Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1997/03/09
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]I agreed with Dan, silica gel is ineffective in humid tropical environment, you need to recharge them almost every other day (unless you seal you equipment and don't use them :-)) The dehumidifying cabinet is by far the most convenient way keeping them, just switch on the power, set the right humidity level (should be safe below 50%RH), put in your valuable equipment and sleep well. Adi, the last time you've to the Singapore Leica distributor, you should have seen one displaying there. Fungus will only grow under stale air and dim light conditions, a good reason to use your equipment regularly. Have you noticed fungi have good taste......they rarely grown on cheap glass. Cheers, Eng-Suan engsuan@tp.ac.sg (65)780-5532 ___________________________________________ > >Hi > >Existing fungal growth will have to be cleaned by a repairman. Serious >infestations can destroy the lens coating and may even slightly pit the >glass. > >I keep my all my lenses and cameras in humidity controlled cabinets - set at >40-50% RH. I have done this for years and it is very effective in >preventing fungal attack. When I am out in the field (at 90% humidity in the >tropics), I use no additional protection even up to 2-3 weeks at a time as >fungal growth takes time. Silica gel is hardly useful in the tropics. It >takes just a few minutes to render the substance inactive. > >Dan Khong > > > >>On Sun, 9 Mar 1997, Rosesanan Soon Lai Yoke wrote: >> >>> Hi, >>> >>> I have been placing my fungus infected lenses and m3 rangefinder under a >>> table lamp in the hope that the fungus may die. The reason why I am doing >>> this is that in the past, when I did not use a lens for a period of time, >>> some fungus started growing, when I started using it again however, it >>> noticably diminished. My hypothesis is that exposure to light kills the >>> fungus. Any comments?? >>> >>> Also, what can be done to preserve photographic equipment in high humidity >>> places like Malaysia?? Any ideas?? >>> >>> --ADi >>> >>> >>I assume you are referring to Leica lenses? If so, have you asked >>the Leica Company the same question? Perhaps they have heard of similar >>problems and have an answer for you, other than keeping your >>cameras and lenses in a humidity-controlled cabinet. Of course, you >>must remove them to make pictures. This could be a prevention, >>not a cure. I would like to know what the lens maker recommends. >>Ed Meyers >> >> > >