Dry Cabinet: Thoughts?

[ic-racer]

Back in the 1980s I used a potato chip can with kitty litter in the bottom. I was sensitized to the issue of high humidity when I took my beloved Yashica 124G to Nantucket in 1984. In the course of a week, due to the high humidity in the cabin, the focus screen developed mildew/fungus. It was pretty alarming it happened so fast.

 

[FoidPoosening]

Back in the 1980s I used a potato chip can with kitty litter in the bottom. I was sensitized to the issue of high humidity when I took my beloved Yashica 124G to Nantucket in 1984. In the course of a week, due to the high humidity in the cabin, the focus screen developed mildew/fungus. It was pretty alarming it happened so fast.

Makes me think of the below:

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.

Yeah, definitely glad I've got some advice from everyone in here. Pelican case with Silica will likely be the go to for the most important stuff, but definitely would love to see the discussion continue!

 

[calebarchie]

OP is an adult now... you don't need to be spoon-fed information!

 

[RalphLambrecht]

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!

I have one for sale actually.I think they are great ;dry dust-frenegatives ready for enlarging or scanning iwithin 20 minutes.It's a Marrut;asking $150 plus shipping or just pick it up in central Florida during a trip to Disney.

 

[Bill Burk]

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.

OK it's a weird thing this chart recorder. It uses stepper motors and computer circuitry to keep manufacturing costs down. Cheap, but it works. Maybe not calibrated, but I don't really care for this purpose. Got a pack of paper and it's been running about a week. Anyway for 15 bucks you can't go wrong.

 

[FoidPoosening]

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

View attachment 156411

Bought one of these, thanks so much for the recommendation! So far the humidity has been 40-61% here and 70s for temperature, so I'm okay for now but curious as to what will happen when summer comes around.

Going with someone else's suggestion of a pelican case with silica inside. It will be good to have a larger case for this stuff for the next time I move.

That being said, I know darkness is one enemy of lenses besides humidity. Locking my gear up in a pelican case with silica inside would mean NO chance of fungus despite it being dark correct? Would hate to create a problem in trying to solve one.

 

[MattKing]

That being said, I know darkness is one enemy of lenses besides humidity.

Darkness is not an enemy of lenses. Dark and humid may be slightly more mould friendly than light and humid, but only slightly.

 

[Theo Sulphate]

According to Zeiss,

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

good air circulation helps prevent fungus - which is why I keep my lenses out in the open rather than in a case. However, humidity inside rarely reaches 60% here.

Even so, I've bought "new, old stock" lenses that have been in their original box and packaging (cardboard box, styrofoam container, plastic bag, & silica gel) for maybe five years or more and those lenses were perfectly clear and fungus free. I bought such a lens from B&H, looked at it, then kept it boxed up for another five years before finally starting to use it - no fungus issues.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

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.

I live in Florida where it can get quite humid in the summer but due to the air conditioning in the house,RH is at a constant 30% year round.often too dry for my nasal cavities.

 

[FoidPoosening]

In short, so far humidity has stayed in between 30-60% here in NYC, but have noticed a day or two where its a degree or two higher than 60%. Zeiss website (as quoted by someone in here) says fungus can start with three consecutive days of 70% humidity.

When summer comes or on a rainy week when this happens, is locked in a pelican case with silica the best bet?

 

[MattKing]

In a Ziploc plastic bag with silica may be even better.

 

[FoidPoosening]

In a Ziploc plastic bag with silica may be even better.

Why do you say that?

 

[MattKing]

In a Ziploc plastic bag with silica may be even better.

Why do you say that?

Cheaper, more flexible, easier to confirm the seal, and it allows you to "humidity proof" camera cases that can be used for more than storage.

The Pelican cases excel at protecting equipment in transit.