Freezer, refridgerator or closet?

[kshapero]

Where do you keep your film before using it?

[JeffGreene]

I keep the current week's rolls in the refrigerator along with the filled reloader and the non-current bulk rolls in the freezer.

[kully]

I bought a cheap freezer as someone was leaving the country.

It's curse I tell you, I have 1460 rolls worth of 135/120 film in there now. I only shoot 20-25 rolls per month...

[Rob-F]

I voted for freezer, but I keep some in the freezer and some in the refrigerator. Color film goes in the freezer, as does fast black & white. Slower black & white stays in the refrigerator section. If I know in advance that I will be using some of the film from the freezer, I move it to the refrigerator section a day or two in advance; and from the fridge to cabinet or camera bag a few hours before using it. I keep a roll or two of black & white in the cabinet to have some immediately available.

If I have to use some film from the freezer on short notice, I put it in my pants pocket for an hour before using it. That will warm it enough--or at least I have never had a problem doing this. The main issue with opening it right out of the freezer or fridge is that moisture might condense on it. So I keep the canister shut until it has warmed, before opening.

[FallisPhoto]

You need to add a selection to your poll: "All of the above." I have some in the freezer, some in the refrigerator and some in a bag in my closet.

[drewbarb]

I'm all over the place. The majority of my film is kept in the freezer for long term storage. There's also a fridge full of film and paper (and beer) outside my darkroom, and various rolls stashed in camera bags and pockets. When ever I buy film, I buy more than I think I'll need for a given project or period of time, and put more in the freezer. The hardest part is rotating old stuff out to be shot and new film into the freezer for safe-keeping; I have a bad habit of letting older film sit and shooting newer stuff.

[kshapero]

Lets modify the question: Where do you keep most of your film? I am working down 2 cubes of Ilford XP-2 Super. That lives in the freezer, everything else is in an air conditioned closet.

[navilluspm]

In the summer I keep it in freezer, in the winter I keep it in the attic or the garage.

[SolaresLarrave]

Color and fast B&W go to the freezer. The rest (B&W mostly, and color C-41) go in my cool closet. I clicked freezer, though, because that's where the bulk of my inventory is right now... about 60 rolls of Provia ISO 400, among other things. I'm a happy guy¡ :)

[nikon_sam]

Some in the frige and some in the camera closet...color film that will be use quickly will also go in the closet...

[Photon42]

Just don't have any space left in the freezer. Photog died on hunger don't take many pictures :eek: Would do otherwise.

Ivo

[raid]

I keep the current week's rolls in the refrigerator along with the filled reloader and the non-current bulk rolls in the freezer.

Hey; you stole my reply!

[oscroft]

I've never got much more than about 50 rolls at any one time, and I keep it in the fridge.

[cosmonot]

Bulk rolls in the freezer, loaded cassettes in the fridge, and a whole lot of stuff in camera bags/messenger bags/backpacks/jacket pockets. Once it's out of the fridge, I don't put it back.

[Al Patterson]

I said just about anywhere, as I have short-dated and expired film in the fridge, newer film in my camera bag in the closet, and at least one roll in a camera bag in my car. Trunk, boot, whatever you call it...

[gb hill]

I have some in drawers. Some in the closet. Some in my camera bags, & some in a freezer bag in the fridge. I buy alot of expired film that sits in a film bin at room temp. Some film is dated 2001. I have shot that stuff knowing full well it's never been in a fridge with know problem at all.

[Pherdinand]

i keep it in the fridge.
What i noticed is: 3 years outdated C41 film ("pro" series) goes wrong in the fridge.
3 years outdated slide film does not.
They come from the same place, they are both Fuji, they were kept the same way.

[Pherdinand]

by the way, kodak's BWc41 says clearly on the box, that it may be kept refrigerated but it is not necessary. Of course, this is only valid for still-within-date film.

[irq506]

Well... its a bit of a saga with me.
I bought a few rolls of Neopan 400 in bulk before they discontinued it, and then I found a few more and I bought them as well, and then my order for another few came in from B&H. Then I got a deal on ten tins of various kinds of film in 100' rolls, and then someone gave me some, I got a deal on sixteen tins of all kinds of 100' rolls and by that time, I was asking the stores Id been buying from if they wouldnt mind actually holding on to it for me because Id got nowhere to put it.
The last time I counted I had 76 100' rolls scattered across the greater seattle area in a few friends freezers and a few stores also.
maybe thats something I should attend to this weekend...

[infrequent]

all of my film right now is recently expired...so all in a box in the freezer.

