Shelf life of J Lane Dry Plates

[Alan9940]

Assuming cool storage conditions, anybody know the shelf life of the ASA 2 J Lane Dry Plates? Is it the same as film? Can they go into the freezer until use?

Thanks!

[Nodda Duma]

I put an expiration date of two years out from when I coat them. That two years is based on hauling plates around in the cab of my truck through summer and winter for two years straight, after which they were still good as new. I'm sure they will last much, much longer but I've only personally tested out two years in adverse storage conditions.

So yeah, treat them like film for shelf life purposes.

-Jason

[Alan9940]

Thank you, Jason.

[peter k.]

Hmmm .. so you can put them in the freezer???

[Nodda Duma]

Peter yeah but just be aware of condensation issues

[Mark Sampson]

C'mon you guys- Use 'em up and buy more!
"Fresh is best" just as with vegetables.

[peter k.]

Yep .. ya nailed it on the head..

[Alan9940]

C'mon you guys- Use 'em up and buy more!
"Fresh is best" just as with vegetables.

Yep, i will as soon as I get my new plate holder.

[Steven Ruttenberg]

As soon as my Observatory is set up I will be doing glass plate astrophotography with these. Eventually mixing my own emulsion and costing plates. Just need a way to get some speed from them. So I will be using lots of plates soon.

[Tin Can]

Great!

There is a thread about Digitizing Harvard’s Century of Sky

However this 2003 example of advice about saving scanned plates is sad.

A 'friend' destroyed his father's garage observatory/telescope even when I said I would come and save it.

1984 my wife bought me a very nice Meade telescope which I told her we had to return. I still miss it and her. RIP Marnie.

As soon as my Observatory is set up I will be doing glass plate astrophotography with these. Eventually mixing my own emulsion and costing plates. Just need a way to get some speed from them. So I will be using lots of plates soon.