What I would do is just store them elsewhere and bring it down to the basement when you need them.
I keep my lenses in my basement darkroom here in damp New England. I have a dehumidifier in the darkroom, and another for the rest of the basement, both set to 40%. The one the darkroom is on a shelf, arranged to drain into the sink. No problems yet.
I have no hard data, but 40% feels comfortably dry. Without the dehumidifiers it's about 80% humidity down there in the summer. That definitely feels damp and I'd worry about fungus and mold in general.Is 40% relative humidity a pretty good target to avoid fungus? I don't have the air conditioner running today and the humidity in the house is now around 45-46%.
You can store all of your lens in a box with packets of silica gel, or you move to Arizona, today about 9%.
I have no hard data, but 40% feels comfortably dry. Without the dehumidifiers it's about 80% humidity down there in the summer. That definitely feels damp and I'd worry about fungus and mold in general.
It's just a hunch, but I'd expect lenses to less susceptible to mold and fungus than lots of other darkroom items like enlarger bellows and enlarging paper.
It's an unwritten convention of photography Julie never to leave lenses of any kind in a darkroom, not only because of dangers from humidity, but also chemical fumes .
Humidity 55 or less.
Julie-if possible, store your lenses and paper outside of the darkroom. Not only for fungus but, if you do any sulphide toning, the toner can fog your paper.
I have a dehumidifier running full time in the lens/ paper room (directly outside of the darkroom). In DC's hot, humid summer, it's removing about 3.5 - 4 gallons of water every 24 hours. I don't run one in the darkroom while working- only after sessions. I don't like the noise, and it will actually suck up the water from your chemicals ( probably only noticeable during long sessions, though).
The humidity indoors during Ottawa's winter will probably help.
Air flow also helps. If you seal up your lenses in a humid environment, fungus is encouraged. If your lenses are open to the air in a busy hall way, not so much.
Dear Julie,
The humidity number you gave are super. If it stays that way you will be fine.
Enjoy your new darkroom,
Neal Wydra
+1I keep my lenses in my basement darkroom here in damp New England. I have a dehumidifier in the darkroom, and another for the rest of the basement, both set to 40%. The one the darkroom is on a shelf, arranged to drain into the sink. No problems yet.
What I would do is just store them elsewhere and bring it down to the basement when you need them.
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