8mm Forum: Plastic or metal, & why

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Topic: Plastic or metal, & why

Tom Photiou
Film God

Posts: 4837
From: Plymouth U.K
Registered: Dec 2003

posted July 03, 2019 02:36 PM

I know this may seem a dull topic and it has come up before,
what , in your opinions, is the best storage cans for 16mm films? is plastic or metal, and why?
My own films are in a mixture of plastic and metal cans, (with no holes for air) and some are in hard card film boxes.

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Melvin England
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 707
From: Hull, East Yorkshire, UK
Registered: Feb 2016

posted July 03, 2019 03:04 PM

My personal choice is plastic every time. I just feel they are kinder to films, are not hard on the edge of films as they are being projected / rewound, are visually more appealing and are no danger to magnetic sound tracks. This would be for both super 8 and 16mm.

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"My name is for my friends!"

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Tom Photiou
Film God

Posts: 4837
From: Plymouth U.K
Registered: Dec 2003

posted July 03, 2019 10:46 PM

Thanks Melvin [Wink]

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Mark Mander
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1236
From: Dunstable ,Bedfordshire.
Registered: Jan 2005

posted July 04, 2019 03:03 AM

I have plastic and cardboard,I find the cardboard easier to store and keeps the films upright and can do nicer artwork especially super 8. I'm not really bothered too much with 16mm and have kept films how they arrived,as long as they are covered that's good enough,Mark.

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Sankyo 800 1.0 lens
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Melvin England
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 707
From: Hull, East Yorkshire, UK
Registered: Feb 2016

posted July 04, 2019 03:45 AM

Mark - My post was referring to the spools only. As far as the containers are concerned,for super 8, I agree with you.... Cardboard. Lighter, lets the film inside breathe easier. Due to the size of my collection against available space, plastic are too big and cumbersome. However, I still have not quite converted to cardboard only, due to the fact that many films purchased either on Ebay or from colleagues here arrive in plastic containers.

For 16mm, plastic or cardboard boxes can suffice. The cardboard ones are MUCH thicker than 8mm to handle the extra weight and bulk of the film, but those plastic containers really help when storing the film horizontally.

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"My name is for my friends!"

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Barry Fritz
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1061
From: Burnsville, MN, USA
Registered: Dec 2009

posted July 04, 2019 08:04 PM

Regardless of type, they should be vented.

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Maurice Leakey
Film God

Posts: 5895
From: Bristol. United Kingdom
Registered: Oct 2007

posted July 05, 2019 02:47 AM

It shouldn't be necessary to use ventilated cans in the UK with its equable climate.
As regards storage, 16mm film libraries always used cardboard boxes.
At one time it was easy to buy new metal or plastic cans but those days have passed. I just keep films in the containers in which they arrived from a seller.

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Maurice

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David Michael Leugers
Master Film Handler

Posts: 264
From: Fairfield, OH, USA
Registered: Feb 2004

posted July 07, 2019 04:10 PM

I think one size does not fit all. The type of reel and storage container depends on a variety of things. For 16mm prints I have always preferred good quality steel reels. With steel reels I can use Filmrenew or other cleaners on the film without worry of damage to the reel. I have never had a film damaged by a steel reel. The steel reels are far quieter when projecting the film than most plastic reels. Storage I have started to use the archival cans made by Tuscan. I have come to really like the Tuscan archival reels and cans for 8mm / S8mm film. However, I have many 8mm film prints on nice metal reels and cans and do not plan to change that. My experience is I do not care so much for S8mm steel reels and stick to the best quality plastic reels. The only disadvantage to steel cans of any size is when the film has VS. If it doesn't, then steel cans offer the best protection. I use the stick on Archivalware corrosion intercept disks inside the steel cans to not only protect the films, but as an indicator (the disk changes appearance) if VS is forming. I like to keep film in cans to keep them pliable.

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Live Free or Die

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Mark Mander
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1236
From: Dunstable ,Bedfordshire.
Registered: Jan 2005

posted July 08, 2019 04:21 AM

Hi Melvin
Looking at the topic started by Tom and the replies I'm pretty sure the topic means the type of material used in the storage of the films not the reels,maybe you started a topic elsewhere for the reels? Mark.

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Elmo GS1200 1.0 lens
Elmo ST1200HD 1.1 lens
Sankyo 800 1.0 lens
Elmo 16CL
Elf NT1

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Maurice Leakey
Film God

Posts: 5895
From: Bristol. United Kingdom
Registered: Oct 2007

posted July 08, 2019 10:11 AM

quote:
What is the best storage cans for 16mm, plastic or metal?

Mark is quite correct. Above was Tom's question.

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Maurice

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Leon Norris
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 958
From: Elkins Park, PA, USA
Registered: Jun 2012

posted July 08, 2019 01:54 PM

My choice is plastic! Much lighter and in different colors! And they look better! And cheaper! Go plastic folks!

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Melvin England
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 707
From: Hull, East Yorkshire, UK
Registered: Feb 2016

posted July 09, 2019 02:56 AM

So THAT'S why I messed up most of my school exams all those years ago. Not reading what is put in front of you properly.

Gentlemen, I stand corrected. I missed the word "cans," assumed spools, then went off on a tangent.

Hopefully, next time it will be brain into gear before putting mouth into motion!

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"My name is for my friends!"

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Terry Sills
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1423
From: Weymouth,Dorset,England
Registered: Oct 2012

posted July 11, 2019 03:57 PM

Always good to hear someone own up to making a mistake. Shows strength of character and absolutely nothing detrimental about it. Pity more of our Political class do not have that quality. (but we are not allowed to go there!)

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Simon Wyss
Film Handler

Posts: 78
From: Äsch, Switzerland
Registered: Apr 2009

posted August 01, 2019 12:56 AM

Metals are catalysts to chemical reactions, degradation. Long-time storage should be on plastic cores in not too tightly fitting plastic cans. For projection metal is better because the reels deduct static charge. You set a capacitor in motion with a film running from reel to reel and it attracts dust from the air. Always.

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