Dry Cabinet: Thoughts?

FoidPoosening · May 6, 2016

Hey Apug,

I live and work in NYC and spent some time browsing at B&H the other day. I saw one and it made me think: does anyone here actually own a dry cabinet? Regardless, do you think it's worth the investment and actually adds any material protection to your gear?

I ask because I my main shooters are based off the Canon FD system (F1N, T90, EF) and while not impossible to find, it's not exactly easy to replace a Canon FD 14mm f2.8L or 85mm f1.2L at reasonable prices without long wait times and lots of searching.

I'm in my early 20s and plan on using these lenses indefinitely, so longevity is a consideration. Part of my thinks spare no expense on protecting gear, and part of me says my lenses are 30-40 years old already and never needed anything like that in the past...so why now?

Would love to hear some thoughts on this one, thanks all!

Gerald C Koch · May 6, 2016

Never used one. I run the shower in the bath room for a minute or so to remove any airborne dust. A quick dip in Photo-Flo and then I hang the films from the shower rod. I have been doing this for decades with never any problems.

David Brown · May 6, 2016

I could be wrong, but I think the OP is talking about a dry storage cabinet for his cameras (what ever that is), but not a drying cabinet for processed film.

eddie · May 6, 2016

I think he's asking about an equipment cabinet, not a film drying cabinet.

FoidPoosening · May 6, 2016

^^^ You two are both correct. That's a great tip for film itself, but I was talking about storage for actual camera equipment (bodies/lenses).

eddie · May 6, 2016

Unless it's in an area prone to moisture, it's probably not necessary. If it is an area that does get some moisture, Tupperware containers and silica gel packets will do the job. Are you in a basement?

FoidPoosening · May 6, 2016

eddie said:
Unless it's in an area prone to moisture, it's probably not necessary. If it is an area that does get some moisture, Tupperware containers and silica gel packets will do the job. Are you in a basement?

And save the money to spend on film. Haha. So you thoughts are if I'm not in a particularly tropical climate, nothing is needed? In NYC I currently keep my gear on a shelf in my apartment with the lens caps off. Carefully clean for dust often and my apartment gets lots of natural light.

eddie · May 6, 2016

Unless you're in a basement apartment, I think it's overkill.

FoidPoosening · May 6, 2016

I'll take that as good news and run with it. It would be interesting to hear from someone on APUG that owns one or needs one for where they live though.

Theo Sulphate · May 6, 2016

According to Zeiss, fungus will form at 70% relative humidity for three days:

http://www.zeiss.com/camera-lenses/en_us/website/service/fungus_on_lenses.html

I have four temperature and humidity sensors in my dedicated Camera Room. Most of the time the relative humidity is under 50%; this week it's been between 38% and 45%.

So, I doubt that your humidity in NYC would be close to 70% - but it wouldn't hurt to monitor it. Small battery powered monitors can be bought for about $6.

FoidPoosening · May 6, 2016

Theo Sulphate said:
According to Zeiss, fungus will form at 70% relative humidity for three days:

http://www.zeiss.com/camera-lenses/en_us/website/service/fungus_on_lenses.html

I have four temperature and humidity sensors in my dedicated Camera Room. Most of the time the relative humidity is under 50%; this week it's been between 38% and 45%.

So, I doubt that your humidity in NYC would be close to 70% - but it wouldn't hurt to monitor it. Small battery powered monitors can be bought for about $6.

No a bad idea at all. What model would you suggest? Any other tips as to what differentiates your dedicated camera room from other rooms (aside from the cameras, haha).

Theo Sulphate · May 6, 2016

I think all the low cost models are made by the same company and just rebranded. They cost about $6, take a AAA battery that has lasted over 18 months now, and record daily highs & lows.

I will post a photo of one later.

No, there's nothing special about the room other than the cameras and the nice light pink of the walls. OK -one thing- it only gets a bit of direct sunlight in the morning, otherwise it's lit by reflected light. Also, it's upstairs with forced air heat & AC vents in the ceiling.

