Lens Storage - boxes and foam etc

[grahamc]

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Hello 

Just a general question about best practices for storing collectible lenses 

I generally use a humidity controlled cabinet for my lenses. Currently I don't store the boxes (if I have them) in the cabinet, but am considering it since I live in a relatively humid environment that does take it's toll on paper / card also.

In terms of how lenses should be stored long term .... would it be a good idea to keep them outside of the boxes/foam , to avoid any risk of off-gassing.

I had always thought this to be the case however of course it's also common to see quite old boxed lenses advertised as 'sealed' or never opened, which got me thinking that perhaps it's OK to store in the packaging .

Any best practice or tips would be appreciated 

Thanks

Graham

 

[Pyrogallol]

Keep looking at them and playing with them. My Leica repair man says to remove lens caps from time to time so that stale air is not trapped inside to avoid problems. Also leather is the worst storage material as it is organic and can carry nasty things, though  Leitz leather lens cases look nice and I use them. Also he says that well used cameras/lenses are likely to be the best ones, unlike ones that look as if they have never been used.

Use plastic boxes or the original cardboard boxes and keep taking them out and looking at them, or better still use them.

Edited August 12, 2022 by Pyrogallol

[nitroplait]

I know that styrofoam have ruined many NOS Nikkor lenses beyond repair. Packaging material is rarely chosen for their archival properties and should be separated from optics to prevent damage from long term outgassing.
Leather is another potential issue, it may contain residual chemicals, but worse, it is a great breeding place for fungi.

[Gelatino]

Depending on how often I use the gear, I store it in one large airtight plastic box with silica gel that I dry time to time, or in individual boxes made from  cardboard (NOT METAL) packages for coffe or chocolate. These are made to keep the content dry so they keep humidity off quite well , with a thin aluminium layer and the plastic cap.

I cut them to mesure, add foam ( neopren 2mm thick) in the bottom and on sides of the box. To avoid lens movement I make a round top to fit the lens cap. Outside is covered with any thick paper to hide the original covering. Done 

As the boxes are generally larger than the lenses there is plenty of space to insert one or two small bags of silica gel in case of long term storage.

These boxes are cheap, light, not so bulky, they do the job of protection against shocks and humidity.

For my M lenses, I use boxes with 7,4 mm diameter. For the lux 28 and its square shade and also for the Nocti 50, find a 8,4 mm. 

 

Usefull tip for those who would follow this exemple: don't cut the top of the box, but take off the metal bottom by enlarging it with a small srew driver, unstick the cardboard side, cut it to mesure ( managing the bottom foam and some spare space on top), and stick it back. Finally tighten with pliers .Doing so you won't damage the aluminium edge of the box.

And depending of how many lenses you intend to protect, prepare you to drink lot of coffee/chocolate  specially if you ruin one or two boxes (cutting it too short, wasting the edge...🤬)

 

 

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Edited August 12, 2022 by Gelatino

[250swb]

I don't think I have any outright collectible lenses (although I'm sure some could be classed that way) but even in the UK I use multiple small packets of silica gel in my storage drawers and avoid storing anything inside a leather case, box, etc., so definitely no Leica lens pouches.

[grahamc]

Thanks everyone 

I will rethink placing the lenses in the boxes, in retrospect that’s definitely not a good idea. I will probably put the boxes in the humidity cabinet though. 

I think considering it’s a climate controlled cabinet (a good idea in the Australian climate IMO) then storing the lenses alone would more than suffice, and as people have mentioned use / fondle them often ! if anything maybe I’ll add a dust protection box for the couple that are valuable , either following @Gelatino’s lead or the plastic storage ‘bubble’ cases that Leica have just re released. 

I do use these lenses regularly anyway, but I guess for all Leica gear it’s good to know how they should be properly stored long term anyway.  

I think I read a while ago that it’s a good idea to open up the aperture for lenses laying dormant for a while also. Or was it close it down ? ! 🤔   The context was that it out less tension on the aperture movement 

Edited August 12, 2022 by grahamc