RE: [APML] Cheap Dessicant to store film with

["R. Scott Ireland" <ireland@gate.net>]

You can also get pretty large cans of inexpensive silica gel in stores like
Michaels that cater to people working with dried flower arrangements. I
don't have one of the cans handy, and I don't remember the product name, but
it comes in a cylindrical metal can (about 12" tall and 3" diamter)with a
red label.

R. Scott Ireland
www.rsiphotos.com
ireland@gate.net

> -----Original Message-----
> From: astro-photo-bounces@seds.org
> [mailto:astro-photo-bounces@seds.org]On Behalf Of Lane, Jason R
> Sent: Wednesday, August 04, 2004 12:12 PM
> To: Discussion of Film Astrophotography
> Subject: [APML] Cheap Dessicant to store film with
>
>
> Hello all,
>
> One of the objectives of hypering film is to remove moisture from
> the film.  From my limited knowledge of how hypering works, the
> removal of moisture is one of the reasons hypered film has
> greater sensitivity and/or less reciprocity failure.  Since I
> don't have access to a hypering system nor will I have one
> anytime in the near future, I've always wondered if storing film
> long-term with dessicant would be of any benefit.  Naturally it
> wouldn't be as helpful as hypering, but maybe it helps a little
> bit without the large investment that hypering requires.
>
> I recently discovered that Wal-Mart sells a product called "Damp
> Rid" in their cleaning supplies section.  This is 18oz of calcium
> chloride, and the product is designed for use in damp areas of
> the house to reduce musty odors and humidity.  The package is
> relatively inexpensive...less than $10.  The container has an
> insert which divides it into upper and lower sections.  Normally
> you would put the calcium chloride in the upper section to let
> the water drain down to the lower section, but for this I put the
> calcium chloride in the lower section, 5 or 6 rolls of film in
> the upper section and sealed it in a Ziploc bag and stored it in
> the fridge.  The ziploc is going to be temporary until I find
> something that gives a better seal (I was thinking a big Mason
> jar).  Through normal use, some of the rolls will be stored in
> there over the course of several months, so I believe I'll get a
> good set of data points from a few weeks' storage to a few
> months' storage.  I can then compare these to photographs I've
> already taken of deep sky objects and see if there was any
> effect.   I can also try variations on this theme, like baking at
> low temperatures to help the process along.
>
> Thoughts?
>
> Cheers,
> Jason
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