A
400 foot core of Eastman Kodak 16mm or 35mm film usually
comes packaged inside a cardboard box, this can be
slit open in the light and the film-can can be removed
but DO NOT REMOVE THE TAPE SEALING THE CAN. In a darkroom,
the tape can be removed from the can and the roll
of film can be removed from its box. Remember to pull
the tape off slowly because ripping the tape off causes
a static charge that produces light (which can be
a problem in a crowded changing bag). The roll will
be wrapped in a black (opaque) plastic bag (do not
discard the bag, can or tape! You will need them to
wrap your exposed film when you send it to the lab
for processing). Inside the plastic, you will find
the film wound around either one of the two means
listed below. Store all film in the refrigerator for
short term storage. Transport film in a small cooler
when on location to protect the film from freezing
or frying as this will make the film brittle or cause
a color shift, tinting your images an unwanted hue.
For long term (a year or more) film storage, I've
placed Eastman Kodak film in the freezer (for nearly
10 years) and it was still usable. It is critical
that frozen film thaw FULLY (overnight at room temperature)
before use or the emulsion will de-laminate (peel
apart) and the base will fracture, causing a stoppage
in your camera among other catastrophes.