[Keith]

Closet ... what closet? Is that you Tom ... Katy's not in there with you is she? C'mon Tom come out of the closet! :p

I think bulk film collecting is just another form of GAS where you wind up with everything you think you need and actually use very little of it and start to feel lost and guilty! :eek:

[Keith]

Well... its a bit of a saga with me.
I bought a few rolls of Neopan 400 in bulk before they discontinued it, and then I found a few more and I bought them as well, and then my order for another few came in from B&H. Then I got a deal on ten tins of various kinds of film in 100' rolls, and then someone gave me some, I got a deal on sixteen tins of all kinds of 100' rolls and by that time, I was asking the stores Id been buying from if they wouldnt mind actually holding on to it for me because Id got nowhere to put it.
The last time I counted I had 76 100' rolls scattered across the greater seattle area in a few friends freezers and a few stores also.
maybe thats something I should attend to this weekend...

I just got out my calculator ... that's one and a half miles of film dude ... you have problems! :p

... to make it sound even more bizzare you would have to take a photograph every minute of every day for just under a full year to use that much film ... :eek:

[sienarot]

I'm all over the place. Stuff I intend to use in the short term (in the next week or two) I leave out on my desk or in my camera bag, especially the BW stuff. Stuff I think I'll be using soon is stored in the fridge. The long outdated film as well as the film I don't plan on using anytime soon goes into the freezer.

The fresh stuff (which I rarely buy any of) can sit in room temperature for a bit until I start using up the older stock to make room.

I recently got into large format, so I'm re-hoarding all my favorite films in 4x5, so that's sitting in my bench (near my cold window) at the moment until I can find a place to store it. I should've just left them all at the post office until I needed them! Hahaha!

I've actually started storing some of my film in my office mini-fridge at work too. It frees up a bit of space at home, plus you'll never know when you'll need some emergency film to unwind with after a busy day at the office.

[ruben]

I keep the current week's rolls in the refrigerator along with the filled reloader and the non-current bulk rolls in the freezer.


The same here

[raid]

When you live in a warm place like Florida, keeping film cool is a must. What closet? I don't have airconditoned closets.

[jfretless]

Search "film fridge" of "film stash" on flickr when you have a moment...

Good times. ...and it makes you realize you are not alone.

John

[crawdiddy]

My freezer is filled with bundles of cash, so film goes in the closet.

[MikeL]

Crawdiddy, bundles of cash go in coffee cans, the freezer is for temporary body storage, and shovels go in the closet. Just FYI.

[ClaremontPhoto]

All my film is about ten years old and sits on a shelf.

I'm running low on stock so it's time to buy a new batch now and let it mature for a few years.

[minoltist7]

all of the above.
infrared or high-sensitive film, or bulk film in spools stocked for years (if I would have any) - in the freezer
long-term storage of most films in refrigerator (lower section) at +8 +10 C
short-term or "intermediate" storage in dark closet ( +21-22 C ). Here I keep film which I'm going to load to the camera soon, to let it warm gradually to the ambient temperature

[Bill58]

My film is in the freezer and my camera batteries are in a drawer (room temp)

[pvdhaar]

I keep my film in the fridge; but it never actually stays in there so long that it should be. I guess because I haven't the foggiest idea where else I should keep it.. and actually remember where I put it.

[otaku]

Fridge. Currently just two rolls (no 35mm camera at the moment, but two on order) the two rolls are agfa black and white. can't wait to use them

[payasam]

For many years I've bought only consumer film, and never in bulk, so a drawer is good enough. I remember the days when the refri(d)gerator would be full of different kinds of film, comprehensively labelled.

[hjfischer]

I recently had a roll of previously-refrigerated Fuji 200 Superia ruined by condensed moisture, according to the lab. The negatives were streaked and could have been the result of going direct from the fridge to heated outdoors. I never had this happen before but I suggest that the cold cannisters be warmed up gradually before use.

[bcostin]

Most of my film, including all of the bulk rolls and sheet film, goes on the bottom shelf of the freezer (an ancient non-defrosting behemoth that came with the house.) A few rolls of current film are in the fridge. Unfortunately there's no room in the fridge for much else, so my bulk loaders and some other miscellaneous stuff stays in the nice cool basement.

[al1966]

All my film is about ten years old and sits on a shelf.

I'm running low on stock so it's time to buy a new batch now and let it mature for a few years.

LOL I dont cool film like to use it nice and out of date:D but im running out of realy old film:( so I have to hunt for more

[colyn]

I have a small deep freeze just for film photo paper etc..

[Pherdinand]

i have some old outdated fuji nps (6 rolls i think outdated in 2005) in 120 format, if you guys really like old outdated film... I am not sure how it shoots at this time.

