M9+lenses and humidity solutions

[chirantanpatnaik]

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Hi,

 

Just wanted your thoughts on how you keep your lenses, m9 and other photo material at a good relative humidity level. Where i stay it gets quite humid (as high as 80-94%!!; although its rain season now), and my number one worry is subjecting my camera to digital rot.

 

For storage, I found a not so expensive solution in a small 40L 'Digicabi' (Digihub Singapore), which is essentially a humidity controlled cabinet, that also acts like a cool display shelf.

 

Any tips on travelling from members would be much appreciated.

 

I'm also looking for solutions like small silica gel packs that i can stuff in my Billingham digital hadley bag (Billingham - Digital Hadley Bag - 501301-01 - B&H Photo Video).

 

Thanks!

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[Steve Ash]

I do not think that this kind of storage is required. Actually I feel it is a waste of environmental resources only.

 

Humidity shouldn't be a problem in general. The problem is more related to rapid changes in temperature and subsequent condensation within the camera. Thus it even could be of disadvantage that your gear is cooled in that storage. Let assume your flat would be hot and very humid then you could see condensation on the camera surfaces when you take your gear out of the storage. While the gear which is resting outside the storage will be at room temperature and thus without any condensation.

 

Under this considerations it should be sufficient to keep your gear at a place in your house with most stable temperature and humidity. These you will generally see in your basement.

 

Regards

Steve

[chirantanpatnaik]

Thanks Steve,

 

The temperature inside the cabinet is almost the same as the room. I don't have condensation problems.

 

The cabinet is usually a recommended product in hot n humid climes.

[aesop]

...Chirantan, my film Ms and lenses lived in humid tropical Africa for many years without any problems - they are still alive and kicking to this day. If you worry this much about "digital rot" in tropical India, how on earth are you going to get about with your M9?

 

The cabinet looks nice but is unnecessary for a camera which I assume will be used regularly. My advice is to stop worrying and enjoy your equipment.

[chris_tribble]

I lived in Colombo, Sri Lanka, four 4 years. The only problems I saw were where friends lived near the sea. The high levels of salt + humidity could really corrode stuff that was left out on shelves. Where w were - a mile or so from the coast, there were no problems. The biggest issue was when taking the cameras out of an a/c car. The generally adopted solution adopted by the worriers was to keep the camera in a zip lock bag and let the condensation form on this. When the camera was at ambient temperature out it would come. My solution was to keep the camera in a battered Domke bag in the trunk so that it didn't get chilled on a journey. I was using film in those days, so I can't comment on the M9 - but my Canons and Ms never gave a problem - and there's no mould in my 35 cron or 135 Apo Telyt, both of which I had in those days.

 

Enjoy the camera and don't worry too much!

[vanhulsenbeek]

Yes, and be glad you don't have to worry anymore about your film getting too hot!

[V_kids]

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Hi chirantanpatnaik

I agree with you.

I have been using one of those "dry-Box" since 10 years ago...

I live in Indonesia, the humidity is very high here.

If u leave ur lens unused for a while with out store it inside the dry-box, u will see some fungus grow on it.

I set the humidity to 40% on my dry box

[ns_ng]

The main issue with constant high humidity is the growth of fungus on the lenses and viewfinder. High humidity above 90% and high temperature will lead to fungus growth. Some of these fungi release acidic secretions that could damage coatings and even etched the glass. Keeping the RH at around 50% will stop these fungal growths. But do not keep the RH below 30-35% for long period of time. This can dry out the oil and lubricants. You can do a google and there are many articles related to this issue. Actually, in the '70's Leitz came up with an anti-fungal lens coating for their military optics. But the effectiveness of this coating was reduced after a few years and needed to be applied again.

 

I have been keeping my M and R cameras and lenses in an electronic dry cabinet for about 15 years and so far they have been fungus free. Prior to this I was using silica gel. But this was a pain to use. Years ago when I sent my M3 to Solms for a CLA, I was informed fungus was found. The M3 belonged to my dad and was never kept in a dry cabinet. Fortunately, the viewfinder and rf was not damaged.

 

Fungus could also attack electronics circuit boards. In my previous life I was involved in the application of conformal coatings on to PCBs to protect against moisture, humidity, dust, fungus, etc.

