hannaco Loc: People's Republic of California

Humidity of one possible down fall of long term storage.

What if . . . the equipment were vacuum sealed in plastic 'bags'?

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

May I suggest desiccants. You can buy them in many photography stores as well as on line. As a pharmacist, I save the little desiccants that come in the bulk bottles. Ask you neighborhood pharmacist is he could save them for you and how you would like to use them.

SnappyHappy Loc: Chapin, SC “The Capitol of Lake Murray”

I can speak only to my personal experience, yours may differ. Some of my equipment I’ve owned for 48-49 years while experiencing no problems due to my storage practices...which is to store my cameras, lenses and flash heads dry, away from direct sunlight and (most of the long term storage time) in some sort of protective case. Humidity is a major factor in my local climate too, but so far, hasn’t created a need to do anything more. Hope this helps.

Grahame Loc: Fiji

Fine if you can guarantee that any residual air left inside after vacuum sealing is moisture and fungus free.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Bags must be of the type that do not "outgas" or break down over time. The gas will deposit a film on everything it comes in contact with, and lenses will fog internally over time. Bags used in clean rooms are generally made of materials like ULO (ultra low outgassing polyethylene), or virgin LDPE, that have minimal outgassing. Your average run of the mill supermarket ziplok bags are usually made by materials that do break down over time.

https://www.cleanroomsupply.com/ulo-ultra-low-outgassing-poly-film-p-10356.html

https://www.degagecorp.com/education-detail.php?cid=25

Silica gel is ok, but it removes moisture by adsorption (not absorption) and must be dried once they adsorb to capacity, and they really only work in a sealed environment. Molecular sieves of grade 3A, 4A or 5A are more efficient, but a system must be designed to provide proper airflow and a means of recharging by chemical, heat or vacuum.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molecular_sieve

Dry cabinets designed specifically for storage of instruments and glass that can be adversely affected by moisture and the corresponding mold it can cause are available. One design is like a sealed wine cabinet or laboratory incubator that has both temperature and humidity control, or a portable unit that can be placed in any cabinet or closet. Both use a Peltier - a hybrid adsorption/thermo-electric device that removes airborne moisture. The hybrid devices also employ a bag of dessicant.

https://www.adorama.com/sledc125hs.html?gclid=CjwKCAiAgJWABhArEiwAmNVTBz4UM8BnWnR6mfvgsYOj8Sx59Efi2JYVwtuxpvvAMzgElVFChzA30BoCghkQAvD_BwE&utm_source=adl-gbase

https://www.eva-dry.com/product/edv-1100-petite-dehumidifier/

https://labincubators.net/blogs/blog/peltier-vs-compressor-based-cooling

I would not use vacuum-seal bags or ziplock for more than very temporary storage - like a day or two.

Winslowe

Long periods of disuse is detrimental to photo equipment, no matter how it is stored.

MSW

i recently started taking my gear out of storage after almost 20 years. Most of it was in cardboard boxes wrapped in packing paper, in my basement here in southeast Vermont, and i haven't had any problems. There is a dehumidifier, which i run on a constant basis, and i empty it out every day. No problems except a flashlight where i forgot to take out the batteries ... bye bye flashlight.

your mileage may vary

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

I use this, it controls the humidity, my equipment is very expensive, it deserves and needs the best.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1348545-REG/ruggard_edc_120l_electronic_dry_cabinet_120l.html?sts=pi&pim=Y

rlv567 Loc: Baguio City, Philippines

Years ago, when I was working as a Research Chemist, some of the sealants we formulated were cured by humidity. In looking for the best packaging materials for long shelf life, I tested/evaluated a number of potential candidates. Some were just one component, while others were multi-layer, even with aluminum foil as one barrier. Obviously, some were better than others, but there was nothing which was impermeable. SO – be careful with regard to protecting equipment in bags.

Loren – in Beautiful Baguio City

rlv567 Loc: Baguio City, Philippines

I use a temperature/humidity control cabinet, which works quite well. Mine is the Andbon, the source is Lazada, and it was relatively inexpensive. It is available in several sizes. I don't know what Amazon or others in the US may offer, and they most likely are costly.

Loren - in Beautiful Baguio City

Jack 13088 Loc: Central NY

There is a long history of high technology for safe storage of “stuff” call it archival storage or preservation. Leaders like the National Archives, Library of Congress, any number of museums and academic institutions sponsor and use that technology. I observe that vacuum has no place in any of that technology. As HVAC guys know vacuum is used to dry out equipment and remove “contaminates” that include coatings and lubricants. In fact time in space can wield parts together. Me thinks you don’t want that for your camera and lenses.

olemikey Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida

You are smart to have that dehumidifier running full time...otherwise the outcome would/could have been very different...from a Florida POV (full time whole house AC, dehumidifier, and a small UV-C light in each armoire that contains electronics/cameras & lenses/radios, etc. I have some gear that is from the 70's/80's that still look new, and function well.... and a few that were forgotten, not stored as well, did not do well!!

Sinewsworn Loc: Port Orchard, WA

I use a gun safe with an electric dehumidifier. Cameras are in a separate compartment from the guns.

Martys Loc: Lubec, Maine

I have used rugged 1 pound stitched canvas bags of Silica Gel,....they came packed in 50 gallon containers of dry and powdered goods, ingredients used in the manufacturing of ice cream such as stabilizers and powdered flavorings.
I worked at an ice cream plant many years ago, they gladly gave them away.
I've always kept the bags packed in a large trunk containing my excess equipment that too was plastic wrapped and sealed with smaller silica packets,..all gear functions have consistently remained operational with no side effects.
Just thought I'd mention that should it conjure up similar availability to readers here on UHH.