[sepiareverb]

My films are frozen as they arrive, in ziplock bags of 10 rolls of my more usual films, 5 for films I use less often. I'll pull out the bags as needed the night before I'm heading out with that film, they thaw overnight easily on the darkroom counter.

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[poynterama]

How cold is too cold?? I keep all my film in the cupboard at around 10oC at the moment but I have access to a -20oC freezer at work. Is storing film this cold a good idea or not? I could always snap freeze it in some liquid nitrogen before popping it in there :rolleyes:

[Disaster_Area]

I keep all my film in the fridge.. but that's mostly cuz thats the only place I have room. Unfortunately a symptom of GAS is a closet full of camera gear and an empty fridge ;)

I've always wondered though... I usually only keep about a hundred rolls or so on hand and I highly doubt any of it will reach a year old.. is it really worth refridgerating or freezing it? My closet stays fairly cool, at or below 20C, I'm not sure if putting it in the fridge is necessary or just habit.

[Silva Lining]

I just keep it all in a cupboard. Never bothered with a fridge - never had any problems

[narsuitus]

I keep most of my 35mm and 120 film in the freezer. I keep some in the refrigerator.

I keep all of my 4x5 and 8x10 sheet film and all of my Polaroid film in the refrigerator because there is not enough room in the freezer.

[eli griggs]

I also keep most of my 35mm 120 film and 4x5 in the freezer. This includes bulk rolls that haven't been opened. Once it's 'defrosted' it won't get back.

Stuff I know I'll use soon, including Polaroid is in the fridge.

Loaded bulk loaders and opened sheet film are kept in the darkroom which stays about 66-68° F all year long.

Once it's in a bag, it stays there.

Cheers

[ItsReallyDarren]

I keep my lesser used films in the freezer, the rest go in the fridge.

[__hh]

About 2 rolls on the bookshelf;
About 4 rolls in my man-purse;
The rest in the freezer.

[Burlap Jacket]

My stash used to be confined to my fridge but I ran out of room and it's now spilled over to the freezer.

Check out my Film in my Fridge Flickr Group here: http://www.flickr.com/groups/filminmyfridge/

[charjohncarter]

It is somewhere in here!

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/carter3john/2451884209/" title="Untitled by carter3john, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2147/2451884209_5c1a55b29a.jpg" width="500" height="399" alt="" /></a>

[marke]

I voted refridgerator. Even though I keep some in the freezer, I don't really keep film for that long that I have a need to freeze it.

[ruby.monkey]

On a bookshelf, hopefully out of my son's reach. I tend to use film quickly so the only real danger to it is the sprog's insatiable curiosity.

[KenD]

I voted freezer, but keep transparency & IR in the freezer, most everything else in the (dedicated) full size fridge, and a few rolls here & there ready to go. Good old FAS... several thousand feet in the fridge. Too bad Polaroid is a little bulky, a 10 pack takes more space that 2 90m rolls. Paper gobbles up space too. Not enough space for in the fridge for my (freebie) xray film. I need a bigger fridge!

KenD

[Gabriel M.A.]

I'd vote for refrigerator, but I don't see it in the poll :o

[John Lawrence]

I've always kept mine in the refridgerator - these days seems to be more film than food and beer in there!

[Tuolumne]

Just about everywhere, except the freezer.

/T

[Marsopa]

Mainly in the refrigerator, but also in jacket pockets... sometimes I forget a roll in the trousers pockets and then appears in the washing machine...

[Juan Valdenebro]

In the closet... I don't shoot color long ago.

Cheers,

Juan

[dct]

I keep all my stock in the freezer and the upcoming next rolls in the refrigerator. But, obviously, a few rolls are also on the way in the different bags I own. Sometime for weeks.

[Rob-F]

Here's what the Great Yellow Father has to say about it:
http://www.kodak.com/global/en/consumer/products/techInfo/e30/e30.pdf

[buzzardkid]

cellar / basement.

temperature below 12 degrees celcius throughout the year. good enough for me and my films.

[DNG]

I never buy more than 10 rolls of B&W 36x, (2 months worth or so) so, my 40 year old or so 6'h x 4.5w' x 2'd double door solid Walnut Armoire fine.

I know it isn't much, but, it's all I can afford. It's enough, it keeps me connected with Film Photography.

[burancap]

Everywhere!

Good motivation to run an inventory!

[seakayaker1]

Currently have three large ziplock bags in the refrigerator, 2 B&W and 1 Color (about 60 rolls). The goal is to rotate the stock using oldest date first. Usually replenish inventory after using 15 to 20 rolls.

I have purchased expired rolls on a couple of occasions and used that stock immediately.

Usually a camera with me every day and keep two or three rolls in the bag.

[kode]

Most of it in the freezer, some in the fridge, some in various cameras.

