I should have placed a ‘lol’ after my joke.Some folks give that advice when they are not joking.
My imagination just came up with the fridge idea after thinking of a bigger cabinet…
How do you manage humidity when storing large telephoto lenses?
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My imagination just came up with the fridge idea after thinking of a bigger cabinet…
RedSparrow
New member
I have my 800PF zipped up in a Think Tank Backlight 36L with 2 pouches of approx 250gm of silica gel in pouches which I regenerate once I know the humidity reaches above 55%
I have an Aqara Temp & Humidity sensor in the bag & it’s sending continuous readings to my iPhone (can see it in the home app & on my Lock Screen)
I have set up an IFTTT trigger to send me an email when it’s above 50%
It only takes 20 min at 750 watts to regenerate. Use a super table Corning type utensil to heat
I have an Aqara Temp & Humidity sensor in the bag & it’s sending continuous readings to my iPhone (can see it in the home app & on my Lock Screen)
I have set up an IFTTT trigger to send me an email when it’s above 50%
It only takes 20 min at 750 watts to regenerate. Use a super table Corning type utensil to heat
RedSparrow
New member
Keep it between 40-50% & you’ll be fine. Don’t quote me but the internet says <40% can dry out the lubricants & seals. How true??
RedSparrow
New member
Buy colour changing silica gel in bulk. It’s cheaper & makes sense as you can alter the amount in each bag/case/box
Fungus can start as a web-like growth on the lens surface, causing a slight loss of brightness and contrast. As it progresses, the fungus can etch the lens's outer coating, ultimately impacting image sharpness. In theory, you can kill fungus with exposure to bright sunlight or UV light, but it does not guaranty the fungus is gone. If you have any damage to the lens from fungus, it's not practical to repair it and the value of the lens is significantly impacted.
Fungus thrives in moist, dark, and confined spaces, and can grow on lenses when dust containing fungal spores combines with moisture. So storing a lens in a lens case can be the worst possible choice if you have higher humidity and warm air. If the lens has been used in warm, humid conditions and then stored immediately, you are storing the lens with warm, humid air in a dark environment and adding risk of fungus. Likewise after use, don't immediately store your camera bags fully closed and zipped as the camera bag can introduce conditions for growth of fungus.
Here are the specific conditions to encourage fungus - so you want to avoid these conditions.
I store lenses on open shelves in a well ventilated closet in a room that has air conditioning and moderately low humidity (around 50% or lower). If they are in lens cases, the cases are left open. Less frequently used lenses and cameras are stored in the same closet with a cotton towel serving as a dust cover. Camera bags are kept out and open for 24 hours after returning home so any humidity in the bag can normalize.
Fungus thrives in moist, dark, and confined spaces, and can grow on lenses when dust containing fungal spores combines with moisture. So storing a lens in a lens case can be the worst possible choice if you have higher humidity and warm air. If the lens has been used in warm, humid conditions and then stored immediately, you are storing the lens with warm, humid air in a dark environment and adding risk of fungus. Likewise after use, don't immediately store your camera bags fully closed and zipped as the camera bag can introduce conditions for growth of fungus.
Here are the specific conditions to encourage fungus - so you want to avoid these conditions.
- Humidity: A relative humidity of 70% or higher for at least 3 days
- Temperature: 70 degrees and higher
- Airflow: Little to no air circulation
- Darkness: Dark environments
- Nutrients: Dust, dirt, grease, varnish, or textile lint
I store lenses on open shelves in a well ventilated closet in a room that has air conditioning and moderately low humidity (around 50% or lower). If they are in lens cases, the cases are left open. Less frequently used lenses and cameras are stored in the same closet with a cotton towel serving as a dust cover. Camera bags are kept out and open for 24 hours after returning home so any humidity in the bag can normalize.
