Noob cont., How hot is too hot for film in the field ?

[Tim k]

Guys,

I am still in the process of gathering up things for my first LF venture out into the real world, (but I'm getting very close). And I am sitting here looking outside, and its hot, and my film is just nice and safe in the fridge.

This got me to thinking, should I take the fridge with me, or should I just stay inside? Its not uncommon to get well over a hundred this time of year, and I have no feel whatsoever as to what temperature is going to make my new lil green boxes unhappy.

Thanks for your time.
Tim K

[Dakotah Jackson]

I have shot and successfully processed both chromes and B&W negatives in sheet film from daytime temps of 126 degrees farenheit. Film loaded in holders in the camera bag on the back seat of a dark vehicle, some loaded in holders in a typical 'cold pack' drink soft side cooler (no ice) and some in hard side food cooler.(no ice)

Have not had color shifts or heat damage I have been able to tell.
I lived where 105+ was often the daytime temp in the summer and at times a lot hotter. Near Death Valley and in the valley during some toasty summer days. The film fared better than I did under these conditions. No air conditioning in the vehicle, just a damp cloth hung over the head while blasting the warm air on my from the wind wings.

[David A. Goldfarb]

If you can stand it, the film can stand it. If you're not shooting catalogues with color slide film that's been tested for color balance and filtering accordingly, you don't really need to worry about, say, spending six months shooting in a hot climate.

[Alan Davenport]

When your skin begins to smoke, boil and slough off, then it's too hot for film in the field.

The reason for keeping film in cold storage is to slow the natural chemical reactions which age the emulsion. Film is just fine for use in the real world.

[Tim k]

Thanks guys, this is all good news. I was all stressed about this.

Now, I have to find a new thing to stress over. Shouldn't be hard.

Thanks again

[Pat Kearns]

Go to Wal Mart and get a collapsable cooler on wheels made by California Innovations. Put some bottled water on ice with your film in a ziplock bag. Your film will thank you for the coolness and being in Arizonia your body will thank you for the ice water. :D

[lenser]

Several years ago, I spent three weeks shooting out west in some pretty bad heat. I kept all the film in a medium Igloo cooler with a damp towel draped over the cooler at all times. It acted like a primitive evaporating air conditioning unit. I was always amazed at how cool the film boxes felt when I took them out. Unlike having the film inside with ice, or cold anything; there was no risk of humidity form what ever was causing the cooling to reach the film.. In short, no possible condensation. Good luck.

Tim

[Tim k]

Go to Wal Mart and get a collapsable cooler on wheels made by California Innovations. Put some bottled water on ice with your film in a ziplock bag. Your film will thank you for the coolness and being in Arizonia your body will thank you for the ice water. :D

Pat, I was looking at them yesterday.