Haden123

I have several cameras (both film and digital) that I do not plan to use for several months. Is there any reason why I should not store the cameras and their related lenses in Ziploc bags in a closet where the temperature is heated/cooled to 73° to 78°F with 50% to 60% humidity?

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

I have an inordinate number of cameras and associated lenses. Mine are stored on shelves in a closet. Some are stored in the carrying cases I usually take with me. None are in plastic bags. I just don't feel comfortable about doing the bag thing.
--Bob

Jakebrake Loc: Broomfield, Colorado

Ditto...

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Zip-locks will protect from any water damage. Not probable.
(FL hurricane prep I did - place sensitive valuables and papers in plastic bags and seal.)

My equipment just lives in the camera bags in the closet. (Been doing that for over 45 years.)

Haden123

Thanks Bob. For years I have been storing my cameras and lenses exactly the way you do. I was hoping the Ziploc bags would keep dust, humidity and fungus away from the cameras/lenses more effectively. Any reason for your discomfort about using Ziploc bags?

I have noticed that some Hogs put dehumidifier sachets in their storage bags but I have been uncomfortable about potential effects of the chemicals on cameras/lenses. Any thoughts?

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

I have no rational explanation for the avoidance of using Ziploc bags. As for dehumidifier sachets, camera equipment I've purchased a lot of photographic equipment that has arrived with dehumidifier sachets inside. I generally distribute them to my various camera bags.
--Bob

Haden123

Thanks Bob – that’s very helpful!

Dr.Nikon Loc: Honolulu Hawaii

I too store .., in a large Fire King safe from Japan ...I went to a safe manufacturer and distributing company in N California when my brother went to buy a large gun safe .. I notice 4 safes across the office counter ..., holds their valuable .., yep .. you guest it all were my same FireKing from Japan .., when I asked why they didn’t use their own safes they manufacture ...they merely said the FireKing is the best and is totally fireproof ... OK end of the ad...

My point .., I store my camera cards and cameras/lenses in Freezer Ziplock Bags that have jel pacs placed inside ...the thing about gel pacs .. A.) get industrial ones B.) change them out frequently ..as a gel pac that absorbs moister can get full of absorbed moister and be a source of moisture itself .. defeating the purpose entirely ..I live in Hawaii .., lots of Moister ...Lucky Bob lives in Dry AZ ...where I will move to soon ... TIP :I like to Buy used lenses and cameras from AZ .. .., my external hard drives are kept in this FireProof safe as well where I have large Industrial gel PACs laying lose ..

tinplater Loc: Scottsdale, AZ

Since most cameras that have survived 50 to 100 years probably did so without any out of ordinary protection. My Minolta is at 55 years, several canon bodies and lenses are 40+ and all just existing in my closet with no issues that I am aware of. All used within the past two years without any problem.

Haden123

Thank you both for your insights! Like tinplater, I have never worried much about how to store my camera bodies or lenses. However, I have recently read articles online warning about fungus that can invade lenses and dust that can invade sensors so I started worrying about storage. I feel better now!

Woodsman Loc: North of Peterborough Ontario

Mine are in camera bags, battery removed. Something about leaving the battery in the camera when not used for long term bothers me in case of leakage. But that is just me. I think silica packs would be a good idea. I also have security cams and one started to suffer from condensation last summer and I found that they came with silica packs inside the housing to stop this from happening. I changed the pack in the camera with a new one and condensation problem solved. Its a known fix in the security cam world for condensation inside the camera housing so I doubt it would have any negative impact on being with the equipment in a bag.

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

I do keep certain seldom used items in good quality Ziplock type bags with a sachet of silica gel as it can get damp around here. I find the bags keep dust, and othere contaminants away form the gear and I never had an issue with heavier gages of polyethylene.

I am careful NOT to use any of those equipment cases with hard foam or foam type protective material for long term storage . I discovered that some of those materials can begin to breakdown, gas off and become adhered to the equipment. It can attack certain plastics with a solvent kinda action and is impossible to clean.

Haden123

Many thanks to all of you for your replies which have been extremely useful! I think that removing camera batteries before extended nonuse - say two weeks - is an excellent idea. I have ordered the silica packs and will have them by the beginning of next week. I hope everyone had an excellent Thanksgiving and got some great family photos.

Bipod

No -- as long as the cameras are perfectly dry when you put them into the bags.

Just to be sure, you could include a packet of silica gel dissicant in each bag.
With cameras, the lower the humidity, the better. Water vapor encourages corrosion.

Try to find the kind that turns blue when it's exhausted and can be "recharged" in the oven.
Amzon.com sellers have quite a few different kinds.

Flexible plastic bags don't block gas or water vapor, just slow it down (that's why bread often
comes in a cellophane inner wrapper). So plastic containers that seal tightly are even better
than bags. Or use both

Slide-lock freezer storage bags are tough and easy to open and close.

One common problem is the condenstation that forms on a cold camera when it's indoors in the
wintertime. Plastic bag to the rescue! Take a bag outside, put the camera in it, and then seal it
before you bring it inside. Let the camera warm up, the move it to its storage bag.

For long term storage, be sure to remove the battery.. It could be drained by the clock
(and other electronics, like the logic gate that debounces the ON button). I store batteries
separately, since rechargable lithium batteries contain organic solveens as electrolyte.
Be very careful not to short a battery--especially a lithium battery.

Grahame Loc: Fiji

I would suggest it depends entirely upon your own personal circumstances, living/storage environment and condition of your equipment.

Do any of your lenses show any signs of fungal growth inside? This can be easily seen, if so you should reconsider how and where you store your gear.

I live at the edge of a rain forest on the coast where humidity is often 95%, cameras and lenses need to live in a humidity controlled cabinet.