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The most important rule to follow is, keep film away from heat, moisture and harmful gases.
It is unwise to buy and store film months or even years ahead of the date you plan to use the film. The older the film becomes the more receptable the film becomes to undesired changes you will recieve on your prossesed prints. Keep only enough film on hand that you know you will use with in the next couple of months. If there is an expiration date on the film box or canister take note of the date. If the film has not been used and the expiration date is coming up soon, throw away the film. It is also important to have the film developed soon after being used, to ensure you recieve the best quality of your pictures.
If you will be traveling through security with your film, it is best to have the film in your "carry on" bag. Your film should not have any disruptions from the x-rays, if your luggage is just going through a couple of times. If you are a frequent traveler, you should have your bag hand checked.
In a hot temperate area keep film in a moisture free container in the refrigerator, freezer or a cool storage area. The container should be vapor-tight with desiccant (keeps moisture out). Before using the film, remove the container from the freezer, refrigerator or storage area at least 30 minutes before use, for best results allow warming for 2 hours. Leave the container sealed during this time to keep condesation from developing on the film. Use and develop your film as quickly as possible, as high temperatures often cause undesireable changes to the film.
Preserve your negatives, yes that's right, your negatives do not last forever. Storing your negatives at 35'F or lower increases the life expectancy of the negatives by 30 times. Keep the humidity between 15% and 40%. Take care in setting the humitdity setting, below 15% can cause brittleness and over 40% can create fungus. The ideal humidity for film is 40%. If you plan on taking the negative out of storage, let the negative warm up to room temperature before removing it from the protective container.
If you plan to store your film and or negatives in a refigerator, use a frost proof modern refrigerator with low humidity settings. The system should include proper storage for envelopes and containers for your film and or negatives. The recamended envelopes are Kodak Storage Envelopes for Processed Film. The envelopes come in sizes 4x5 and 8x10. Be sure that the refigerator you are storing your film and or negatives in does not come in contact wtih food and beverages. It is best to have the refrigerator you are using for the film and or negatives be placed in a different area than the kitchen and all persons living in your home are aware that this refrigerator is off limits to food and beverages.
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