Topic: my big fat photo paper score and a question

[astrobeck]

Last week I was in Texas for a big star party and I gave a talk about "Solargraphy and the art of capturing the Sun with a pinhole camera".

A few days later, a very kind and generous person GAVE me the following:
All expired, but in sealed boxes.

100  sheets Kodak Polymax II RC   11x14
10    sheets Ilford Cibachrome-A    8 x 10
25    sheets Oriental Seagull F-2   8 x 10
20    sheets Oriental Seagull F-2  11 x 14
10    sheets Kodak Ektalure Lustre 11 x 14
10    sheets Kodak Ektacolor Plus  11 x 14
10    sheets Kodak Ektacolor Plus  16 x 20
10    sheets Ilford MGIV gloss      16 x 20
10    sheets Ilford MGIV Pearl      16 x 20

It is needless to say I was thrilled beyond words!
I'm all set for paper for a while!

My question is how do most of you store your photo paper?
Up until I got this batch of paper, I was keeping it in a file cabinet drawer stored flat.

[jojonas~]

congrats on the big haul!   

I have a lot of old paper in cabinets in the darkroom. the new stuff I buy (or old I tested and want to keep) I have put into the freezer home. we've got a fridge in the darkroom now though to keep paper in. so that will be good I think

[Randy B]

Same for me.  I don't have a darkroom but I take a BW printing class 2x a year that gives me access to one for 5 months out of the year.  During the class I keep it in the fridge and take it out one day before use.  For the extended time between sessions or if I don't plan on using a pack for a while I wrap it in plastic and freeze it.  Especially it you also keep food in the same freezer or fridge I highly recommend zip locks for smaller paper and plastic wrap for bigger packs to keep accidental spillage on your lovely paper.

Should be fine for a while if you keep it cold and dry.  Even if it starts going bad its still fine for contact sheets or prints you just make for fun and don't plan of framing and hanging.

[Sandeha Lynch]

Score !!   

[charles binns]

I have two boxes of Ilford RC paper that spent 4 years in my garage, and now reside in my study.  Only use it for paper negs and it is fine.

Good result though!

[LT]

I keep all my paper in a dark box at room temperature.  Some is 10 years old and is fine.

[Francois]

I used to keep mine in a ziploc bag in the freezer. Thaw the night before you use it to avoid condensation. Had no problem with some paper from the early 1990's

Now question is: who can pass a freebie like that!

[astrobeck]

thank you all for the ideas and tips!

I'm still overwhelmed by it, but will put it to good use.

thanks again guys!   

[LeonY]

I keep mine in my darkroom, its dark, and cool in there! half the paper i own, and i own a llot, is over 30 years old easy! I buy lots form ebay any time they come up! I have only once received a dud box. Basically keep it in a cool dark place.
I wish i could keep my stuff in a fridge, but i would need a meat locker for the amount i have.

[sherwoodforester]

i bought a job lot of Kodak Bromide and Bromesko from e-bay, most of dates from the 1960s and it prints fine, the chap I bought if off had kept it in his garage for as long as he could remember.

Its all fiber based paper and it makes really nice dark rich prints.

[astrobeck]

I'm just wondering now if photo paper of the past was a bit more "durable" than present day emulsions?

Regardless of whether it is or isn't, it gives more points for using analog!   

[gothamtomato]

Wow, lucky you! I'f I'm not mistaken, the Kodak Polymax was the only RC paper made to be used for hang coloring.

As for storage, I keep all mine in a cool dark place - my apartment (which I always keep cool because I have way too much film and paper to fit in my fridge and freezer (which are pretty much stocked). Forget about me-- I keep my apartment comfortable for my film storage.

[Francois]

Wow Debbie, you must really love wearing itchy wool sweaters