8mm Forum: Potential fridge storage problems?

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Posted by Osi Osgood (Member # 424) on October 16, 2007, 11:09 AM:

I have been quite vocal about the "fridge storage" of films, but I am curious if there could be potential problems even with this.

Now, I do put selica gel packs in each freezer bag to keep any moisture off the prints, (and it is a frost free fridge) ...

But I wonder if potential other problems could arise? For instance ...

Could fridge stored films be more suseptible to scratches? I ask this as anything going from cold to warm has to expand obviously. Anything contracts or expands with temperatures
changes, (the creaking of your home at night, for instance)
Could the expanding/contracting celluloid film actually allow for minute surface tear in the film?

I know that this sounds paltry, but as a rabid film collector, I want to hold onto my collection as long as possible.

Any info out there, (How about you Mr. Whittle?)

Posted by Paul Adsett (Member # 25) on October 16, 2007, 12:56 PM:

Holy cow Osi, with all due respect, freezing films sounds a little extreme to me. What do you do when you want to watch a movie - stick it in the microwave on the defrost cycle? [Big Grin]

I certainly understand your zeal to preserve your precious film collection, but I would be really, really worried about water condensation on the film. It's just possible you are doing more harm than good. Only time will tell.

Posted by Osi Osgood (Member # 424) on October 16, 2007, 06:23 PM:

Oh, a slight mis-understanding here. They are not frozen, none of my collection is in the freezer, they are all in the lower refridgerator. No freezing, just keeping the films at around 40 to 45 degrees.

I have noted that frozen films, even with selica gel packets, tend to develop moisture anyhow. Fortunately, i learned that early on.

Posted by John Whittle (Member # 22) on October 16, 2007, 09:44 PM:

I would recommend that you follow the storage suggestions and specifications used by the Hollywood Labs and Vaults as to temp and humidity. They are published in the SMPTE Journal and you might find them online or in a Kodak reference paper.

As for refrigerator or freezer storage, the film should first be conditioned to the proper humidity over a week or more in a humidity cabinet, then sealed in a can and then placed into cold storage.

On removal from cold storage, it should be allowed to sit sealed for a couple of days and then opened and rewound and inspected.

On consideration is that magnetic striped film should not be subject to the cooling cycles since it can induce cracking in older stripes (and all stripes are older stripes now). So the storage of picture only stock can be done, magnetic striped materials (espcially in 8mm and super 8 that have such thin stripes) should be avoided.

The most recent recommendations that I recall is to store film in conditions similar to normal human conditions, i.e. 68-70 degrees F and 40 to 50% RH. But you should verify that with Kodak's most recent "Care and Storage of Motion Picture Films". Also the film should be stored in containers that allow it to breathe. Special 35mm plastic vault cans have been designed that allow for air circulation around the film and they are stacked horizontally no more than four deep on shelves.

Nitrate film might benefit from freezing, however.

John

Posted by Osi Osgood (Member # 424) on October 17, 2007, 10:32 AM:

Aaah, I love to study at the "wisdom of the John" (and I aint talking about bathroom intelligence)!

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