Equipment Storage in the South
Mar 24, 2020 11:54:46 #
I live in the American South where the humidity is incredibly high in the summer. With air conditioning, I can maintain the indoor humidity at 55-60% but to be on the safe side I recently purchased a Ruggard cabinet which keeps the humidity at a steady 40%. My question is: Is it OK to store cameras and lens in the cabinet in their leather cases? Their ballistic nylon cases? Or is it better to take the equipment out of their cases? Finally, would it be a good idea to store film in the Ruggard cabinet? Many thanks for everyone’s thoughts!
Mar 24, 2020 12:11:46 #
I lived in Central Florida for 27 years.
I just kept my stuff in my camera bag in the closet, some less used things in a drawer, additional lenses in cases on the closed shelf. Never had a problem.
But the air (Heat/AC) was on about 10-11 months of the year.
Leather cases will eventually dry out unless they are periodically conditioned.
Any case will reduce the air circulation around a lens. Depends on how much they get out.
Depending on the storage period sure, you can store the film in the cabinet.
For long periods I kept my film in the chest freezer, removing 24 hours before use to temp stabilize before opening it.
I just kept my stuff in my camera bag in the closet, some less used things in a drawer, additional lenses in cases on the closed shelf. Never had a problem.
But the air (Heat/AC) was on about 10-11 months of the year.
Leather cases will eventually dry out unless they are periodically conditioned.
Any case will reduce the air circulation around a lens. Depends on how much they get out.
Depending on the storage period sure, you can store the film in the cabinet.
For long periods I kept my film in the chest freezer, removing 24 hours before use to temp stabilize before opening it.
Mar 24, 2020 12:37:54 #
Mar 24, 2020 12:42:24 #
Mar 24, 2020 12:55:21 #
You should never keep / store camera equipment in leather anything for a long-term period.
Mar 24, 2020 12:57:55 #
CHG_CANON wrote:
You should never keep / store camera equipment in leather anything for a long-term period.
Thanks, was wondering about that.
Mar 24, 2020 13:15:48 #
Mar 24, 2020 18:15:54 #
Leather will get mouldy. Outside under cover. Motorcycle seat
Inside in a/c, ok
In storage, no heat/a/c. Mouldy boots
Inside in a/c, ok
In storage, no heat/a/c. Mouldy boots
Mar 24, 2020 19:48:17 #
Mar 25, 2020 07:01:55 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
Haden123 wrote:
I live in the American South where the humidity is... (show quote)
B&H just had a sale on Ruggard cabinets. I own a rather large one I keep all of my equipment in. It works great. I purchased it from B&H when they had the cabinets on sale. Wait for the sale, they are deeply discounted at those times. You can register for their daily deals, then you just wait. They do it about 3 to 4 times a year.
This is the one I bought, I got it at almost half price. Good luck and keep on shooting until the end.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1348545-REG/ruggard_edc_120l_electronic_dry_cabinet_120l.html?sts=pi&pim=Y
Mar 25, 2020 07:22:21 #
Mar 25, 2020 07:25:47 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
Haden123 wrote:
Excellent advice! But will B&H ever have a sale on Leica M camera and lenses?
Sign up for their daily specials. Who knows when and if Leica M and/or lenses will come up on sale.
Mar 25, 2020 08:53:20 #
I once bought a pre-owned lens from someone whose father had bought it but passed on shortly after (or so the story goes). Was stored in its original leather case until the estate was settled.
Looking at the lens it was in "showroom" condition ... until I looked at a lit light bulb through it. Never saw so much fungus in my life. Trust what CHG-CANON says.
Looking at the lens it was in "showroom" condition ... until I looked at a lit light bulb through it. Never saw so much fungus in my life. Trust what CHG-CANON says.
Mar 25, 2020 09:01:06 #
Haden123 wrote:
I live in the American South where the humidity is... (show quote)
In controlled humidity (<50%):
Naked = okay
Ballistic Nylon cloth = okay
Leather = Just say no.
Vinyl (PVC) = Get that out of your house, NOW.
Dead animal hide (leather) dries and breaks down (rots) over time. I can’t stand the smell of an old leather bag. The tannins are acidic, so you don’t want them close enough to react with anything.
PVC deteriorates, too, producing gasses harmful to prints, slides, negatives, and people! Use polypropylene instead.
Another thing to avoid is the diced foam in Pelican cases! After a few years, the foam deteriorates into a sticky, stinky, gooey mess. I have plenty of personal experience with this... Pelican cases are for short term transport. Replace the foam every 2-3 years or don’t use it.
Mar 25, 2020 09:34:21 #
All comments are negative to leather. Does that include the suede type pouches that Canon supplies with the majority of their “L” lenses? In Colorado, our typical household humidity struggles to stay above 35%, so mold is not much of an issue, but I wonder if I should be using the pouches.
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