Slashdot Mirror
Protecting Unexposed Film from Cosmic Radiation?
iblink asks: "Last year Fujifilm stopped producing a color slide E-6 sheet film called Velvia 50. It has unique color characteristics that I love so I decided to purchase the remaining stocks in Europe. I now have hundreds of boxes that need to be stored for up to thirty years. A number of film experts assured me that freezing the Velvia would stabilize the dyes for long term use. However, they all mentioned that cosmic radiation would eventually fog the film, and they offered little help in finding a relatively inexpensive barrier. I found various ideas on proton cosmic radiation barriers — a big bucket of water, lead, certain plastics — but nothing convincing or sufficiently detailed (which plastic? How thick?). The film is currently in a freezer, unprotected. Any ideas?"
I prefer using a fantastic group of four astronauts to block cosmic radiation. It seems to work well.
Vincent J. Murphy
Spandex Justice
You could use a very deep cave or mine, however this then presents other radioactive issues.
AHAHAHAHAH! You're my hero.
The press release fails the mention that Fujifilm felt there was an ample stock of film across Europe, but suddenly hundreds of boxes - enough to last a photographer for at least 30 years - disappeared from stores and warehouses. Fujuifilm was then inundated with requests from photographers, prompting them to resume production.
6 months into the future...
FUJIFILM U.S.A., Inc. is sad to announce that they are ceasing production of Velvia II after massive stocks of surplus first-generation Velvia film - enough to supply a photographer for 30 years - inundated the market. The film's sensitivity to cosmic radiation severely limits its shelf life, forcing Fujifilm to stop production so existing stores could be consumed before radiation damage occurs.
Dan East
Better known as 318230.
I've heard that if you stack a bunch of red Fiestaware dinner plates, and then store your film sandwiched in layers between them, then cosmic radiation won't be an issue at all.
Q: My film is being destroyed by cosmic death rays, what can I do about it?
A: Digital camera, Raid 5, good backups.
Q: But only velvet#50 has the unique qualities I'm looking for. I can't reproduce that with digital.
A: Photoshop CS7, Filters -> Artistic -> Velvitize.
Q: But I have to have REAL velvet#50 for all these Elvis and Bengal tiger prints I'm doing. I can't print on velvet with an inkjet!
A: I heard fujifilm has a good film that does this, see if they still make it.
Do not meddle in the affairs of sysadmins, for they are subtle, and quick to anger.
So does light, but I can stop that with the sheer force of my hands.