Humidity levels and fungus

[ymc226]

I'm about a mile from the beach and humidity in my room where I store equipment so far ranges from mid 50% up to 70%. The upper range is reached only temporarily after someone takes a shower in the attached bathroom. For my more precious equipment, I bought 2 good sized dry cabinets from B&H; the RH is 45% in those cabinets. Otherwise I keep all my Nikon gear in my closet drawers with large silica gel packs which I periodically recharge. I also just put in a small dehumidifier in the closed closet which gets the the RH down to 50-60%, about 10% lower than what the room RH is. I don't have the option of getting more dry cabinets as my wife already thinks they are an eyesore. Would 50-60% humidity be considered at risk in a dark drawer for fungus development? I just got all 12+ Nikon F and F2s completely overhauled including the metered heads so would like to preserve them.

 

[Kino]

Sounds like you have been about proactive and careful as anyone could be.

The only thing I think you could possibly do is investigate a mild, copper-based fungicide to inhibit growth. I am no expert by any means, but have done some informal investigation of possible solutions to the same problem and found copper-based solutions mentioned most often.

Something as basic as copper pennies heated to levels that can be obtained in a clothes dryer, stuffed in a small cloth bag and placed inside the storage container has been suggested many times.

I would be hesitant to use a spray-based anti fungal, but some form of solid copper might be beneficial.

Good luck.

 

[ymc226]

Thank you Kino. I looked briefly at this article and other comments coming to the conclusion that at most, 60-65% RH and under is desirable to prevent most fungal issues. You are correct in that any other fungicides could lead to gassing out and cause more unnecessary problems. Maybe a larger house which my wife is always looking for is in order LOL.

 

[grain elevator]

Maybe the easiest course of action (other than hoarding less gear) is improving the venting of that shower? I'm highly doubtful that silica gel does anything if it's not in sealed containers.

 

[DREW WILEY]

We get coastal fog much of the year. Basic readily available Dri-Out or Damp Rid desiccant canisters work better in confined spaces than silica gel, and are much cheaper to use. Dehumidfiers tend to be energy intensive, and are not likely to be seriously effective in those closed-off places. And one cannot realistically use fungicides on things like lenses.

 

[ymc226]

We get coastal fog much of the year. Basic readily available Dri-Out or Damp Rid desiccant canisters work better in confined spaces than silica gel, and are much cheaper to use. Dehumidfiers tend to be energy intensive, and are not likely to be seriously effective in those closed-off places. And one cannot realistically use fungicides on things like lenses.

I have used Damp Rid in my closets when I lived on the East Coast, but not to protect camera gear. Would one be concerned that the chemicals used to adsorb the moisture sublimate and then form a film on the lenses? I don't know if this is a concern with silica gel packs but as it is commonly used; I've never read of any issues with silica in this regard.

Maybe the easiest course of action (other than hoarding less gear) is improving the venting of that shower? I'm highly doubtful that silica gel does anything if it's not in sealed containers.

I believe you are right regarding the silica gel effectiveness in unsealed drawers but I do see an approximately modest 5% decrease from using large 500gm x 3 packs/drawer. I actually got one drawer down to <50% RH but with lots of effort using the dehumidifier as well in the closet. It's pretty quiet so will not disturb sleep. The bath is already vented quite well using 2 exhaust fans.

 

[Besk]

Personally, I am not comfortable unless the humidity is 50% or below for film/slides.
Equipment wise, you are probably ok with 50 to 60% humidity.

 

[mshchem]

Just don't keep your drawer so cold that water condenses on your camera when you dash out. Salt air is another factor. In my chemistry days we used Drierite, IIRC, Calcium Sulfate that included Cobalt chloride (??) that changed color when exhausted.
I suspect that many silica gel packs include an indicator.

A new never used picnic ice chest might be useful to use for a dry box???

Here in Iowa I run a dehumidifier in my darkroom. It doesn't run in the dry winter months.

At least you have the beach to compensate you for the cost of the silica gel

 

[Ian David]

Have a look at electric dry cabinets, or is that what you already have for some of your stuff? They are not seriously expensive and do a much better job than silica gel, and you don't need to keep recharging them. I live in a humid part of the world and I aim for a humidity level of around 40-45% for lenses

 

[DREW WILEY]

With Damp Rid etc (calcium chloride canisters), there is no worry with respect to those chemicals sublimating into the surrounding atmosphere. They're highly hydroscopic. But you want to be darn sure none of it gets on your hands or gets spilled (dry or wet) or
even a drop of it gets on any of your gear or shelving, because it's very difficult to completely remove, and turns any surface into a moisture magnet. Terrible for leather. So when canisters need recharging with fresh crystals, or disposal, you want to be careful. But that solution is energy passive and highly effective in confined spaces like camera or gun safes, or drawers and closet shelves. But silica gel has to be baked out quite often under similar circumstances.