Lens fungus: Being concerned as everyone else about preventing fungus in my photographic equipment, I would like to pose a suggestion for lens storage. A chain farm supply store...

trapper1 Loc: Southside Virginia

Being concerned as everyone else about preventing fungus in my photographic equipment, I would like to pose a suggestion for lens storage. A chain farm supply store, Tractor Supply, sells gun safes. They also stock a canister of silica gel to be used in those safes to help keep the firearms in storage from rusting. I have one of these safes from the time I used to shoot skeet and trap and it occurred to me that the safe would be ideal for storage of my camera and lens. The store also sells, for lack of a better description, a heat rod that maintains a low, steady heat in the safe, which is already equipped with a electrical connection for the rod. I was wondering if anyone else had already tried this setup and if so, what was their experience with it.

Dave327 Loc: Duluth, GA. USA

Not everybody. I’ve been shooting since 1978 and still have my SLR lenses and they are all fungus free, but I have always lived and/or stored in a air conditioned environment. That said, if you are concerned, what you are proposing seems logical and should work just fine. OR, you could invest in a “camera dehumidifier cabinet”. They are controlled by a humidistat and only run when the humidity needs to be lowered. They are electromechanical and very quiet. All the usual places sell them - B&H, Adorama, etc. Search Amazon - they have many in various sizes (they usually have glass doors so one can see what equipment is in the cabinet).

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

Like Dave327 I’ve stored lenses in household environments since the mid seventy’s without a problem. I regularly use 45+year old Canon FD’s on a Fuji X-T1 with no issue. Like you I also have a dehumidifier heat stick in my gun safe and have had no problems with any of my assault weapons or high capacity magazines either. The humidity in Jawja is normally high year round, so I don’t know if I’ve just been lucky or what. I would say prepare to whatever level you feel necessary.

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

trapper1 wrote:

Being concerned as everyone else about preventing ... (show quote)

Better yet get a dry cabinet. They automatically keep the equipment at a humidity setting of your choice.I use Ruggard dry cabinets. My equipment is worth it.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=ruggard%20dry%20cabinets&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ma&Top+Nav-Search=

Rich1939 Loc: Pike County Penna.

trapper1 wrote:

Being concerned as everyone else about preventing ... (show quote)

From my reading on fungus and mold I wouldn't use the heat rod. Unless you intended to use a storage temp above 130 deg F.
Fungus likes warm and moist, hot or cold will kill it.

G. Crook Loc: Linden, TX

Living in E Texas humidity is a way of life. I keep my camera gear either in a plastic storage unit or in a closet. I use “Damprid” canisters in the cabinet and “Arm and Hammer hanging moisture absorber” in the closet. Both are available at Walmart and other stores. The A & H units are very effective and need replacing about every three months. The Damprids get replaced about every six months. No issues with fungus or mold.

Canisdirus

billnikon wrote:

Better yet get a dry cabinet. They automatically keep the equipment at a humidity setting of your choice.I use Ruggard dry cabinets. My equipment is worth it.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=ruggard%20dry%20cabinets&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ma&Top+Nav-Search=

They were just on sale at B&H too ... they go on sale every few months.
I have the 80L model ... will never go back to airconditioning.
I get 38% humidity in my box, and the electrical draw is almost non existent.

Jimmy T Loc: Virginia

trapper1 wrote:

Being concerned as everyone else about preventing ... (show quote)

A low-tech crutch you could use: https://www.dollartree.com/the-home-store-charcoal-moisture-eliminators-98oz-tubs/160017
Smile,
JimmyT Sends

47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

Here in Colorado, our house is rarely above 30%, usually lower. Anything that gives you something comparable whether whole house or confined space should serve you well.

Rich1939 Loc: Pike County Penna.

G. Crook wrote:

Living in E Texas humidity is a way of life. I keep my camera gear either in a plastic storage unit or in a closet. I use “Damprid” canisters in the cabinet and “Arm and Hammer hanging moisture absorber” in the closet. Both are available at Walmart and other stores. The A & H units are very effective and need replacing about every three months. The Damprids get replaced about every six months. No issues with fungus or mold.

FYI Silica gel is available in bulk from places like Amazon. AND it is reusable as it can be dried in your oven. I picked up a couple of pounds 5 or 6 years ago and I am still using it. poured some into a white sock, tied a knot in the sock, then put it in my camera bag. Easy to work with and it gets the job done. Those dehumidifying packets you pick up are filled with the same stuff.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

trapper1 wrote:

A chain farm supply store, Tractor Supply, sells gun safes. They also stock a canister of silica gel to be used in those safes to help keep the firearms in storage from rusting.

Silica is good for absorbing moisture. I keep all the little packets I get with products.
Relevant article below -

http://www.ebay.com/gds/Why-lenses-get-fungus-and-how-to-avoid-it-/10000000014608433/g.html

htbrown Loc: San Francisco Bay Area

trapper1 wrote:

Being concerned as everyone else about preventing ... (show quote)

I still have a cabinet I made for drying film. It's heated by a light bulb at the bottom. If you wanted to keep your lenses in a warm environment, a box with a low-wattage bulb may be all you need. If you live in a moist environment, you'll want the silica gel. When it gets saturated, you can restore it by heating in a microwave.

tommyII Loc: Northern Illinois

trapper1 wrote:

Being concerned as everyone else about preventing ... (show quote)

Exactly. I installed an electrical outlet and heat rod in my safe, and that's where I keep my cameras and lenses. It works perfectly for both guns and photo equipment.

kymarto Loc: Portland OR and Milan Italy

trapper1 wrote:

Being concerned as everyone else about preventing ... (show quote)

Heat is absolutely not desirable. There are three conditions that foster the growth of fungus, humidity, hear and darkness. If your relative humidity is under 50%, or you temperature under around 70 F or you store your lenses in strong light fungus cannot grow. Meeting two of these conditions is better, all three yet more secure, but meeting even one is enough.

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

jerryc41 wrote:

Silica is good for absorbing moisture. I keep all the little packets I get with products.

Rather than collecting those little packets, you can get a tub of silica at most dollar stores, the equivalent of several dozen packets. Then replace with a new tub every few months.