Storing exposed film

[wolf]

I just shot some negative stock a couple days ago, and was wondering if i should store the exposed film in the refrigerator until i send it out to be processed. I won't be able to send it out before i go out of town for Thanksgiving, so i was not sure if i should leave them on my shelf, or stash em in the cold box.

thanks!

josh

[ekoe]

Store in a consistently cool place. Avoid temperature fluctuations. Mostly, process as soon as possible because the image will degrade with time as it would with heat. I don't believe even freezing stops it.

[wolf]

they are in a room that is about 75 degrees right now, and i won't be able to send them in to get processed until Monday. Do you think i should put them in the refrigerator now, will the big change in temp mess the film up? should i just keep it on the shelf its on in the warmer room?

josh

[Will2]

No, that's fine. To have much of effect it would have to be warmer than that and over a much longer period of time.

There are plenty of documentary filmmakers that had to hold on to their film for months before processing, you'll be fine.

[ekoe]

Yeah, I'd say 75degrees is a little warm but it should be fine. If it's just til next week, the cumulative temperature and humidity changes into and out of the fridge would affect it more than the steady room temperature. I use a marble slab at a 50degree room temp.

[MIKI-814]

75 degrees Farenheit. At 75 degrees Celsius you would burn your film :lol:

[super-8-epiphany]

I just shot some negative stock a couple days ago, and was wondering if i should store the exposed film in the refrigerator until i send it out to be processed. I won't be able to send it out before i go out of town for Thanksgiving, so i was not sure if i should leave them on my shelf, or stash em in the cold box.
thanks!
josh

I keep my exposed film in a sealed ziplock at room temperature, and send it out ASAP to process. I only keep it long enough to get enough rolls to qualify for a volume roll discount.

I tried storing it in a tupperware in the freezer like my new sealed film- but was greeted with a nasty surprise the day after, when I checked the container:

Every cartridge was covered with a light film of moisture/condensation. See enclosed pic of what greeted me.

Learning as I go- my policy is store sealed unexposed film in freezer/container to protect it from foodstuffs moisture- exposed film processed asap, don't let it sit around. I figure it's better at room temp for a few days or weeks in shaded area, then processed- than sitting in frig covered with moisture indefinitely.

[MIKI-814]

Tupperwares are not necessarily moisture-proof, that's why you discovered your cartridges in that way when you opened it.

Putting the films into a ziplock, and not opening the bag again till the whole thing is well back to room temeprature (this means a couple of hours) should avoid such surprises.