Reading mode: Light Dark

How do you store your gear?

Go to last post
I live in the tropics, high humidity. I store all my gear in a dry cabinate.
 
noggin2k1 said:
I store it in any place I can where the Mrs isn't likely to find it, and question me on any new lenses that have 'appeared'...
Click to expand...
... no such problem. :-P
 
Graham Meale said:
You can muck around with boxes and silica gel, and have to remember to recharge regularly, or you can plug in a dry cabinet and never worry about it again. They consume almost no electricity and last almost forever.
Click to expand...
 
khunpapa said:
Graham Meale said:
You can muck around with boxes and silica gel, and have to remember to recharge regularly, or you can plug in a dry cabinet and never worry about it again. They consume almost no electricity and last almost forever.

--
www.grahammeale.info
Click to expand...
I have around 20 MF lens and 10 AF. use box and gel for over 10 years without mold for even one. The 10 liter box requires only five gram of gel (1 tea spoon) to keep the air around the optimum %40-60% RH. Cost of gel is less tha $5 pet pound. One can wilk last a year or more.
Click to expand...
I'll bet it doesn't last a year without a recharge. In my experience, the silica needs to be recharged every month or so if the box is entirely airtight, more often if it's not, or if the box is opened. If you open the box frequently, you need to recharge at least weekly. I know, because in addition to my six dry cabinets, I also have one of these ...



As I said at the outset, the DIY box-and-silica solution involves much more mucking around than a dry cabinet that you can set and forget. It's like comparing a fridge with an ice box that has to be refilled with ice at regular intervals.

Nevertheless, I'm happy that you're happy with yours.

--
www.grahammeale.info
 
Graham Meale said:
Member said:
I'll bet it doesn't last a year without a recharge.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
You lost. Ha ha ha.

The longest last more than four years.

I had moved my home 5 years ago. Almost all (MF) lenses were packed in the airtight 20 liter box bought from kitchen store with one film-canister of silica gel. This box was put inside the bigger paper box with other junks household appliances.

I know that moving home is not easy. But never once realize that it's light year away from the word "easy" //mad //mad //mad. Until now, I can't find my bread maker!

So - when I discovered that box of lenses, it's heaven!

At that time, the canon 56mm f/1.2 lens and the nikon 105mm f/2.5 had developed sign of mold at the rim of the front glass element (from traveling to the damp forest over 2 weeks before home moving). But as I said : move home is lightyear from easy. I had no choice but left them as they were. Just wrap them with kitchen plastic wrapper before throwing in to the box.


I discover that the mold is dead. No new mold develops.

The humidity in the box, 4 years later, is the same as the outside of the box.

Mold's spore needs moisture to hack. The budding mold also needs continuous high enough moisture to grow and survive. Without that enough moisture, it's still birth.

Member said:
Member said:
In my experience, the silica needs to be recharged every month or so if the box is entirely airtight, more often if it's not, or if the box is opened. If you open the box frequently, you need to recharge at least weekly. I know, because in addition to my six dry cabinets, I also have one of these ...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...

I never do 'recharge'. Just replace the old one with the new one every time I open the box. One pound canister of silica gel costs only $5 - $6. So 5 grams is less than $0.1.

I open the box because I want to use the lens.
Replace the gel practically take no time at all.

Member said:
As I said at the outset, the DIY box-and-silica solution involves much more mucking around than a dry cabinet that you can set and forget. It's like comparing a fridge with an ice box that has to be refilled with ice at regular intervals.

Nevertheless, I'm happy that you're happy with yours.
Click to expand...
 
My small grey skull universe. :)
My small grey skull universe. :)


BTW, that Olympus Camedia C70 lives there happily for .. its whole life.

--
Flashes of my Memory.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Keyboard shortcuts

f
Forum
m
My threads
Mobile site
About
Editorial content
Cameras & Lenses
Community
All content, design, and layout are Copyright © 1998–2025 Digital Photography Review All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction in whole or part in any form or medium without specific written permission is prohibited.
When you use DPReview links to buy products, the site may earn a commission.
©GPS Media - Guides, Products, Services.
Back
Top