Sirius Glass · May 6, 2016

I use the shower for drying film.

FoidPoosening · May 6, 2016

Theo Sulphate said:
I think all the low cost models are made by the same company and just rebranded. They cost about $6, take a AAA battery that has lasted over 18 months now, and record daily highs & lows.

I will post a photo of one later.

No, there's nothing special about the room other than the cameras and the nice light pink of the walls. OK -one thing- it only gets a bit of direct sunlight in the morning, otherwise it's lit by reflected light. Also, it's upstairs with forced air heat & AC vents in the ceiling.

Definitely do, and thanks for the tips!

Theo Sulphate · May 7, 2016

Here is one of my little monitors; it's small enough to fit in your hand:

removed account4 · May 7, 2016

i had things in a metal cabinet for a while now its on a shelf,
film hangs either on wire or string from the ceiling,
( if its long ) a rack above the sink, or a converted suncast cabinet (6' tall, no shelves,
holes drilled in the sides&framers (braided ) wire strung across for other stuff. )
the grar cabiner was nice but a shelf works ok too.

CropDusterMan · May 7, 2016

For Crying out loud..., the OP is asking about equipment storage.

Get a Pelican case and Silca Gel packets, they are great for such.

paul ron · May 7, 2016

Put your stuff in tuppawear or zip loc bags n throw in some fresh silica packets.

Patrick Robert James · May 7, 2016

I wonder why people don't read before responding. Is it that hard? Or do you just like to hear yourself post?

I would go the silica gel route as well. CDM's suggestion of a Pelikan case is a good one. Those seal up tight.

GRHazelton · May 7, 2016

A dehumidifier will easily keep the relative humidity at 50 per cent or so in summer or winter in an average room - keep the door closed if possible! We have a big one which keeps the downstairs "dry" here in Georgia. I then keep my gear in plastic tubs with lids which allow some air circulation but keep dust out.

MattKing · May 7, 2016

Circulation of cool, humidity controlled air is the best method.

John Koehrer · May 7, 2016

Patrick Robert James said:
I wonder why people don't read before responding. Is it that hard? Or do you just like to hear yourself post?

I would go the silica gel route as well. CDM's suggestion of a Pelikan case is a good one. Those seal up tight.

What he said^^ Silica will saturate over time and should be replaced or dried once in a while.
You can get some larger packets that have indicators on the pack that change color when it's time to dry/replace them.

FoidPoosening · May 8, 2016

John Koehrer said:
What he said^^ Silica will saturate over time and should be replaced or dried once in a while.
You can get some larger packets that have indicators on the pack that change color when it's time to dry/replace them.

Where would the best place to get those be?

GRHazelton · May 8, 2016

Check with Home Despot or such. They have tubs of some sort of desiccant, do check the package to see if it can be heated to "revive" it.

Bill Burk · May 8, 2016

I have a number of places around my home that would be good to store things that have to be kept relatively cool and dry. Unfortunately I'm forbidden from using the closet in the center of the house, which I think would be the ideal location. A few places have proven terrible and possibly contribute to fungus. The garage where moisture is an issue and a corner of the bedroom where there isn't any air flow. I just had to wipe fungus off a Baja case holding some old slides. Inside the case was still safe, but on top of the case I had another camera bag "temporarily."

Anyone try the cat litter made of silica gel? For example "Litter Pearls Micro Crystal Cat Litter"

There's a bunch of Temperature / Humidity graphing recorders on eBay right now. One guy has about a half dozen for about 15 dollars shipping included. I took my chance on one, will let you know if that was worth it.

The first thing I'll do with it is test the corner of the bedroom to see what's going on there and what might improve matters (for instance maybe a small solar-powered fan could move the air enough to keep down the humidity there)... Then I'll set it up in different places where I might want to keep gear.

Dry Cabinet: Thoughts?

Moderator

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency