Camera Labs

Recently, I have been thinking about purchasing a dry cabinet to protect the fortune I have in lenses but wanted to get some user opinions first. I know many of my fellow forum-mates live in humid climates and was wondering how big of an issue relative humidity is and if they employ dry cabinets. What do you think? They seem expensive, but not as expensive as just one of my prize optics.

_________________
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nursediesel
Canon EOS 5D & 5D2 | EF 70-200 f2.8 L IS | EF 100-400 f4.5-5.6 L IS | EF 24-105 f4 L IS | EF 17-40 F4 L | 580 EX II | Fujifilm X10

In Singapore, most of the enthusiasts seem to have dry cabinets. With a normal RH of 80%+ they seem to use them to get their gear down to the 40-50% range. I had my camera etc in the “open” for about a year and never experienced a problem however I have now bought a cabinet to be “safe rather than sorry”.
There are a variety of methods - from a simple sealed box with silica-gel to electrically powered cabinets of a variety of volumes – the latter seem to be preferred.
I have a 50L cabinet made by Digi-Cabi (AD-50, www.digihub.com.sg) which seems well made and suitable for my needs – it cost around SG$160. To be honest it’s as much as much a useful container for my stuff as for a dry place. There is usually a discussion or two on the relative pro’s and cons over at the clubsnap forum.
Hope this helps.

I bit the bullet and bought a dry cabinet. It just came in today, so it's still showing a high RH% as it has just been turned on. The manufacturer recommends between 40-55% RH for the storage of cameras and lenses.

Our summers here are very humid (over 90% RH) and in winter I heat with Kerosene which puts off a lot of moisture into the air, so it was a smart way to go as an insurance policy. Here are some photos:

Outside of cabinet:


Hygrometer:


Inside of cabinet (Note the nice padded shelves on top for lenses):

_________________
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nursediesel
Canon EOS 5D & 5D2 | EF 70-200 f2.8 L IS | EF 100-400 f4.5-5.6 L IS | EF 24-105 f4 L IS | EF 17-40 F4 L | 580 EX II | Fujifilm X10

How much was it?

_________________

After shipping it was $450. I've had it for over a week now and it keeps a steady constant rh% even though the ambient rh% in the room gets above 60% at times.

_________________
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nursediesel
Canon EOS 5D & 5D2 | EF 70-200 f2.8 L IS | EF 100-400 f4.5-5.6 L IS | EF 24-105 f4 L IS | EF 17-40 F4 L | 580 EX II | Fujifilm X10

There's always the cheapo way of using a plastic bag and some water vapour eaters (like those things that are in your shoes when you buy them.)

_________________
I take pictures so quickly, my highschool was "Continuous High".

Do you mean Silica Gels ?

_________________
Soon.....

That could well be it.

_________________
I take pictures so quickly, my highschool was "Continuous High".