How does one store negatives for longevity?
Nov 1, 2013 12:29:38 #
Recently, the photographer for my girl's weddings sold me the negatives and the rights to their wedding photographs. Although I have no real desire for additional photos, (I bought all that I needed right after the wedding), I want to archive the negatives just in case a disaster happens... Do I place them in a airtight plastic container for preservation and then in a fireproof safe or is there a better way?
Just want to know your thoughts on the best way to archive negatives. Thanks in advance.
Just want to know your thoughts on the best way to archive negatives. Thanks in advance.
Nov 1, 2013 12:33:42 #
Best place is in a fridge.If the home fridge is inconvenient a small "bar fridge" can be had inexpensivly
Nov 1, 2013 12:35:58 #
I put negatives I shot 40 years ago in acid free sleeves sold for that purpose. I filed the sleeves in Kodak boxes that were left over from buying photo paper. Some have been in a shoe box.
I got them out a couple weeks ago to try out a new scanner. They are in perfect condition.
I got them out a couple weeks ago to try out a new scanner. They are in perfect condition.
Nov 1, 2013 12:37:28 #
boberic wrote:
Best place is in a fridge.If the home fridge is inconvenient a small "bar fridge" can be had inexpensivly
IMO that is a bad idea. There is far too much condensation in a fridge.
My shoe box has been in a dry and dark closet.
Nov 1, 2013 12:39:27 #
boberic wrote:
Best place is in a fridge.If the home fridge is inconvenient a small "bar fridge" can be had inexpensivly
That sounds like a great idea! I just hope my husband wouldn't confiscate it for his personal use! Ha!
Thank you for your quick response.
Nov 1, 2013 12:43:34 #
bedgmon wrote:
That sounds like a great idea! I just hope my husband wouldn't confiscate it for his personal use! Ha!
Thank you for your quick response.
Thank you for your quick response.
By the way there is no need to make the fridge as cold as possible. Around 50 degrees is adequate
Nov 1, 2013 12:46:24 #
bsprague wrote:
I put negatives I shot 40 years ago in acid free sleeves sold for that purpose. I filed the sleeves in Kodak boxes that were left over from buying photo paper. Some have been in a shoe box.
I got them out a couple weeks ago to try out a new scanner. They are in perfect condition.
I got them out a couple weeks ago to try out a new scanner. They are in perfect condition.
I will be researching for purchasing the acid free sleeves. Thank you for the gentle reminder. I think Hobby Lobby might have them for scrap booking. Is that the same quality?
By the way, what scanner did you select? My older scanner will not connect to my MacBook. I will be doing a great amount of scanning in the near future. My mom passed away last month and I will be scanning her photos for each family. Thanks again, baspraque, for your help.
Nov 1, 2013 12:53:50 #
Look at the sleeves here: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?atclk=Category_Archival+Pages%2c+Sleeves+%26+Rolls&sts=ma&ci=728&N=4289366513&Ntt=negative+sleeves
B&H also has "museum" storage boxes.
The key words used to be "archival" and "acid free". Now maybe it is "PVC free".
I bought a Epson Perfection V500. I am very happy with it. I understand it has been discontinued and replaced by a V550. It was purchased to scan Kodachrome slides for family when my mother-in-law died two years ago.
B&H also has "museum" storage boxes.
The key words used to be "archival" and "acid free". Now maybe it is "PVC free".
I bought a Epson Perfection V500. I am very happy with it. I understand it has been discontinued and replaced by a V550. It was purchased to scan Kodachrome slides for family when my mother-in-law died two years ago.
Nov 1, 2013 12:55:05 #
[quote=bedgmon]Recently, the photographer for my girl's weddings sold me the negatives and the rights to their wedding photographs. Although I have no real desire for additional photos, (I bought all that I needed right after the wedding), I want to archive the negatives just in case a disaster happens... Do I place them in a airtight plastic container for preservation and then in a fireproof safe or is there a better way? Just want to know your thoughts on the best way to archive negatives. Thanks in advance.[/quote
Dont put them in the frig!!!! You'll ruin them. The make in acid free sleeves that are meant to preserve your favorite negative. you can get them at a Camera store, they aren't expensive.
Rocky
Dont put them in the frig!!!! You'll ruin them. The make in acid free sleeves that are meant to preserve your favorite negative. you can get them at a Camera store, they aren't expensive.
Rocky
Nov 1, 2013 12:55:54 #
Nov 1, 2013 13:09:36 #
[quote=ROCKY JA][quote=bedgmon]Recently, the photographer for my girl's weddings sold me the negatives and the rights to their wedding photographs. Although I have no real desire for additional photos, (I bought all that I needed right after the wedding), I want to archive the negatives just in case a disaster happens... Do I place them in a airtight plastic container for preservation and then in a fireproof safe or is there a better way? Just want to know your thoughts on the best way to archive negatives. Thanks in advance.[/quote
Dont put them in the frig!!!! You'll ruin them. The make in acid free sleeves that are meant to preserve your favorite negative. you can get them at a Camera store, they aren't expensive.
Rocky[/quote]
Thank you Rocky for your advise, I do value both camera stores in my neck of the woods and am faithful to keep their doors open (Fort Worth Camera and Arlington Camera). I will certainly check with them. I will be going next week if I have not purchased on line with B&H or Adorama. It depends on how impatient I am at getting this accomplished.
Dont put them in the frig!!!! You'll ruin them. The make in acid free sleeves that are meant to preserve your favorite negative. you can get them at a Camera store, they aren't expensive.
Rocky[/quote]
Thank you Rocky for your advise, I do value both camera stores in my neck of the woods and am faithful to keep their doors open (Fort Worth Camera and Arlington Camera). I will certainly check with them. I will be going next week if I have not purchased on line with B&H or Adorama. It depends on how impatient I am at getting this accomplished.
Nov 1, 2013 13:54:41 #
bedgmon wrote:
I just bought a bunch from B&H for negatives that were not already in sleeves. They have a lot of different selections so be sure to browse for what will work best for your needs. I skipped those that can be placed in a 3-ring binder. I don't need regular access that arranged into binders would enable. Just wanted something to keep them safe where many had been just loose in a zip lock bag. I've been using an Epson V600 to scan all my negatives. Many were out for reuse for the first time in 20+ years ...I will be researching for purchasing the acid free sleeves.
Nov 1, 2013 14:20:00 #
CHG_CANON wrote:
I just bought a bunch from B&H for negatives t... (show quote)
Thanks. Knowing what to purchase in lieu of shifting through the mass of inventory will come in pretty handy. Hey, you don't look older than 20!
Nov 1, 2013 14:31:04 #
boberic wrote:
Best place is in a fridge.If the home fridge is inconvenient a small "bar fridge" can be had inexpensivly
Never in the fridge! Condensation will ruin them. Byt it's OK for unexposed film that is still sealed in its original container.
Put them into archival sleeves and archival boxes. Then store the boxes in a cool (not cold), dry dark place.
Nov 1, 2013 14:34:51 #
selmslie wrote:
Never in the fridge! Condensation will ruin them. Byt it's OK for unexposed film that is still sealed in its original container.
Put them into archival sleeves and archival boxes. Then store the boxes in a cool (not cold), dry dark place.
Put them into archival sleeves and archival boxes. Then store the boxes in a cool (not cold), dry dark place.
:thumbup:
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