Dry Box for your gear?

D

donny

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Jul 11, 2014
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Hey Guys. I'm ust wondering if anyone in North America stores older or more expensive gear in dry boxes or the like. I'm slowly picking up some older lenses and an M9 (finally!) and I'd like to keep things fungus free and useable for as long as possible, especially the glass.

If so, what do you use?

Apologies if this has come up before, I did a search but perhaps not extensively enough.

Thanks!
 
If you're going to be using the lenses and gear, it seems to me that defeats the purpose of the dry box. If you are going to store long term, be sure to have a large bag of desiccant in the bag as well. Unless you are in a very moist climate I think that a well ventilated storage would be plenty sufficient.
 
The gear I'm currently using is on the counter, in a messenger bag, in a Domke bag, etc. Basically - within easy reach.

The rest is in a Pelican case with several "rechargeable" desiccant cartridges.
 
I also agree that the so-called dry bag/box will keep the moisture inside, which can be a complete disaster. I once left a camera a bit too long in a dry bag after a kayaking trip, it completely ruined that body.
 
You don't just put your gear in a dry box. Obviously it also needs a dehumidifier in there, as well as a humidity gauge (too dry is also bad - you want the level to be between 35-50% humidity).
I use the following:
1/ Humidity gauge - AcuRite 00613A1 Indoor Humidity Monitor
2/ Eva-dry E-333 Dehumidifier - wireless, just recharge by plugging into an outlet when needed.
3/ Air tight trunk from The Container Store (but most hardware stores would have something) http://www.containerstore.com/shop?productId=10024301&N=&Ntt=airtight+trunk

Put your camera gear (in your camera bag if you want) in the trunk with the dehumidifier and gauge. Done. Total cost just over $100. Your gear is protected from humidity and dust. It takes just a second to retrieve it. And if you've been shooting in humid conditions, just the act of putting it into the trunk will help dry it out.

Using common sense, you should never put your gear into a dry box unless you have a dehumidifier in there as you could cause condensation to build up without it.
 
Thanks for the info so far guys.

My words were wrong, dry box wasn't as general a description as I thought so I guess along with common sense you can see I lack experience with this. Anyway, I'm aware of the need for a dehumidifier of some sort, hence the bit about trying to avoid fungus.

I was thinking about something like this: http://www.amazon.com/Electronic-Dehumidify-Dry-Cabinet-Box/dp/B0086LMFF8

Darthfeeble's comment makes sense though, I guess if I'll be using the stuff regularly the container won't matter as much. I live in a smaller space that's always really warm and I feel like all the cooking adds to the humidity levels, even here in igloo laden Canada.
 
Where I live in the winter humidity tends to be low. In the summer I run the air conditioner which removes moisture. I store my gear with desicant packages. I am pretty sure that unless you live in a very humid climate or store your cameras in a damp basement you will not have much to worry about.
 
Steve Bellayr said:
Where I live in the winter humidity tends to be low. In the summer I run the air conditioner which removes moisture. I store my gear with desicant packages. I am pretty sure that unless you live in a very humid climate or store your cameras in a damp basement you will not have much to worry about.
Click to expand...

Sure, that's probably fine. But if you live in a tropical place, there is virtually no way to avoid fungus without a dry cabinet. Not A/C, not a dehumidifier. Believe me, I lived for years in tropical climate. New lenses would get fungus in just a few years.... I used to spend tons of money getting lenses cleaned out. And if you wait too long it actually etches the glass. All my photographer friends in S.E. Asia and in the Caribbean use them...
 
donny said:
Hey Guys. I'm ust wondering if anyone in North America stores older or more expensive gear in dry boxes or the like. I'm slowly picking up some older lenses and an M9 (finally!) and I'd like to keep things fungus free and useable for as long as possible, especially the glass.

If so, what do you use?

Apologies if this has come up before, I did a search but perhaps not extensively enough.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

I was using a little camera storage cabinet when I lived in Hawaii. It was fine for keeping your gear in even when you are using it regularly. I had a little Toyo Living cabinet I brought from Japan. Based on the research I did they seem to be the best maker of camera storage cabinets, but I had to actually buy it in Japan and bring it home with me on the plane. I ran it through a little voltage converter to step down the US 120v to the Japan 100v.

Would definitely recommend one of these if you can swing it!
 
Never had one here in Minnesota.

I use a stack bookshelf with glass hinged front for each shelf that works for me.

Letting the cabinet breathe works for me.
 
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