Camera Labs

Hi,

Id like to know how you mostly store your DSLR cameras and lenses. Say for an average usage of about once a week. Some suggest airtight ziplock pouches. Is it safe to store it in Ziplock plastic bags ? I also read on the internet that storing cameras in plastic bags deteriorates the material of the camera body. So id like to hear from members here as to what you actually use.

What ive figured so far is to have it in a cupboard thats in a permanantly airconditioned room, as the ACs actually remove moisture from the room. Secondly, also to have it in a Ziplock pouch.

Id love to hear from you guys as to what you suggest.

Thanks

I generally leave them in my bag system, or have them laying around the room. Never bothered with plastic bags etc. Just don't leave them without a lens or body cap

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

Everything in a Crumpler 4 Million Dollar Home, then that gets thrown in my backpack. Cameras are meant to be used, not preserved for all eternity

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Recent pics on flickr


Canon 500D, 18-55mm IS, 55-250mm IS, 50mm f1.8 II, 430exII

My kit is stored... wherever there is a space. The more expensive bits will be in a camera bag, which I keep open to allow air to circulate.

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Canon DSLRs: 7D, 5D2, 1D, 600D, 450D full spectrum, 300D IR mod
Lenses: EF 35/2, 50/1.8, 85/1.8, 135/2+SF, 28-80 V, 70-300L, 100-400L, TS-E 24/3.5L, MP-E 65, EF-S 15-85 IS
3rd party: Zeiss 2/50 makro, Samyang 8mm fisheye, Sigma 150 macro, 120-300 f/2.8 OS, Celestron 1325/13
Tinies: Sony HX9V.

I'd be afraid of what might grow in an airtight ziplock pouch...... it keeps things out, but it can also keep things in.

A little bit of moisture for example won't evaporate properly, raising the humidity, which can lead to fungus....

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Canon 1000D, EF-S 17-85, EF-S 60mm macro f/2.8, EF 50mm f/1.8, Tamron 70-300, 430EX II

sometimes in my bag, usually lying around my desk or on my bed, most commonly in my non-photo bag when i need only the camera for shooting. put a lens cap on that baby and you'll be fine =P

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Always aim higher- Beyond the limit

Journey of light - my blog!
www.anelfoto.blogspot.com

normally i put my gear were i find space for it, withing reach from the computer though.

right now i have the tokina 12-24 ontop of the computer, 70-200 on the camera beside the computer, and the 2x teleconverter on the desk between the keyboard and screen number 1.

i don't see the point of being more elaborate with storage of gear, after all, i bring the camera and atleast one of my lenses with me almost anywere, anytime. also i don't want to miss a shot of wildlife outside my bedroom window either

for longer storage i would think in a normal room there shouldn't be a problem as long as the the caps are on the lenses/body.

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DeviantArt
Canon 1D MK3, 1x580EXII, 1x430EX
Canon 50mm 1.4 USM, Canon 100mm F2.8 USM
Canon 70-200 F2.8 L IS II, Canon 16-35 F2.8 L
Sigma 300mm F2.8

Canon Pixma PRO-9000 MKII

and a 17-40 F4L in a hundred little pieces

The solution for the plastic bags problem is a vacuum machine.
I got one here but never thought about using it for this purpose.
Hm...

2 pelican cases which are air tight... both cases have 2 silica containers in them to draw in moisture which might be trapped in the case. I use these cases for storage cause it is what I use when I travel not because I want/need a place to store my gear at home.. its just convenient and they do the job very well.

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Canon 7D + 50D + EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM + EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM + EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM
Pelican // Black Rapid // Think Tank // Manfrotto // Garmin

Reflections On Canadian Wildlife
My Flickr

In one of my two back-packs.

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Canon XSi (450D), EF-S IS 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS, EF 55-200mm f/4.5-5.6 II USM, EF 50 f/1.8 II
Bags: Lowepro Primus AW, Lowepro CompuRover AW

Mine is either in my hands or the backpack(Canon stuff) or the hard sided case(Olympus things) Big lens lives all by its self in its own case. Yes caps on eveything. I'd worry about the zip lock, here with the high humidity and heat. So far never had problems. After 30+ years I have an Old Pentax Spotmatic that still shoots well and never did anything but keep it in the house(but I just don't use film anymore) .

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Smile often and Laugh Loud! because my country is run by clowns.

In the bag or at the desk with the lens cap on ...

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Canon 5D2, 7D, 50D & Canon s95 | Canon Lenses: 28-135mm, 17-55mm, 10-22mm, 15-85mm, 100mm 2.8 USM Macro and the 50mm 1.4 | Speedlite 580EX II and 430EX II |

Hi,

Im surprised the majority of you are storing it just as is . Good, but maybe its also because most of you arent in a coastal area (humid weather). I think i will also get rid of the Ziplock pouch. As mentioned above it also helps keep what is inside permanantly inside.

I dont know how often most of you use your camera. But my usage will be almost every weekend. I understand any sensitive gadget like this if left for months together will develop some sort of fungus problem. So its better to use it at least on a weekly basis.

And like most of you suggested, im extremely careful about maintaining equipment. I always have my lens cap on and just remove it for a couple of shots, then its back on again .

But i wonder why some people buy camera cabinets with temp control n stuff. Thats overdoing it right ?

Regards

in my opinion it's overdoing it yes. I use my camera at least 4 times a week.. if i don't i get shaky hands and just have to take photos of something!
i think that even though you're in a coastal area you don't need any special storing eqipment.. if your room is relatively dry, you'll be just fine keeping everything in a photo bag.
btw, since you asked plainman, i have a canon 30D.

_________________
Always aim higher- Beyond the limit

Journey of light - my blog!
www.anelfoto.blogspot.com

It depends on where you live. If you're in a frequently high humidity area then the dry cabinets may be required to prevent fungus. In other regions that isn't a problem at all, so no special storage is really needed unless you're paranoid.

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Canon DSLRs: 7D, 5D2, 1D, 600D, 450D full spectrum, 300D IR mod
Lenses: EF 35/2, 50/1.8, 85/1.8, 135/2+SF, 28-80 V, 70-300L, 100-400L, TS-E 24/3.5L, MP-E 65, EF-S 15-85 IS
3rd party: Zeiss 2/50 makro, Samyang 8mm fisheye, Sigma 150 macro, 120-300 f/2.8 OS, Celestron 1325/13
Tinies: Sony HX9V.