Electronic Dry Cabinet: Does anyone use an electronic dry cabinate to store their camera gear as well as protect it from humidity and dust?? Would you recommend it? And if so, how big...

BarbB

Does anyone use an electronic dry cabinate to store their camera gear as well as protect it from humidity and dust?? Would you recommend it? And if so, how big is it and how much does it hold?

Bill_de Loc: US

Unless you live in an overly humid environment with no A/C or dehumidifier in your house, maybe. Otherwise it seems like overkill. I keep my gear in a cabinet just to keep normal dust from settling on the stuff.

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BebuLamar

I wonder how it works? There are many ways to make the air dry but some methods I don't like.

petercbrandt Loc: New York City, Manhattan

I've been a pro phot0'g since 1964 and have never heard of an electronic dry box !?

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Bill_de wrote:

Unless you live in an overly humid environment with no A/C or dehumidifier in your house, maybe. Otherwise it seems like overkill. I keep my gear in a cabinet just to keep normal dust from settling on the stuff.

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BarbB

Here is a link to one that B&H is selling..It seems to be a cabinate, that closes like a refrigerator does, and controls humidity control and prevents dust from setting on camera gear. It does not control temperature.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1282132-REG/ruggard_edc_80l_electronic_dry_cabinet_80l.html
I was looking to get a cabinate to store my camera gear, and came across this, so that's why I raised the question. To see if anyone has had experience with something like this

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Bill_de wrote:

Unless you live in an overly humid environment with no A/C or dehumidifier in your house, maybe. Otherwise it seems like overkill. I keep my gear in a cabinet just to keep normal dust from settling on the stuff.

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I keep my photo gear in a cabinet. Our home has AC so that solves the problem of needing a Dry Cabinet.
This is the cabinet I use. Made my Gladiator. I bought it at Lowe's.
http://www.garageappeal.com/gladiatorweldedsteeltallgearbox.aspx

Bill_de Loc: US

I built mine only 10 inches deep. I tend to lose things in deep cabinets.

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Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida

Barb, I have been using one for about a year and I really like it. Mine has four shelves. I'm currently down to two large DSLRs and an assortment of lenses, flashes, etc. I have had as many as four cameras in the cabinet at one time along with the other stuff. It wasn't cheap and probably isn't necessary but I like it for two reasons. 1. I'm in central Florida. We run the air conditioning all summer so humidity isn't much of a problem then. However, we don't run the air for 6 months or more and we seldom use heat during this time. The humidity can be quite high and I just feel better with all my cameras and lenses stored this way. 2. It is a very neat and compact way to store my equipment. I keep it organized and everything is together and I can always find what I need. The cabinet has a glass front and interior lighting. The shelves also pull out for easy access.

I realize it may be overkill but I like it and that's all that matters!

suneth Loc: Sri Lanka

I brought a dry cabinet (30L – smaller one) about a week ago. I’m keeping the humidity level about 45. But after a power outage (about 4 hours) humidity level is going up to normal level (about 70) although I haven’t open the cabinet door. I’m bit worried about it. Have you ever experienced something like this ?

Cwilson341 wrote:

Barb, I have been using one for about a year and I... (show quote)

10MPlayer Loc: California

It sounds like something you might need in a tropical climate. Not needed here in N. California. Very dry here except in winter. I keep my stuff in my camera bag in the closet.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

BarbB wrote:

Does anyone use an electronic dry cabinate to store their camera gear as well as protect it from humidity and dust?? Would you recommend it? And if so, how big is it and how much does it hold?

This sounds like something you would use for very old, very valuable, very important, and very delicate artifacts. I'm sure no one has ever experienced camera failure from keeping it in the house they are living in.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

suneth wrote:

I brought a dry cabinet (30L – smaller one) about a week ago. I’m keeping the humidity level about 45. But after a power outage (about 4 hours) humidity level is going up to normal level (about 70) although I haven’t open the cabinet door. I’m bit worried about it. Have you ever experienced something like this ?

Can you give us a link for that?

On Amazon -

https://smile.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=dry+cabinet&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Adry+cabinet

Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida

suneth wrote:

I brought a dry cabinet (30L – smaller one) about a week ago. I’m keeping the humidity level about 45. But after a power outage (about 4 hours) humidity level is going up to normal level (about 70) although I haven’t open the cabinet door. I’m bit worried about it. Have you ever experienced something like this ?

I haven't. We lost power for several days after hurricane Irma with no subsequent problems. Probably a dumb question but, have you checked to be sure it didn't just lose settings during the outage? I also put an inexpensive humidity gauge inside the cabinet to double check the levels. They never match but are close.

My main concern is mold. It would make me sick to develop mold in my lenses.

ajcotterell

In Vietnam, USMC 1965, we used an old ammo box (about 2 x 3 x 20") with a 40-watt light bulb inside to ward off the intense Vietnam humidity. We stored 4 Nikon F's and a few lenses for about a year and a half and had no fungus or other issues with the gear stored there between our forays into the jungles. There are probably more efficient / attractive alternatives today.