 

These electronic dry cabinets are relatively inexpensive when you compare to the cost of a M or a couple of Leica lenses.

 

N.S. Ng

 

 

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[chirantanpatnaik]

Thanks all.

 

The setting is at 40% rh and an old nikon lens that my dad owned got the fungus thing going on, so am careful about my leica glass

 

Am not that fussed over the m9 body per se, as I take it out everyday, just was a bit paranoid about the optics etc (and an investment of ~$100 on the cabinet doesn't hurt)

 

However, I acknowledgethe advice on the real enemy being a rapid 'change' in humidity levels. Will keep that in mind and just shoot.

[mikenic]

I have heard that storing lenses in clear containers and in daylight, wide open with the front and rear caps removed will stop fungal growth.

Fungal spores hate daylight.

[bman]

I have the same type of dry cabinet that you use, and I have been using it to store my lenses for a few years now without having fungus problem. I live in the same type of climate as you are, and over here, dry cabinet is quite popular, most camera store have one. Btw, just noticed my RH is at 26%. Time to re-adjust the unit.

 

For traveling, I used to carry a rechargeable unit in the camera bag, which acts as a dryer. I have stoped using it, but the small 6"x3"x1" box can be re-dryed on the power point. I cant recall the brand, but it has a small window with an indicator, purple means its not effective (wet), and when its dried, the indicator turns pink.

 

All my four Nikon lenses and the two summarits has been fungus free so far. I have some bad experience with my previous Canon lenses, which was when I switched to Nikon, and now Leica.

 

Regards.

[krisfoto]

Thanks all.

 

The setting is at 40% rh and an old nikon lens that my dad owned got the fungus thing going on, so am careful about my leica glass

 

Am not that fussed over the m9 body per se, as I take it out everyday, just was a bit paranoid about the optics etc (and an investment of ~$100 on the cabinet doesn't hurt)

 

However, I acknowledgethe advice on the real enemy being a rapid 'change' in humidity levels. Will keep that in mind and just shoot.

 

Hi Chiratan

 

when I was travelling in India during the rainy season I got fungus on one of my lenses (a Nikon 80-200mm, 1:2.8).

I did let in service in Mumbai but unfortunately the block in which the photo shop was located burned down - problem solved.

I fully understand your provisions to avoid to much humidity.

 

Best regards, Kris

[rob_x2004]

Smart idea. Lots of people have them, and the bolt to the floor safe option. Need to get off my tail and grab one. They arent very expensive.

 

Ps ...

Any tips on travelling from members would be much appreciated

Your lens is pretty much a solid block of glass and takes time to warm up. It will often fog the back of the filter, you may strike problems during hte monsoons, and the other place you cant see is the surface of the back element of the lens which fogs against air in the camera body. You cant see that one when looking down the lens, untill everything is warm it might be worth slipping the lens off for a quick squiz.

[leicanut2]

bman

I think you may be describing the Pelican desiccant small thing that you recharge in the oven when the little window starts turning pink. I have like 9 of them that I alternate till they all need to be recharged. Works well.

 

Jan

[chirantanpatnaik]

Thanks, will check out the pelican thing for sure.

 

Regards,

Chirantan

[bman]

bman

I think you may be describing the Pelican desiccant small thing that you recharge in the oven when the little window starts turning pink. I have like 9 of them that I alternate till they all need to be recharged. Works well.

 

Jan

 

The one I use does not have to be recharge in the oven, since it has its own heater, I think. The unit plugs in the power socket (it has like the portable iPod charger). You may be able to search for "camera portable dehumidifier" and the alibaba site has it. But I have the white colored unit, and it could have been re-branded from the chinese made product. I can't find it now.

 

Regards

[leicanut2]

bman

 

I know they sell stuff like what you have for gun cabinets I am sure for home storage of camera gear it would work well and cheaper than a dry cabinet. Now for a camera bags extension cord would be to long, Ha just joking.

Ipod so the thing can be used for traveling???? and recharged????

Pelican hard cases and there desiccants work well for home and even for traveling. I keep the little pelican desiccants in every camera bag. My favorite M camera bag is the larger Pacsafe

[Shade]

I usually snuck in a "wonderful" (Yes that's a brand) rechargeable silica gel in my bags when I travel out. And keep my lenses in the same "wonderful" drycabinet, like yours... well similar.

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