From: Rod Fleming (rodfleming@sol.co.uk)
Date: 05/09/00-09:55:51 AM Z
Hi
It is quite true that the sooner the latent image is developed the better;
however the trade-off is in the poor consistency, damage, marks, etc you
will probably get from processing in less than ideal conditions. This is
more likely to cause trouble than a delay between exposure and development.
Exposed film should be kept cool, and just as important, at a stable temp.
High humidity is very damaging- sealing the boxes is a must, and you should
use something like silica gel (Not in contact with the film) inside the
packaging to combat humidity. (There are alternatives for those who don't
like silica gel, but it's still the most effective.)
It depends where you're going and how well you can store the processed film,
against your abilities in a makeshift darkroom.
Remember that mountain photography in particular can mean extremes of
temperature and humidity so take extra care.
On balance I'd say invest the effort into the storage system and do the
processing once you get back. From travelling in the tropics I think the
first problem you'll encounter with badly stored film is a loss of contrast
in the developed image. The answer to this is thorough cataloguing and
making regular test negatives (which are marked as such with date etc) so
that you can process the tests first and make alteration in your process
times to compensate for any loss of quality.
Hope it helps
Rod
----- Original Message -----
From: "Christina Z. Anderson" <tracez@mcn.net>
To: "Alt Photo" <alt-photo-process-l@skyway.usask.ca>
Sent: Tuesday, May 09, 2000 04:22
Subject: Developing 4x5 negatives
> Just a quick question (or two or three or four) to throw out to the
group;
> if you were on an extended trip with a 4x5 camera, and were taking BW negs
> on, let's say, TMax 100 during the day, removing them from film holders at
> night and putting them in the dark boxes, what would be the maximum amount
> of time you would allow yourself to do this before developing them?? I
have
> heard that once exposed, the film changes over a period of time until
> developed and hence one should develop ASAP. Is this true? Can you
really
> discern a difference, or do you all bring your chemistry with you always?
> (and combi tanks, etc.) Is there a more marked difference with larger
negs
> than, let's say, 35 mm? Could I even go three months without developing?
I
> guess I am asking this to see if it is opinion or if anyone has tested
this
> out (developed some right away, others later, and seen a difference).
> Chris Anderson
>
>
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