Equipment Storage
Oct 14, 2014 12:00:50 #
What is the recommended temperature and humidity range for safe storage of cameras and lenses? Thanks
Oct 14, 2014 12:09:51 #
DavidPine
Loc: Fredericksburg, TX
Welcome to UHH? I don't have an "exact" formula to answer your question. I treat mine like I treat my computers. If you are putting them away in long term storage I would recommend the manufactures recommendations.
Oct 14, 2014 12:18:37 #
Put em away in a cool dry place for long term storage but for short term just keep em clean and dry. Don't put em away wet or if they've fogged up. Make sure they are dry and all the fogged up glass is clear, then keep em dry. If you put them away wet or fogged up you risk mold building up on the inside of the glass. That isn't good.
Oct 14, 2014 12:45:30 #
I'm a computer guy and a lot of my products I order for my customers come with a little silica gel bag in them to absorb moisture. After an incident in Kenya last year when I came out of a cool, dry building early in the morning into a warm humid outdoors and fogged my 55-300 Nikkor right before a photo safari, I've always kept a bunch of silica gel in my bag and have tried to let the bag acclimate to the ambient temperature and humidity before I pull any gear out. You can get a whole box of silica gel packets from Amazon or ebay if you don't have a steady source like I do. They turn brown when they are saturated. You just put them in the oven on low for a while, they turn white and they're ready to go again. I'd do this for long term storage or day to day to help keep from getting mold. Once there's mold in lenses, forget about it, the repair is worse than buying another lens in many cases. Hope this helps.
Oct 14, 2014 14:17:52 #
Check your owners manual - it usually gives the limits for temp and humidity for operating and storage.
I keep silica packets in my camera/lens bags
Amazon - silica gel packets -
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_6/176-8346222-3701643?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=silica%20gel%20packets&sprefix=silica%2Caps%2C220
I keep silica packets in my camera/lens bags
Amazon - silica gel packets -
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_6/176-8346222-3701643?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=silica%20gel%20packets&sprefix=silica%2Caps%2C220
Oct 15, 2014 06:58:00 #
Jfholly wrote:
What is the recommended temperature and humidity range for safe storage of cameras and lenses? Thanks
I save all those little silica packs that come with products, and I put them in with equipment.
Oct 15, 2014 07:42:20 #
jerryc41 wrote:
I save all those little silica packs that come with products, and I put them in with equipment.
Yes, I do too. I've got a quart/litre-size jar in the kitchen, and any of the silica packs I "find" go in there. After just two years it is 3/4 full, Plus I've got a few of them in my camera bag, and in the drawer where I keep some photo-stuff.
It's amazing where you find these little packets, look for them with anything you buy!
Oct 15, 2014 07:50:55 #
Morning Star wrote:
Yes, I do too. I've got a quart/litre-size jar in the kitchen, and any of the silica packs I "find" go in there. After just two years it is 3/4 full, Plus I've got a few of them in my camera bag, and in the drawer where I keep some photo-stuff.
It's amazing where you find these little packets, look for them with anything you buy!
It's amazing where you find these little packets, look for them with anything you buy!
Have you ever tried to dry them out, assuming they picked up moisture? There's no way to tell, just looking at the packet.
Oct 15, 2014 07:57:12 #
Jfholly wrote:
What is the recommended temperature and humidity range for safe storage of cameras and lenses? Thanks
What kind of "storage" are you talking about.? A lot depends upon what the climate is where you live. And or if you are talking about day to day or long term. Another consideration is what kind of abuse you put your gear through. Too many situations to give a clear response
Oct 15, 2014 08:08:14 #
Before putting anything in long term storage, take the batteries out if possible. It is also best if you put a full charge on your batteries, then drain them down to about half before storing them.
Oct 15, 2014 08:11:41 #
jerryc41 wrote:
Have you ever tried to dry them out, assuming they picked up moisture? There's no way to tell, just looking at the packet.
I haven't. For areas where moisture levels are critical, you can buy silica in bags that indicate when the silica has absorbed about 60% of its weight in moisture:
http://www.silicagelpackets.ca/indicating-silica-gel-packets-and-indicator-cards/indicating-silica-gel-packets/
Also available are moisture indicator cards:
http://www.silicagelpackets.ca/indicating-silica-gel-packets-and-indicator-cards/humidity-indicator-cards/
It seems that the general consensus is, that silical gel turns brown when it has absorbed moisture, but there seems to be no reference to that on this website. Nor have I ever seen any of my packets or its contents change colour.
Oct 15, 2014 09:54:02 #
jerryc41 wrote:
I save all those little silica packs that come with products, and I put them in with equipment.
I do the same and sometimes I find those tiny beads everywhere! I don't keep any equipment in attic or basement or leave in my car. Everything is stored in my house either in a photo bag or an old dresser.
Oct 15, 2014 11:07:06 #
Not long term, just storage while not in use. Live in Midwest and wondered about in a non heated garage in a cabinet. Thanks for all of your advise.
Oct 15, 2014 12:01:53 #
Before I retired, I used a silica type material in water control stations in Louisiana. The silica was in a clear plastic tube with openings on the ends. When the silica was first placed in the tube, it was dark blue, and as it removed moisture, the color turned pink. To re-new the silica you put in the oven at 200 degrees, until the silica returned to blue. It could be re-used forever doing this. It was used to keep computer equipment in remote areas dry from all the humidity in the bayous.
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Oct 15, 2014 12:14:34 #
Jfholly wrote:
Not long term, just storage while not in use. Live in Midwest and wondered about in a non heated garage in a cabinet. Thanks for all of your advise.
As it can get very cold (well below 0 ) in some parts of the Midwest Storing in any unheated space is not a good idea. It probably even is not recommended in the camera manual
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