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Tropical storage


davidrundell99

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Hi,

 

This post is mainly directed at those members who live in tropical areas. Around 18 months ago I relocated to Singapore from the UK, along with a load of Leica gear.

 

Do you guys store your gear in 'humidity controlled' conditions or use any other special measures? At present I don't but I have seen the effect of the air on my Manfrotto tripod (oxidisation), and I wonder if the Leica gear is at risk.

 

Thanks,

 

David.

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I keep my stuff in my airconditioned house and/or office. A/C brings the humidity down below the threshold for mold growth. If you can't get A/C then there's a product called Damp-Rid. They're plastic tubs with a perforated insert at the top. That gets filled with absorbent pellets, which melt as they absorb, and deposit the water into the lower part of the tub. They require occasional emptying of the catch resevoir, and refilling of the pellets.

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Mainly use Pelican with rechargeable silica gel cartridges, although also vacuum bags for general storage (the type used for storing clothes, where the vacuum cleaner sucks the air- and humidity- out). These have the advantage of enabling light to reach the equipment for longer-term storage.

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try googling Digi Cabi, I think they are made in Singapore. Humidity control cabinets. I bought one in India after I came back from a trip to find my billingham thick with fungus. The cabinet cost less than a replacement billingham....

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Hi,

 

I live in Singapore and I store all my cameras, lenses, filters,etc. in a humidity controlled cabinet. This is especially important for cameras and lenses as high humidity will lead to fungi growth. Some of these fungi can secrete acid-like substances that will etch into the glass causing irrepairable damage.

 

These types of cabinets are found in many camera shops. Usually, these have either analog or digital hygrometer. Power consumption is only a few dollars per month. Keep the RH at 45-50%. Do not reduce the RH to less than 30% as long term storage at this RH can dry out the lubricants. Avoid using dry boxes with silica gel. These are not reliable.

 

N.S. Ng

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