Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2006/05/05
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Here is a horror story. Once, while on a trip to the Mohave Desert, a friend of mine stored his newly purchased 35mm Summaron-M in a plastic baggy, inside a jacket (leather) pocket. Several days later, while cleaning out his camera bag, he remembered that he had the lens in the jacket pocket. When he took it out, the bag was filled with moisture. The lens elements were clouded over from a continual steaming, and the helical system, and diaphragm were completely frozen. During those days, before ebay, it was considered a total lose. The next lens he bought, an M3 35mm Summilux-M, he took better care of. Slobodan Dimitrov Studio G-8, Angels Gate Cultural Center http://sdimitrovphoto.com On May 5, 2006, at 7:58 PM, Jayanand Govindaraj wrote: > Again from a very high humidity climate, I store equipment that I > am not using in Ziploc bags with silica gel or in an ordinary > storage cupboard with a bucket of silica gel inside - both work > pretty well, keeps the fungus out. > Jayanand Govindaraj > Chennai, India > > Eric Korenman wrote: > >> Thanks to all - I am thinking that a wooden box with a lid (non >> plastic) and >> damp-rid packs might be my solution. >> >> or.. installing a clean room for several million dollars is the >> way to go. >> Only after decontamination and donning a 'bunny suit' will I will >> allow >> anyone to touch my gear. >> >> Eric >> >> On 5/5/06, Jim Hemenway <Jim@hemenway.com> wrote: >> >>> >>> Eric: >>> >>> I have no answer for you there, except to report that I've seen >>> posts on >>> various lists during the last several years from photographers in >>> places >>> like Singapore who swear by them. >>> >>> I like open windows too and even though it sometimes gets quite >>> hot and >>> humid here in the Boston area, I don't do anything special except to >>> keep my gear out of the hot attic and the damp cellar. >>> >>> If it's too hot for me, then I figure that it's also too hot for my >>> photo gear, so I keep it scattered about on the same floor on >>> which I >>> live, away from any sunny windows but open to the air so that >>> leather >>> and other such parts don't mildew. >>> >>> I do have an air conditioner but prefer to use it only during the >>> very >>> hottest 85+ nights. It's 80F at 3:30 PM here as I write this but >>> I can't >>> feel any humidity. >>> >>> I keep most of my film in a cellar freezer until a few hours >>> before I >>> intend to use it. >>> >>> Jim, "Don't worry, be happy" Hemenway >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> Eric Korenman wrote: >>> >>> > That did cross my ming - I was wondering if those sealable >>> containers >>> > de-gas >>> > and can damage our oh-so precious german glass? >>> > >>> > good memory about the Western Mass thing. >>> > Eric >>> > >>> > >>> > On 5/5/06, Jim Hemenway <Jim@hemenway.com> wrote: >>> > >>> >> >>> >> Eric: >>> >> >>> >> Ouch, Western Massachusetts in July... >>> >> >>> >> I don't think that the humidifier will work well for you >>> because you'll >>> >> need to close the windows in that room for it to be effective, >>> and then >>> >> you'll be too hot with the windows closed. >>> >> >>> >> Why not get one of those large Tupperware type containers with >>> a lid >>> >> which seals well. Get some silica gel, put it in your oven to >>> be sure >>> >> that it's dried out and store it with your sealed gear. >>> >> >>> >> Jim >>> >> >>> >> Eric Korenman wrote: >>> >> >>> >> > Like a nice little OCD leica user, I am concerned about >>> where I am >>> >> keeping >>> >> > my cameras. >>> >> > The correct answer, of course, is strapped from your next >>> and in use >>> :) >>> >> > >>> >> > But I have gear I don't often use. In our our old house we were >>> blessed >>> >> > with >>> >> > a cool dry basement which I would peak at 50% humidity >>> during the >>> >> summer. >>> >> > Our new basement is a swamp.. >>> >> > I currently keep my gear on the 3d floor. >>> >> > Up there in my home office, it is getting warmer and warmer >>> and the >>> >> > humidity >>> >> > is climbing. >>> >> > I may have to install a dehumidifier. >>> >> > >>> >> > Questions: What is the ideal humidity to store equipment? >>> Or, what >>> >> humidity >>> >> > level should I try to maintain? >>> >> > >>> >> > We do not use AC. We like open windows. But I could install a >>> >> dehumidifier >>> >> > in my home office. >>> >> > >>> >> > Eric >>> >>> >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> Leica Users Group. >>> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information >>> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Leica Users Group. >> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information >> >> > > > > _______________________________________________ > Leica Users Group. > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information