RedSparrow
New member
You are very right. Fungal spores are ubiquitous & need a warm & damp environment. Aeration while keeping dust away is the best policy. I have the dubious claim of having a Nikkor 800mm & 500mm lenses but no camera, hence my lenses are resting in my bag awaiting a Z9!
Here in soggy Virginia I use a large dehumidifier with a pump in my cellar. It keeps the whole space at ~40% and protects the books, printss, etc. that I keep there as well. I keep the photo gear on a shelf either in it's cases or covered with a soft cloth to keep out dust.
I am less worried about humidity than dust and just easy storage in a small space.
I keep Z9 with Z800f/6.3 mounted and a Z9 with Z600 f/6.3 or shorter lenses in the predecessor (key lock not a combo) for this Ruggard cabinet 80L. I do not use the shelf. I use the Ruggard 120 L replaced by the 125 L I believe for all of my other bodies, lenses, speed lights etc.
I keep Z9 with Z800f/6.3 mounted and a Z9 with Z600 f/6.3 or shorter lenses in the predecessor (key lock not a combo) for this Ruggard cabinet 80L. I do not use the shelf. I use the Ruggard 120 L replaced by the 125 L I believe for all of my other bodies, lenses, speed lights etc.
BakerBrad
New member
This is an interesting discussion. I have been considering such a cabinet since returning from Costa Rica earlier this year. I stored my gear in ziploc bags with plenty of dessicator packs when I returned, but this isn't really optimal. I have never encountered a problem in several decades of owning Nikon equipment, but the rain forest environment certainly opened my eyes to the risks.
Does the modern weather protection built into many lenses offer any protection against high humidity? I have never seen this question addressed.
Does the modern weather protection built into many lenses offer any protection against high humidity? I have never seen this question addressed.
It helps for short periods, but over time the humidity and temperature equalize. So you can fog internal elements and they are at risk for fungus even with weather sealing.
SHC
Member
I recently learned the hard way about the need for proper storage. My home is climate controlled, so I never expected any issues, but after selling my D500, I decided to also sell off my 16-80 DX lens. I rarely used it, but it was great to throw in my bag with my 300 f/4 if I wanted to travel light. Anyway, I sent it MPB, and they said that it had fungus damage. Some back in forth in our communication convinced me they were accurate in their assessment. I checked my other lenses, and they were all fine. The one difference was that I stored the 16-80 in a neoprene LensCoat bag when not in use, and I think that must have trapped moisture over a long period of time. As I just acquired some Z lenses, I decided to also purchase a Ruggard 125L dry cabinet to avoid any repeated issues. I also keep Barska desiccant packs in my bag when traveling. So far, so good.
BTW - the Ruggard 125L model fits an 800mm f6.3 if it is stored diagonally on a shelf.
BTW - the Ruggard 125L model fits an 800mm f6.3 if it is stored diagonally on a shelf.
Winston Churchill (Sir)
Well-known member
I have a whole camera room with a large de-humidifyer set at 50. In winter I extract at least 5 lt per week. No issue in summer
Don't be fooled by thinking you don't have an issue. Check your humidity - check your gear.
I also have pouches for me vehicle when I overland - they are incredible and no condensation on the vehicle windows at 24 F when I camped a month ago.
Gear is expensive - and I replaced all my gear last year. I have no intention of doing that again in a hurry
Don't be fooled by thinking you don't have an issue. Check your humidity - check your gear.
I also have pouches for me vehicle when I overland - they are incredible and no condensation on the vehicle windows at 24 F when I camped a month ago.
Gear is expensive - and I replaced all my gear last year. I have no intention of doing that again in a hurry
fcotterill
Well-known member
I have 1 litre perforated tin full of silica gel inside a rifle safe. Approx once / year the gel is dessicated in the oven set to low heat to dry off any hygroscopic water
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Anyone use a dry case or cabinet?
I have a Sony 400mm 2.8 on backorder and I'm wondering if I should get a dry cabinet or case for mold prevention.
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