Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2001/01/30
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]There are different types of acetate film base. Some, which I have heard called diacetate, give off acetic acid and can deterioriate rather dramatically. They look like nitrate but don't burn. The good acetate (triacetate?) seems rather stable but will shrink over time. I take care of an archive of old movie film. Shrinkage is more of a problem for something that has to run through a projector or printer. The same film (60 years old) that could not be projected will run nicely through a sprocketless film-to-tape transfer machine, and if its Kodachrome the color will even be good! Until recently this film was not even stored under ideal temp and humidity conditions. Proper storage will extend the life of film quite a bit. Mike Durling > > I don't selenium tone my negatives but it is considered a very prudent > step for ensuring image permanence. This is no joke. > > There was an interesting thread in rec.photo.darkroom a while back > regarding the acetate base of all 35mm film (except maybe TP and a few > other oddities) which is apparently the first thing to go, on the order > of 50yrs or so, depending on storage conditions, etc. Our negatives are > not as permanent as we think. > > Byron. >