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Protecting Unexposed Film from Cosmic Radiation?

Posted by Cliff on from the but-cosmic-rays-worked-wonders-on-the-FF dept.

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?"

7 of 142 comments (clear)

  1. What does tha manufacturer say? by mjpaci · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Were any of the film experts from FujiFilm? They may have some guidance for you. As them how they store film stocks.

    --Mike

  2. Premature by Phanatic1a · · Score: 5, Informative
    Fujifilm recently said they were bringing Velvia 50 back:

    Valhalla, NY, November 14, 2006 - FUJIFILM U.S.A., Inc. is pleased to announce plans to re-introduce an ISO 50 Fujichrome Velvia professional film, tentatively named Velvia II. Fujichrome Velvia (RVP 50) was the first high color saturation, high contrast transparency E-6 compatible film when it was introduced in 1990 and was a favorite among photographers. Its discontinuation was announced last year due to difficulties in procuring some of the raw materials used to produce the emulsion.

    "Since we announced the discontinuation of Velvia 50, we have been inundated with requests from photographers worldwide to continue production," said Christian Fridholm, Director of Marketing, Picture Taking, Imaging Division, Fujifilm USA. "They had used Velvia for many years and consider it unmatched in terms of quality and character. One of Fujifilm's main priorities is to nurture the culture of photography, so we took those requests very seriously."

    As a result, Fujifilm research and development teams have developed substitute raw materials and new manufacturing technologies that enable the company to restart production. The new film is expected to be available in late spring 2007. The characteristics of the new emulsion will mirror that of the previous product.


    I note that it's now past late spring 2007.
    1. Re:Premature by Dan+East · · Score: 4, Funny

      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.
  3. Don't bother by PhysicsPhil · · Score: 5, Insightful

    The cosmic radiation in question has enough energy to travel across the galaxy, blast through several kilometres of atmosphere, penetrate your building's roof and walls and then punch through the box holding your film before actually interacting with the film. Seems unlikely that you'll be able to do much more to keep the film fresh.

  4. A trivial detail... by mridoni · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Did you also happen to buy and store a 30-years-worth supply of chemicals (and a processing machine) for E-6?

  5. The place to go by BenEnglishAtHome · · Score: 4, Informative

    Like lots of photo buffs, the first thing I thought of was the Rochester Institute. And that led me to an answer.

    I'm not going to put directly on Slashdot the name and phone number of a real person. However, if you visit the Image Permanence Institute web site and poke around, you'll find a name and phone number you can call to get in touch with an expert on these subjects who will either know the answer or know where to find it.

  6. How about... by alta · · Score: 5, Funny

    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.