HUMIDITY ALERT!

[sagittariansrock]

Use these and keep the lenses inside a sealed container when not in use.
http://www.amazon.com/Eva-dry-Renewable-E-333-Wireless-Dehumidifer/dp/B000H0XFCS/ref=pd_bxgy_hg_img_z
They can be renewed by plugging in for 10-12 hrs (for up to 10 years).
I have one 5 years old, and it works like new.

Alternatively, just use them regularly and you'll be fine

 

[dolina]

If your gear collection is substantial then buy an electronic dry cabinet.

 

[Loswr]

Use these and keep the lenses inside a sealed container when not in use.
http://www.amazon.com/Eva-dry-Renewable-E-333-Wireless-Dehumidifer/dp/B000H0XFCS/ref=pd_bxgy_hg_img_z
They can be renewed by plugging in for 10-12 hrs (for up to 10 years).
I have one 5 years old, and it works like new.

Nice! At ~6x5x1", it won't fit in my smaller cases (for which I use the 6cm versions of the 10cm cartridges I linked above). But it would work well in my Storm im2720.

 

[lion rock]

One question or concern:
If the environment is too dry where you store your gear, will it over-dry the seals, specifically, the O-rings, foam shock absorbers, etc., so they'll crack or disintegrate too soon? There must be a range of humidity where fungal growth is inhibited without the gaskets getting too dried, thus too much desiccant can't be good.
-r

 

[ajfotofilmagem]

One question or concern:
If the environment is too dry where you store your gear, will it over-dry the seals, specifically, the O-rings, foam shock absorbers, etc., so they'll crack or disintegrate too soon? There must be a range of humidity where fungal growth is inhibited without the gaskets getting too dried, thus too much desiccant can't be good.
-r

Many dehumidifier apparatus heat the air, and this heating can dry rubbers and lubricants into the lens. I believe humidity below 30% is sufficient to prevent fungi.


Is there another way to prevent fungi:
Aquarium filter with UV-C lamp.

These filters have a lamp that produces light in the ultraviolet-C, which destroys the DNA of cells and kill any living being, including fungi. Instead use in aquariums, use in their lenses. Just unscrew the UV filter lens, point the opening of the hose to the front and back of the lens. Watch out! Use dark gloves and never look directly into the UV-C light, which is highly carcinogenic in humans.
The rays of UV-C light are also produced by the sun, but do not reach the planet because they are filtered out by the atmosphere.

 

[lion rock]

ajfotofilmagem,
Any UV system generates ozone, with accelerates decomposition of rubber or many polymers. The attack is worse than the drying of the gasket material. Don't use UV, chlorox ect., to prevent fungal growth.
Most household moisture level is well over 50-60 percent, and fungal is still minimal.
I bought some plastic boxes, like the one you can get at big box store, the orange, grey/blue hardware stores, and the big blue discount grocery super store, so I can organize my gear and external disk drives. I am sort of having second thought of the idea. Coupled up in the sealed boxes, the air gets stale and things can grow inside with little moisture. So, I keep the lid skewed, just to get circulation.
Someone on another thread got a drawer set for gear storage. I think that is a wonderful idea. Keeps dust out, moisture level at comfort range, and cool. Rather inexpensive, to boot.
-r

 

[ajfotofilmagem]

ajfotofilmagem,
Any UV system generates ozone, with accelerates decomposition of rubber or many polymers. The attack is worse than the drying of the gasket material. Don't use UV, chlorox ect., to prevent fungal growth.
Most household moisture level is well over 50-60 percent, and fungal is still minimal.
I bought some plastic boxes, like the one you can get at big box store, the orange, grey/blue hardware stores, and the big blue discount grocery super store, so I can organize my gear and external disk drives. I am sort of having second thought of the idea. Coupled up in the sealed boxes, the air gets stale and things can grow inside with little moisture. So, I keep the lid skewed, just to get circulation.
Someone on another thread got a drawer set for gear storage. I think that is a wonderful idea. Keeps dust out, moisture level at comfort range, and cool. Rather inexpensive, to boot.
-r

Yes, ultraviolet light causes deterioration of rubber. However the spectrum of UV-C light is much more eficienye that natural sunlight, and takes just a few seconds of exposure to kill the fungi. I have used a few years (once a month) and have not had problems with the rubber of my lenses.

 

[yagerlin56]

I have the same problem with that, thanks for veryone reply



____________________________
http://www.mashgear.com

 

[moocowe]

You can find electronic dry cabinets fairly cheap. Set it to about 45% RH and forget about it.
The one I have is inaudible and power consumption is supposed to be around the 4W mark.

I prefer this to having to constantly check and replace silica packs.

My lenses still get out for some sunlight and fresh air from time to time though.

 

[Skirball]

Here is how I make them:

1 bag of cat litter (must contain silica)*
1 roll of thick paper towels (not the cheap stuff, you don't want it to tear and spill cat litter everywhere)
1 roll of gaffers tape (duct tape will work too)

I would imagine that cat urine is actually worse for your gear than humidity. Not to mention the smell...

 

[Loswr]

Anyone who's ever changed a litter box knows that cat litter is an excellent source of dust, and I'm not convinced that a few layers of paper towels will adequately seal in all that dust. The silica or CaSO4 used in commercially available desiccant cartridges are crystalline and essentially dust free.

 

[sagittariansrock]

Here is how I make them:

1 bag of cat litter (must contain silica)*
1 roll of thick paper towels (not the cheap stuff, you don't want it to tear and spill cat litter everywhere)
1 roll of gaffers tape (duct tape will work too)

I would imagine that cat urine is actually worse for your gear than humidity. Not to mention the smell...

Agree about the smell. I had to use cat urine for some of my experiments...

 

[RustyTheGeek]

Anyone who's ever changed a litter box knows that cat litter is an excellent source of dust, and I'm not convinced that a few layers of paper towels will adequately seal in all that dust. The silica or CaSO4 used in commercially available desiccant cartridges are crystalline and essentially dust free.

LOL!! We literally just changed brands of cat litter that we've used for years for this exact reason!

And if the new brand doesn't cut down on the dust, it will be time for mandatory cat diapers!

??? ;D

 

[triggermike]

Air conditioning.