Super new negative storage

[Imfreshwater]

Hey there! I had some questions about storing mainly b&w ( maybe some color as well) negatives in my home under regular conditions and if it's ok to store them at around 72-75f at the highest and around 50-55% humidity ? I know it isn't the ideal storage conditions but wondering if it's a huge deal for longevity ? I plan to put them in those print file archival sleeves and inside an archival ring binder in an archival box (lol) in the closet for storage ( I can toss a few dessciant packs in the closet to keep the humidity lower.

Thanks for any advice!

 

[Woolsocks]

Can you use a vacuum bag machine? No air, I image no humidity.

 

[webestang64]

All my negatives are in print file pages and file cabinets. I keep the cabinets in my office space. My AC is mostly set around 72-74 and humidity is maybe around 45-55%. Some have been that way since the early 80's and they are all fine.

 

[Thiophilos]

I don't take special measures with my negs. Well, they are in the proper sleeves or (mostly now to save space) stacked together. For me, it is impractical to store them cold at low humidity.

BW negs should last indefinitely but are susceptible to attack by microorganisms or little bugs that like to eat gelatin. It is possible that conditions are right for that at times. Not sure how to combat that. It hasn't affected many of my negs, I think. (Maybe it is time to have a look!)

You should really scan the negs. That gives an extra copy, and the files can easily be duplicated and distributed to others if needed. Keep the origs though. The files might get neglected or lost or deleted.

Silica packages (if fresh) can keep the contents of SEALED bags dry. They are useless if not in a sealed container. I don't know if it is advised to keep negatives at extremely dry conditions. It could make them brittle or cause the gelatin to reticulate. Or not. I don't know.

 

[Imfreshwater]

I don't take special measures with my negs. Well, they are in the proper sleeves or (mostly now to save space) stacked together. For me, it is impractical to store them cold at low humidity.

BW negs should last indefinitely but are susceptible to attack by microorganisms or little bugs that like to eat gelatin. It is possible that conditions are right for that at times. Not sure how to combat that. It hasn't affected many of my negs, I think. (Maybe it is time to have a look!)

You should really scan the negs. That gives an extra copy, and the files can easily be duplicated and distributed to others if needed. Keep the origs though. The files might get neglected or lost or deleted.

Silica packages (if fresh) can keep the contents of SEALED bags dry. They are useless if not in a sealed container. I don't know if it is advised to keep negatives at extremely dry conditions. It could make them brittle or cause the gelatin to reticulate. Or not. I don't know.

Awesome as long as you don't have any issues with it so far I'll store them that way and wont sweat it !

I for sure plan to scan them and back them up to multiple off-site places as well as ssd .

Thanks !

 

[Imfreshwater]

All my negatives are in print file pages and file cabinets. I keep the cabinets in my office space. My AC is mostly set around 72-74 and humidity is maybe around 45-55%. Some have been that way since the early 80's and they are all fine.

Aweosme so basically don't think about it too much since our storage conditions are about the same ? Are yours both b and white and color ? Any issues with the bugs thing as mentioned below?

Also silly question I'm starting out with a few of the toy cameras in the beginning Diana and debonair holga. Do you think they would be fine storing in similar conditions to the negatives same temp and humidity? Maybe put them into a plastic closed tub with some dessciant if need be ? Or fine at that humidity ?

 

[greybeard]

All of mine are in a metal box in the closet. Have been there for 20 years. I think the secret is to make sure they are totally rinsed and chemical free.

 

[RAZKY]

Hey there! I had some questions about storing mainly b&w ( maybe some color as well) negatives in my home under regular conditions and if it's ok to store them at around 72-75f at the highest and around 50-55% humidity ? I know it isn't the ideal storage conditions but wondering if it's a huge deal for longevity ? I plan to put them in those print file archival sleeves and inside an archival ring binder in an archival box (lol) in the closet for storage ( I can toss a few dessciant packs in the closet to keep the humidity lower.

Thanks for any advice!

I have black and white negatives and color slides stored under similar conditions more than 50 years, in Print File archival sleeves and archival boxes from Light Impressions - all are yet pristine. You have no cause to worry.

 

[Rickbb]

Had mine in standard glassine sleeves for up to half a century now, room temperature, shoe boxes in the closet, no issues. I've been cleaning and scanning them to get a portfolio curated before it's too late.

 

[webestang64]

Aweosme so basically don't think about it too much since our storage conditions are about the same ? Are yours both b and white and color ? Any issues with the bugs thing as mentioned below?

Also silly question I'm starting out with a few of the toy cameras in the beginning Diana and debonair holga. Do you think they would be fine storing in similar conditions to the negatives same temp and humidity? Maybe put them into a plastic closed tub with some dessciant if need be ? Or fine at that humidity ?

I have BW and color negatives and slides. Never ever had a bug problem or heard of that problem. The cameras should be fine. Most of my older collection of over 2000 cameras are just in cardboard bankers boxes.

 

[Imfreshwater]

You're all awesome appreciate it!

 

[Imfreshwater]

Had mine in standard glassine sleeves for up to half a century now, room temperature, shoe boxes in the closet, no issues. I've been cleaning and scanning them to get a portfolio curated before it's too late.

Awesome probably similar humidity too in the home ?

 

[Imfreshwater]

I have BW and color negatives and slides. Never ever had a bug problem or heard of that problem. The cameras should be fine. Most of my older collection of over 2000 cameras are just in cardboard bankers boxes.

Jeez that's a lot of cameras, I should come ask you when it's time to get a real 35mm camera to shoot with you probably have 6 of everything id buy lol

 

[webestang64]

Jeez that's a lot of cameras, I should come ask you when it's time to get a real 35mm camera to shoot with you probably have 6 of everything id buy lol

I've been collecting since the late 80's. And since I have worked in camera store/labs for 40 years I get all kinds of stuff for free. I also have a big collection of 8mm/16mm movie cameras and projectors.

 

[Imfreshwater]

I've been collecting since the late 80's. And since I have worked in camera store/labs for 40 years I get all kinds of stuff for free. I also have a big collection of 8mm/16mm movie cameras and projectors.

That's awesome got any Minolta mc 1.4 50mm kicking around lol?