On Fri, 2 Jan 2004, Ann Sanfedele wrote: > Well, but, no one would leave their film in direct sunlight, Rob.... > (I just jumped into this in the middle - so I may be missing something) > > I think paper and film are a lot easier to care for and handle than discs... > I need them to be because I'm such a klutz.
I think the point being made was that good CDs, when properly stored, will probably last at least 10-30 years. Cheap or improperly stored CDs will degrade quicker, but using them is like storing your negs in bright sunlight... no one interested in archiving their images should do it. The merits of each side have been endlessly debated on here, but it comes down to individual preference. Negatives will last longer than a CD if left alone, but they will eventually deteriorate. They are the only original, so if anything happens to them, you're SOL. Individual CDs will not last as long as negatives, but you can make multiple copies of your originals for safety, and you can transfer them to new CDs or new media without losing quality. If you don't want the hassle of duplicating, transferring and updating your originals, and you're not looking for extreme long-term storage, then archive your images as negatives. If you don't mind the extra work of digital archiving, then you can theoretically extend the life of your photos (and the number of originals) by going that route. Either way, store your originals in location that's secure, cool and dry. People argue against digital archiving by bringing up the longevity of glass plates, daguerrotypes, dried beaver skins, etc., so feel free to go that way if you like. :) Black and white film is supposed to be much better than digital archiving because the negs last for 200 years (or pick another number). Of course, that's pure speculation, as negatives themselves have been around for barely more than a century. Digital images are supposed to last forever as long as they are transferred when necessary, although this too is just theory. There's no one right way, so just go with whatever feels more natural to you. chris