[gb hill]

Update from post #16 in 2008. I have 3 rolls of Neopan 1600 in a drawer in my fridge, rest are in 2 bags in my room. My house stays pretty cool.

[cambolt]

In an empty computer case beside my desk!

This thread is old... Why the sudden bump?

[DNG]

It's all Juan's fault :p
And mine for replying also :D

It's all good :)

[mdarnton]

FWIW, I got back into film two months ago, using Tri-X and TMY-p3200 stored in my freezer since about 2000. Both are quite visibly fogged, but I have been using them, and they worked fine. I just recently got some Arista Premium (faux Tri-X) and here's a comparison of the fresh with my old: http://i.minus.com/iSAihzYTwdDv.jpg

Same developer, time, etc.

[paulfish4570]

refridgerator, no more than 15-16 rolls at a time. 4 in there now; waiting on 12 rolls of hp5 ...

[Cyriljay]

Some in the bag and some in a small stock in the Fridge!

[DougFord]

... Da fridge

[stratcat]

I live in a very warm place. Most of my film is in the freezer. The rest, which I expect to use within the next months is in the fridge.

[ErnestoJL]

I voted refrigerator, but some rolls are in the freezer, and some others in a shoulder bag where the camera(s) usually travel.
The scheme is the usual: from the freezer to the fridge, then to the camera bag, an then to the camera.
BTW, I still have a can of Plus X that was stored for almost 18 years in an anctarctic base, later brought to the continent in the icebreaker´s freezer, then to a home freezer for the past 32 years. Another can that came from the same place and time performed fine.
Ernesto

[MikeAUS]

Here's what the Great Yellow Father has to say about it:
http://www.kodak.com/global/en/consumer/products/techInfo/e30/e30.pdf
Thanks for that Rob. The definitive guide for sure! Answers all the important questions and then some.

[porktaco]

wow. on a shelf, in a camera bag. my house is airconditioned year round, and stays at a delightful 71 degrees.

[TXForester]

Fridge. The big freezer isn't working and the small one that is part of the fridge is too small.

[FlyingLotus]

Instant films in the fridge, and 35mm and 120mm in the freezer.

[jasonrutter]

I keep most of my film in the freezer. I them move it to the fridge for 24 hours and then let it come up to room temp depending on the time of year. I keep exposed but unprocessed film in the fridge until I can get to processing it.

I have dedicated an entire freezer to storing film, and the fridge portion to storing my beer and a little film. Need to keep priorities straight.

[mday]

C-41 and Delta 3200 go to Freezer, Tri-X and Acros to fridge.

[acroolite]

everything goes into freezer

90885

[kuzano]

160 frames readyload and quickload, plus 6 boxes of 4x5. 50-60 rolls 120/220. No 135.

Also keep all my Compact Flash cards and my SDHC cards in the freezer, when not out in the field. Keeps the colors vibrant and saturated.

[Rayt]

Where I live we don't have the luxury of space. My film competes with groceries in the fridge and freezer section. High speed b/w such as Fuji 1600 and Delta 3200 as well as Fuji 400x slide film go in the freezer. Low speed color slide goes in the fridge. All other b/w in the closet. Experience shows that b/w 400iso or slower are good and no fog up to 5 years after expiration kept in room temperature.

[E__WOK]

I keep all film in the freezer and an extra roll of every variation of film in my camera bag which is more than I can shoot in a day. If I need more film, I take it out and let it defrost overnight.

[Red Robin]

Like you Raid it' the freezer for me here in central Fla.on the gulf coast. The idea of a separate , small freezer sounds good. Ms. Bee is a good sport, but she would love to have her freezer space back.

[steveyork]

I keep anywhere from 10-30 rolls out, but the rest (anywhere from 100 to 250) are in the freezer.

[Chris101]

Ah, this thread's back. I keep a Sears 35 RF camera loaded with trix in the console of my car. Note that I live in Arizona, where the car's interior reaches 130F on hot sunny days, which is ... all of 'em! The film gets cooked a bit, but as you can see from the attached examples, it's a bit low in contrast, but still works.

[rbsinto]

Mountains of colour slide and some Scala stored in the freezer, and about 10 rolls in a pocket in each of my two camera bags, so I've got stock when I go out to shoot.

[slava]

I shoot about 1 roll a week and second one I got in the bag, some that I will use soon in the refridgerator and all the others in the freezer.

[Joosep]

Someone should buy this, just too awesome ! (http://www.ebay.de/itm/Kuhlschrank-fur-Filme-Bier-Wurstsalat-fur-12-und-220-V-Warmschrank-/130810833253?pt=DE_Analoge_Fotografischer_Film&hash=item1e74eee965#ht_500wt_949)