 2005

Rob,

Are you saying that you've had film that was once stored in the freezer shatter AFTER it had returned to room temperature for use in the camera?

Dave

panocho · Feb 22, 2005

Thanks for all your contributions!
To deepen a little on this...
do you really think it neccesary to throw away refrigerated out-of-date film!? In my completely amateur opinion I would go with voodoocat: no problem, use it! why not? is there something that could REALLY be noticed in the results?...
and, would you say that all this applies exactly the same to already shot film?

Rob · Feb 22, 2005

selmerdave said:
Are you saying that you've had film that was once stored in the freezer shatter AFTER it had returned to room temperature for use in the camera?

nope - it just shatters when it's cold, but I would think that it wouldn't be a good idea to freeze it anyway.

spike000 · Feb 22, 2005

voodoocat said:
That's bull****. Film stored in the fridge past the expiration date will be perfectly fine.

[sarcasm] NO NO NO NO.

Film degrades with time - particularly when exposed but also beforehand.

This is why all professional film advises developing immediately.

Also why older print colour film looks magenta.

Why not keep it in your oven and dip it in paint thinner as well - sure that would do no harm to it!!!!!!!! (sarcasm)

If you buy out of date film your results will not be as good as the emulsion is not as designed and the risk of the film being abused (see above) is greater.

If you want to save money find it elsewhere. Your camera is merely a lightbox - what records the information is far more important.

Spike

Jovian · Feb 22, 2005

The rare times that I shoot film anymore, it's usually in a Holga, or black and white, artistic stuff. Honestly, I buy almost all expired film now. The camera store keeps it refrigerated, and I keep it refrigerated, and I have never had a problem with it. As long as we aren't talking years after expiration... it's not an issue if refrigerated, the cold slows down the chemical reaction enough to keep the film good, be it pro film, or consumer film. Try it...you might be pleasently suprised. It's cheaper too....

Christie Photo · Feb 23, 2005

robhesketh said:
The difference between pro and normal film is usually only the portion of the big reel it is cut from. The pro is centre cut and therefore has a perfectly even coating of emulsion, whereas the normal and budget films are closer to the edge and may not be completely perfect. It still comes off the same big old reel though. A piece of acetate laced with emulsion does not "ripen".

Rob

I'm a Kodak user... LOVE the yellow boxes. Kodak pro film and ameture films are two different products, and not from the same reel. Of course, film doesn't acutally "ripen," but pro films can be "thought of" as ripe. They are brought to their optimum performance for color, and then refrigerated to slow to process until use. I do advise allowing film to return to room temperature before opening the package.

Rob · Feb 24, 2005

Christie - same factory, same reel, same film. Edge/Centre/Name are the only difference between KodaChrome 400 and EliteChrome 400. I have several friends recently made redundant from the Kodak Wimbledon factory - it all comes off the same line. That doesn't make it the same quality, but the point is there.

There is no difference in the money spent researching the technology, or the distribution network, or in fact any opportunity for ripening at any stage when comparing films made by the same manufacturer at the same sensitivity. The difference is in the uniformity of the molecular density of the emulsion on the film.

Christie Photo · Feb 24, 2005

robhesketh said:
...only difference between KodaChrome 400 and EliteChrome 400.

Ahhhh... is this where the problem lies? I'm not familiar with those names. Are either one of them considered KODAK EKTACHROME 400X Professional Film (EPL)? And to be honest, I've never shot 400 speed chrome... a bunch of 100, but not 400. I once used "Elite" film in a pinch. I didn't order in time and had to pick some up at the drug store.

Could it be we are talking about totally different animals? Is it just different packaging?

I'll look further on this end. Thanks, Rob.

-Pete Christie

Christie Photo · Feb 24, 2005

OK... I found the films on Kodak's US web site. (Or, at least close... I didn't see the 400 Elite.) They're both in the CONSUMER photography area.
http://www.kodak.com/eknec/PageQuerier.jhtml?pq-path=2/3/9/543/1095&pq-locale=en_US

It's interesting that the Kodachrome is a K-14 process and the Elitechrome is E-6. Yet your guys tell you it's the same emulsion. Hmmmm.