What is the best way to store black and white film. I've heard that its in the fridge?

Answer 1

I'm not sure where the idea come from that film shouldn't be stored in the freezer.

Film degrades over time in two ways-sensitivity is lost due to changes in the silver halides, and base fog increases due to exposure to background radiation.

We can't stop cosmic radiation unless we store our film in a salt mine like Kodak does. We can, however, stop the degradation of the silver halide crystals by storing the film at a lower temperature(conversely, storing at elevated temperatures increases this rate of degradation).

I won't go into the chemistry of why, but every ten degree farenheit decrease in temperature results in a decrease in the rate of degradation by the power of two.

What this means is that storing film in the refrigerator(25 degrees or so below room temperature) results in a dramatic decrease in the rate of degradation.

Storing film in the freezer, a good 10-15 degrees cooler than the refrigerator, all but stops age related degradation.

In other words, storing film in the freezer allows the longest possible shelf life of any storage medium available to consumers.

Film does not freeze. As it's essentially a solid already, putting it in a 30 degree freezer just means that it's 30 degree film which otherwise is no different from film at room temperature.

If it were true that film could not be frozen, how could film cameras be used at the top of Mount Everest at 40 degrees below zero-well below anything possible in a normal home freezer?

It is imperative that film be allowed to return to room temperature before being removed from its sealed package. This is to prevent the formation of condensation which can cause problems.

Otherwise, I'd suggest storing your film in a refrigerator at minimum. All of my valuable film, as well as anything intended for long-term storage, goes into the freezer. I do, as a general rule, keep film that I intend to use in a week or two in the refrigerator.

Answer 2

Yes.

When you buy professional film, it is kept in the fridge as it's made to used right away. Consumer film is more like buying green bananas. You buy green ones because they will be sitting around for awhile before you use them. That's not to say you can't use consumer film right away, but it's designed to be abused - with stand more unstable conditions.

I'd highly recommend you store film in the fridge (never the freezer). It will make your film last way past the expiration date, except for professional film which is expected to be stored in the fridge.

When you are ready to use it, you should let it get to room temperature before using. However I've used film directly from the fridge without noticing any real problems. Heck if you are shooting outside in the winter, the film will be cold anyway.

Answer 3

All film should be stored in the fridge.

Its okay to freeze film. Let it thaw in the fridge and then sit it out before using.

Answer 4

You can keep it in the fridge and even the freezer as it slows the aging of the film. If kept in the freezer you must let it thaw before using.

Answer 5

Yes ... in the fridge or freezer. If you store it in the freezer you do have to let it thaw. Color film does well in the fridge or freezer too ... it prevents color shift.

Answer 6

Fridge for putting the foods not for the films,the best way was put them in the dry cabinet,hope that it won't exposed to the sunlight or heat.

Answer 7

below 4 degrees celcius, remove 2 hours before shooting to aviod fogs, i keep in my pocket to warm them up a bit

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Answer 8

Yup, in the refrigerator but NOT the freezer.

Answer 9

Yes, in the a cool place, not to humid, not below freezing.