IRecordThings
10-22-2008, 02:45 AM
Hi there,
I recently came across some 16mm films on an online auction that belong to a certain genre of which I am collector. I would like to bid on some of them, but I’ve not bought, handled, nor stored films before and I could use some advice on how to go about doing so.
The films are at least 15 years old, and some of them have apparently started undergoing vinegar syndrome, to varying degrees. The nature of the films are not such that they are the last surviving copies, but needless to say if I invest in them I want them to last, which means I need some way of storing them that will maximize their lifespan.
As per my research, it would seem that freezing and/or copying them are the answers; however, I’m on a tight budget (and plan to buy a camcorder from Panasonic’s prosumer line as soon as I can), so I can’t afford to send them to any special facility, or suddenly buy a bunch of film equipment. Whatever I do needs to be done from home.
So, my questions are:
What should I look for in a refrigeration unit? I’ve heard that frost-free and humidity control features help, but are they musts? I have a spare mini-fridge but the bulb never goes off and it often condenses on the inside. If I can’t rely on that, what can I get that’s energy-efficient and cost-effective?
What do I need to know before I start handling film? Any good resources you can point me to?
What utilities and products would I need to make sure the film is clean and in good condition? Are VS-combatant chemicals a bad idea?
Eventually, I would like to create my own HD telecine transfers, but that’s an issue I will address later. Right now storage is my main concern.
Any input you have is appreciated. Thanks for your time!
I recently came across some 16mm films on an online auction that belong to a certain genre of which I am collector. I would like to bid on some of them, but I’ve not bought, handled, nor stored films before and I could use some advice on how to go about doing so.
The films are at least 15 years old, and some of them have apparently started undergoing vinegar syndrome, to varying degrees. The nature of the films are not such that they are the last surviving copies, but needless to say if I invest in them I want them to last, which means I need some way of storing them that will maximize their lifespan.
As per my research, it would seem that freezing and/or copying them are the answers; however, I’m on a tight budget (and plan to buy a camcorder from Panasonic’s prosumer line as soon as I can), so I can’t afford to send them to any special facility, or suddenly buy a bunch of film equipment. Whatever I do needs to be done from home.
So, my questions are:
What should I look for in a refrigeration unit? I’ve heard that frost-free and humidity control features help, but are they musts? I have a spare mini-fridge but the bulb never goes off and it often condenses on the inside. If I can’t rely on that, what can I get that’s energy-efficient and cost-effective?
What do I need to know before I start handling film? Any good resources you can point me to?
What utilities and products would I need to make sure the film is clean and in good condition? Are VS-combatant chemicals a bad idea?
Eventually, I would like to create my own HD telecine transfers, but that’s an issue I will address later. Right now storage is my main concern.
Any input you have is appreciated. Thanks for your time!