Storing lenses for a longer time

[ernst_leitz]

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Have you any recommendations on how to proceed when putting away lenses that aren't used very often. I know that camera shutters should be exercised regularly, but are there actions to be taken with a lens i.e. turning the focussing and aperture rings? Should the aperture be left fully open or closed? Or is it insignificant. Temperature, humidity. Any advice is welcome. Thanks in advance.

[250swb]

Dark and humid conditions cause fungus, light and dry stops it. Combinations work, light kills it, dry stops it. Nothing kills fungus (other than taking the lens apart for treatment) except UV light, but it has to have started before it can be killed, so don't let it start. Avoid putting the lens into any combination of circumstances where water can be absorbed, like the Leica leather lens cases.

 

Modern lens greases don't go off like older greases, they should last for years without exercise, but regular use is still best, and if it isn't being used enough that you need to worry about it's storage, should you sell it?

 

 

Steve

[algrove]

True Steve, but I just can't part with some.

[bideford]

True Steve, but I just can't part with some.

 

Shame that. No disrespect but lenses should be used not stored away.

[Guest Mr. B]

I often turn the focus and aperture rings regularly. Occasionally I will set the lens on a desk and allow sunlight to pass through the lens for an hour or two. I have four Leica lenses and I tend to use two of them most of the time, but I do try and use the other two at least a little every month or two. I keep my lenses I use the least in a desk drawer in their lens cases.

Mr. B

[MarkP]

Sydney gets quite humid in Sydney in summer so I need to store my lenses safely but have quick access to them.

 

So I have a small photographic dehumidifier cabinet with a number of padded foam shelves for my lenses and cameras.

[algrove]

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Shame that. No disrespect but lenses should be used not stored away.

 

You are right, but I just need more bodies for them all. At least I never store them in the original leather lens cases, but do admit to using Pelican cases during our humid season.

[IWC Doppel]

I have a 'normal' number which is probably too many to be honest (10) and I do use them all, so no need for storage, however in winter months with no/poor light I take less pictures, so they are often not used for some time.

 

I have them on my shelf out of the pouches with lens caps on and they are in a normal temperature home/office environment. The do get dusty being out of their pouch and open but easily resolved with a light paint brush. I will also wipe them from time to time with a lens cloth to remove any obvious dirty finger marks on the barrels. (Obviously I keep the glass clean)

 

If you have them to hand, you might use them too

 

PS the worry of fungus is much less of a concern in the UK

[250swb]

 

PS the worry of fungus is much less of a concern in the UK

 

Historically yes, I fully agree, and almost unknown in modern enthusiast owned lenses.

 

But on a more general level it was also very rare when a camera was a regularly used and cherished family investment. But go to a car boot sale and you can see where old (anything pre digital, and even some digital) camera's have been stored just looking at the dust or mildew on the cases, in a damp cardboard box in the garage. Even granddad's old Leica gets the cardboard box treatment, along with his negatives and a lifetimes work documenting family life. As more and more cameras come out of boxes and onto Ebay the true number of fungus affected lenses is coming to light, especially with the current high demand for good roll film folding cameras (as people get back into film).

 

Steve

[earleygallery]

I was chatting to a dealer recently and he remarked that he often finds fungus on older Leica and Rollei gear that people take to trade in, but rarely on Japanese lenses.

 

We came to the conclusion that it must be due to the large amount of breweries in Germany and all that yeast in the air.

[pgk]

Have you any recommendations on how to proceed when putting away lenses that aren't used very often.

Yes, don't put them away. Like anything mechanical, lenses benefit from being used. Apart from fungus there are the problems of hardening and settling grease and corrosion. Look at it this way; how time consuming and difficult is it to take lenses out every few weeks and operate them (or even take photos with them;))? I'm not a believer in owning mechanical stuff that doesn't get used.

[ernst_leitz]

Thank you all for your good advice. I do use all of my lenses regularly but occasionally some tend to be used less than others. One little question that didn't get an answer was whether the aperture should be left open or closed. Shall I take that silence that it's insignificant?

[IWC Doppel]

I heard a while ago to close aperture blades, the only logic was the oil would be less likely to slowly make its way on to a blade.

 

I leave mine where they where when they came off

[Bill W]

I have some of my lens stored in thier leather lens case. I will change that this weekend. We do get humid here. I have a cabinet that I can use and will store them just upright. Thanks for the information.

[farnz]

It helps to talk in a soft voice to your lenses from time to time so that they don't feel neglected. This will also help them to produce even better pictures because they will be feeling happier. With depressed lenses around Christmas time it helps to buy them little gifts like a new filter or lens cap, wrap the gifts up in colourful paper and open them on Christmas morning while making a fuss of the lenses. This will help your lenses last much longer.

 

I can't help with preventing fungus and grease-hardening I'm afraid.

 

Pete.

[zeitz]

With over 200 lenses dating back to the 1920s, storage is a concern. The risks are mold, fungus, rust, haze, coating problems, and stiff lubricants. Some good recommendations have been posted. I would like to add:

- keep cases and boxes totally separate from the lenses. Leather and paper absorb moisture and odor. They are very hard to dry out. I often have to throw away boxes and instructions.

- use pure silica cat litter as a desiccant. Avoid cat litter that has more than silica, which is most cat litter. Few cat litter packages list the ingredients.

- many apertures need light oil to avoid rust. Oil on blades is a problem for lenses with automatic diaphragms. A very small amount of oil is good for manual diaphragm lenses.

- keep contaminated lenses (fungus, mold) totally isolated from clean lenses. Like in different ends of the house. Many lens repair facilities won't even let lenses with fungus inside their door.

- on simple lenses, take them apart and replace the grease with a modern synthetic. Search on lubricants for telescope helicals. Make sure the lubricant is odorless.

- if a lens has a problem (fungus, haze, mold, stiff lube) and you like it, get it repaired before storage.

- make sure the lens surfaces are meticulously clean before storage. I keep the caps on. Some may take the caps off.

 

I don't think you will have any trouble with modern lenses as long as they are keep dry. Synthetic lubricants last a very long time.

[ns_ng]

Lenses and cameras should be kept below 50% RH to prevent fungi from growing. Some of these fungi can secrete chemicals that will attack lens coatings and even etch the glass elements. I have been using an electric dehumidifier cabinet for ages. I have to since I live in the tropics. RH here is usually between 70-90% most of the time.I used silica gel before but it became a pain having to heat it up to remove the moisture every now and then. This type of electric dehumidifier cabinet is commonly found in most photographic dealers here in Singapore.

 

N S Ng