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Film that's been left out for a year


M Joel W

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I might be able to get my hands on some 5230 and a 35mm camera for less money than they would usually cost to use, but my concern is that the film has been left out for a year in normal temperatures (an office that varies between 40ºF and 90ºF, but is usually more temperate, is my guess).

 

Should I:

 

a) Refrigerate the stock now and take it out when I'm ready to use it (hopefully within a year or two).

 

B ) Not bother.

 

c) Continue to leave it out in the same environment.

 

and if I choose to use it should I:

 

a) Rate it significantly slower (250ISO) and expect major color shifts or

 

B ) Rate it the same and expect it will be very similar to how it was originally or

 

c) Try it out and see what it's like

 

Basically what I'm asking is--how bad will this film be and how should I treat it so it doesn't get worse?

 

Thanks!

Edited by M Joel W
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I have had some 1000' cans of 5229 for four years now, slowly using them up and I have kept them in a refrigerator meant for wine cooling. I just developed 1500' for a project I am working on and the film looks as good as it did when i got it. I would not freeze the film just keep it in a cold fridge and you will be fine.

 

-Rob-

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freeze it if you are not going to use it for a year or so.

 

I have heard folks who have reason to know, questioning freezing film that has been opened. The trick is that if the humidity has caused the film to absorb moisture, it might be dammaged by the formation of Ice Crystals. If it is still factory sealed, and if the data sheet for that particular stock specifies that freezing is permited then you would be OK. Refrigerator temperatures are typicality around 4C which is the point where Water has the greatest density.

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I guess the key question is what does "left out" mean. 5230 is a 500T and the faster the film, the shorter the shelf life. However, if it has been kept in an relatively cool space, it should be good to use. A snip test at a lab can confirm that.

 

When you say you can get your hands on some 5230 that would be less money than usual, how much is the cost? I've got a vault of film that has not been left out and is current. Some of it is factory sealed and some of it is ends and recans.

 

Richard Kaufman

Comtel Pro Media

richard@comtelpm.com

818-450-1122

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It's been exactly a year so if we refrigerate it now I figure it will still be good in a year, maybe? Or I can try to use it sooner. I'll get a snip test.

 

I don't have a claim on this film yet, but if I get my hands on it it should be almost free for quite a lot of film, which is why I'm interested in the first place. Of course processing won't be free. It's the remains from a feature shot on 35mm and the studio couldn't sell it because it was left out. I might also have some Fuji 64D from a short made under similar circumstances, come to think of it.

Edited by M Joel W
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It may still be good in a year...maybe. The good news is that it is all from same source. So, you really don't need to test every can. Just test a couple since you can assume it was all stored in same place under similar conditions and purchased roughly at same date.

 

Free is good! I'm guessing though that the studio could not sell it because the after market for 5230 is basically non existant. Kodak created the film as a lower cost alternative to the 5219 for indies and tv movies. But, most filmmakers would rather shoot on 5219 for a 500T. Snow White, however, with Charlize Theron was shot on it so some filmmakers like it.

 

If you need more, please give me a call.

 

Richard Kaufman

Comtel Pro Media

richard@comtelpm.com

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