shooting film in the heat...

[darius89]

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Dear film users..

 

I photograph with film for a few years now, and stil learning. I heard some stories about film and hot temperatures are not an ideal combination. But nobody could give me the right answers why and how to deal with it??

 

In about three weeks i am taking my leica M6 with alot of tri-x 400 and tmax100 rolls to Ethiopia, somaliland and djibouti. The climat is very hot and i hoped i could find some tips and tricks here?

 

With kind regards, Dennis

[spydrxx]

You might get a styrofoam cooler or insulated bag (I have one which holds 10-15 rolls) to carry the film around which you anticipate using on a daily bais, store the rest in a refrigerator or other cool spot where you are staying.

[CalArts 99]

B+W film is not so much of an issue as is color film. You will be okay if you just keep the film (both exposed and unexposed rolls) in with other items that you normally would not expose to high heat like medicines and food. If you're traveling with a backpack, then put it in the interior of the backpack and insulated in a pair of socks or surrounded by some clothing, etc.. You don't want it kept too hot over a very long period of time. Just during part of the day and then cooling off in the evening is fine.

 

Film can fog if it gets too hot. But I doubt you'll have any issues. Photographers have been using film throughout history in all kinds of adverse conditions with no issues (but if you find that it got too hot and you're concerned, you can try just developing one roll first to judge whether you need to compensate any developing for the rest of the rolls, etc..)

 

Something that you should be careful with is to be sure not to leave a lens in a hot place (like in a car) for an extended time period. The oil in the aperture can sometimes get too viscous and leak onto the blades themselves causing inaccurate aperture openings.

 

Have a good and safe trip.

[erl]

Try to treat the film the same way you treat yourself. Keep cool whenever possible. B&W film is less critical/sensitive to heat than colour.

 

The general rule for colour is that amateur films are better able to cope with extremes of heat than professional films. Pro films are calibrated far more sensitively to close temperature tolerances, whereas amateur films have more temperature latitude whilst being perhaps not quite precisely colour balanced in a given batch.

 

You should endeavour to protect your camera the same way but don't obsess over it. I have travelled the Sahara with Leicas and both they and the film survivd well, except on one infamous occasion, my films were 'stolen' by the Moroccan 'CIA'.

[darius89]

Thanks for the tips and stories, i guess it will be ok then.

[chris_livsey]

Pro films are calibrated far more sensitively to close temperature tolerances, whereas amateur films have more temperature latitude whilst being perhaps not quite precisely colour balanced in a given batch.

 

Sort of true

 

Pro films are released when the colour balance changes due to ageing are within their spec. keeping them cool at that point and after delays further changes. They are expected to be developed promptly after processing again to maintain spec. Amateur films are expected to be able to withstand more aging, the classic roll was a Christmas at both ends and summer hols in the middle

They do have more latitude "built in" ie the formulation may be subtly different. The balance within a batch, provided it has been stored together, will not however vary.

 

The differences a clearly described here:

http://www.kodak.com/global/en/professional/support/techPubs/e6/e6.pdf

No warranty on how long this Kodak link will work

so Quote"

All color films are perishable. Under refrigeration at 13°C (55°F) or lower, the chemical composition of color films remains relatively stable.

Under identical conditions, the stability of professional and general picture-taking films is essentially the same. If they are stored at the same temperature, both types of films will age at the same rate. "

[chris_livsey]

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I wanted to post this also but thought a second post more appropriate. Again Kodak so longevity, ironic given the topic, may be an issue. This relates to "motion picture film" but as we know it is essentially the same

Very chatty style and interesting.

 

KODAK: Storage Information

[Hugh 38]

If you do get the chance to use a fridge then put your film in , perhaps overnight , depending on how long you are staying .

It can get very hot inside cars etc so if possible try not to leave things there for too long.

If you can get films developed as you go then that can be worth doing , however you may not know the lab and they could ruin a film. Otherwise good advice given above.