Electronic Dehumidfiers (aka Dry Boxes) for DSLRs
Apr 9, 2017 07:53:27 #
Cryppy
Loc: Gouldsboro, ME
Just this morning, I discovered the existence of Dry Boxes. I haven't noticed any humidity/condensation problems in any of my bodies or lenses but I'm under the impression that fungus can also be an insidious invader of photographic equipment. I live on the Maine coast very near the ocean and I store my gear on shelves in a closet. A relative newcomer to photography, all of my equipment is 8 years old or younger. What's the prevailing wisdom from those of you who've been proactive in preventing humidity problems by using a Dry Box of some sort, and from those of you who've experienced camera and/or lens humidity problems and solved them through the use of Dehumidifiers? Also, are there effective methods of humidity prevention that don't require the expenditure of several hundred dollars for a good sized cabinet?
Apr 9, 2017 08:08:57 #
Personally I think if you were going to notice a problem you would have by now, do you have any other moisture problems? I'm about 1/2 mile from the Arthur Kill in Staten Island, no problems, I would be concerned if I lived in an area that encouraged mold or mildew but we don't have that either. I do not wrap up my equipment storing it more openly on shelves , in a back pack or duffel bag or my desktop, where my T1i is right now, air circulation is my friend though I do have to dust once in a while, Bob.
Apr 9, 2017 08:15:14 #
Good morning. Well I have had a camera in my hands for just about 60 years and have never had any troubles with them getting wet from humidity. If I am out and it starts to rain, I just tuck it under my coat. Most of the high end Nikons seem to be sealed good from what I have heard. I think they are over kill, just being careful would save you some money.:):)
Apr 9, 2017 08:15:59 #
Cryppy
Loc: Gouldsboro, ME
Thanks, Bob. I should have mentioned that, yes, mold and mildew is a common problem in this area.
Apr 9, 2017 08:18:05 #
mas24
Loc: Southern CA
If you are living in a high humidity location such as Florida, and others as well, that box would be very welcome. Fungus growing in your glass is the last thing anyone wants.
Apr 9, 2017 08:19:20 #
I live in SW Florida, and never a humidity / moisture problem with any of my camera's over the years. If it were going to be a problem you'd think it would be prevalent down here. And, some cameras have been in a shut up, non air conditioned house over the summer months while we were snow birds.
Apr 9, 2017 08:30:25 #
I lived in Trescott on Cobscook Bay for years - just "down a piece" from you - for five years and never had any problems. The worst situation for equipment is to go from air conditioning into a hot humid environment - moisture quickly condenses on and in cameras and lenses. However - if I was worried I would just keep my camera and lenses in a large plastic tote from your friendly Walmart Store in Ellsworth and place in it either a "Damp-Rid" can (which collects water in it and would damage equipment if spilled) or better yet a canister of rechargeable silica gel:
http://www.amazon.com/Lockdown-Silica-Gel-750-grams/dp/B004QUIWAA/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1491740912&sr=8-3&keywords=silica+gel+canister
http://www.amazon.com/Lockdown-Silica-Gel-750-grams/dp/B004QUIWAA/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1491740912&sr=8-3&keywords=silica+gel+canister
Apr 9, 2017 09:10:53 #
sb wrote:
I lived in Trescott on Cobscook Bay for years - ju... (show quote)
A caution about Damp-Rid type collectors, years ago I was told that they contained calcium chloride as a agent, not something you want near your cameras, boaters using them were advised to put them in a large plastic bucket when using them to de-humidify. I'd check the contents if they were getting anywhere near my cameras.
Apr 9, 2017 09:30:06 #
I lost a Sigma zoom lens to fungus a few years ago. Other lenses were not affected. Unfortunately my camera case was sitting on the floor and we have pier and beam and water may have gotten under the house causing humidity.
Apr 9, 2017 10:03:35 #
Cryppy
Loc: Gouldsboro, ME
Many thanks. The gel canister sounds like a good option for me at this point.
Apr 9, 2017 11:02:09 #
sb wrote:
http://www.amazon.com/Lockdown-Silica-Gel-750-grams/dp/B004QUIWAA/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1491740912&sr=8-3&keywords=silica+gel+canister
Thank you, saves an internet search. I've used the golden rod dehumidifier on boats to keep mildew away, should work in an enclosed and ventilated cabinet like a steelcase:
https://www.amazon.com/Golden-Rod-24-Dehumidifier/dp/B00D1WYZ1Y/ref=pd_sim_200_4?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B00D1WYZ1Y&pd_rd_r=ZEF470VTETRJP9EC359Q&pd_rd_w=fFmkZ&pd_rd_wg=7qkJI&psc=1&refRID=ZEF470VTETRJP9EC359Q
Apr 9, 2017 20:50:36 #
Ruggard just announced two electronic dry cabinets for camera storage. You can pre-order them from B&H now. They have other makes as well.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/buy/dry_cabinet/Ntt/dry+cabinet/N/0
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/buy/dry_cabinet/Ntt/dry+cabinet/N/0
Apr 10, 2017 05:59:37 #
photoman022
Loc: Manchester CT USA
I wouldn't worry about ambient humidity; I live in Connecticut and we have hot, humid summer days. I WOULD worry about winter shooting and taking my equipment from a very cold environment into my heated house. I leave the gear in the unheated garage for a while and then transfer it to the laundry room (also unheated but a bit warmer than the garage) after that (usually about 2 hours between both unheated places) I take it into the house.
Apr 10, 2017 07:10:18 #
Wanderer2
Loc: Colorado Rocky Mountains
I keep one of these in my camera bag when in high humidity areas. Very inexpensive, reasonable compact, and easy to use - recharges by being plugged into an electrical outlet.
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00V5YLAXG/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00V5YLAXG/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Apr 10, 2017 07:10:49 #
When I served as a Marine photographer in Vietnam in 1965-66, we needed a "dry box" to keep our photo equipment from fungus. We took an old wooden box, about 2x4x2 feet, that we "found" unattended on the Air Force side of the Danang Air Base, and installed a 60 watt light bulb in it, plugged it in, and had no difficulties with fungus in / on our Nikon F cameras or lenses.
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