BetterPhoto Q&A
Category: New Answers

Photography Question 

BetterPhoto Member
 

Question about storing film


I normally store my slide film in my air-conditioned condo at around 72 degrees and the film seems to stay nice and fresh.
Recently, my air-conditioner broke and the temp inside my condo climbed to the low to mid 80's. This lasted for a few weeks before the air conditioner was replaced. I had several dozen rolls of Fuji Velvia slide film tucked away in a closet that I forgot about. The film is rather costly and I'm hoping it's not ruined. I'm leaving on vacation in 2 days and I haven't had a chance to test the film. Exactly how crucial is the storage temperature and what exactly can happen to the film if it's stored at high temperatures? Is there a chance that the film is still good? If anyone has had experience with this, please let me know. Thanks! Robyn


To love this question, log in above
July 20, 2005

 

David A. Bliss
  I can't imagine that mid 80s hurt your film. I have had Velvia on road trips in the upper 90s (I kept it out of the sun, but not in a cooler) that was fine.

Please, though, if someone disagrees, I would hate to tell you that your film is fine and your pictures don't turn out :-O.


To love this comment, log in above
July 20, 2005

 

Bob Cammarata
  It should be OK.
I've had rolls of Provia in my back-pack at room temperature for several weeks and they processed fine.
You have one day to test a roll to be sure.
You can shoot one roll and get it processed at a one-hour E-6 lab and see if it's OK to use for your trip.


To love this comment, log in above
July 20, 2005

 

John P. Sandstedt
  When film is manufactured and sent to a reseller, it generally can be considered on the leading edge of its life cycle. Film identified at "pro" film is stored at a controlled temperature [about45-50 degrees F.] The rest is placed on the various storage racks at the resellers place of business; sometime these racks are in heated or unheated areas. You should definitely check the expiration date on the film box.

In general, the serviceability of the film will be affected more by conditions in the resellers storage vault than in yours.

I buy my film in lots of $100 or more; I put in the freezer in my garage. To some degree, this affords almost an unlimited shelf life [I still watch out and follow the kind of testing Bob has described.]

As to shelf life, at least for B&W, I recently [2004] shot a roll of Plus-X that had an expiration date of 1993 and had no problems. That is, the results were more than acceptable. Without question, I may have been very lucky.

When you're worrying about film storage the most important concerns would occur when the film is in your car, that is baking in the hot sun of a parking lot, for example. In such case, you might see some discernable impact.


To love this comment, log in above
July 26, 2005

 

Michael H. Cothran
  Fuji Velvia is classified as a "professional" film rather than an "amateur" film. What this means to the consumer is that pro films comes "ripe" from the factory, ready to shoot. Much like a yellow banana - ready to be eaten the day you buy it.
If you do not intend to use this film immediately, it should be stored at a temperature no higher than 55 degrees. This means designating a place in your refrigerator until ready to use.

"Amateur" film, on the other hand, comes "green" from the factory, and needs time to ripen a bit before it is used. With amateur film, manufacturers take into consideration that the film may sit on a retail shelf for several weeks or months before it is purchased, and then it may sit in the user's camera for long periods of time, before all the frames are exposed.

It is well advised for you to begin storing your pro film in the refrigerator. This was much more critical in days gone by than it is today, but nonetheless, your film will last much longer than the expiration date if you keep it cold until ready to use.

Michael H. Cothran
www.mhcphoto.net


To love this comment, log in above
July 26, 2005

 
Log in to respond or ask your own question.