Freezing film..... what temperature is safe?

[Thingy]

I am thinking of freezing my QL film but as I normally keep my freezer at -18C I was wondering if this was safe or will it damage the emulsion?

I should also welcome some tips about how long to allow it to defrost at room temperature and can one refreeze opened QL packs (if well wrapped) or will I risk the photographic equivalent of salmonella? I'm expendible, my Ebony is not!

[Aender]

I have always kept my film (Velvia Quickloads and 120 rolls) at -18C for many months. No problem. Seems like the perfect temperature as I have never had a single issue with the film. I always took it out at least 12 hours before intended use. After a trip, I have only refrozen entire, unopened QL packs. I have no experience with refreezing open packs as I did not like the idea of putting them in a ziplock bag for fear of moisture being included. Others may have done it and can report about the outcome.

[Steve Smith]

You can't actually freeze film as it's not a liquid. You can just store it at a lower temperature.

If you are going to store your film for a few years then I would suggest a freezer. For a few weeks or months a fridge would do.


Steve.

[Paul Arthur]

Certainly don't re-freeze open packs of film - if you have any moisture on the film when it freezes it can damage the emulsion and also the paper envelopes.

Having said that, if you listen to people like Joe Cornish and David Ward talk about Velvia, you have to question whether you really need to keep it frozen. David told me of a sheet of film that had sat in a draw for three years after he exposed it before he processed it and had no problems with it at all - no colour cast or noise, discolouration or anything.... So it shouldn't be a problem if you don't freeze it.

[Thingy]

Thanks for your replies. I shall only freeze the boxes of film I need to store long term and keep a box of each ready for use in the fridge. It will have the added advantage of clearing precious fridge space....