Leather cases damage cameras?

[35mmdelux]

Ive read that leather cases damage cameras because of mold? Is this everywhere or in humid climates only?

Thanks.

PS: My M7 sports a half-case.

 

[dap]

I would only worry about it if the camera was in a humid climate. In any case, I don't think a half case would cause much of an issue.

 

[Bassism]

I think that it's more in the case of a camera that sits in a dark cupboard for years at a time. In this situation, an everready case can lock in the moisture which would allow fungus to form over time.

A camera can still breathe in a half case, so I wouldn't worry about it. In any case, as long as you use the camera regularly, I can't see it being an issue.

 

[35mmdelux]

Shooting in Joshua Tree National Park it was so hot I could not even hold my black M6; possibly 115-120 degrees fahrenheit. Covered the camera as much as possible and the film survived. I guess that will fry any mold.

 

[maddoc]

Dry heat and lots of sunlight is the best "medicine" against mold. I wouldn't store my camera with halfcase in a dark drawer, though.

 

[tajart]

i've heard that cameras housed in their old cases could suffer pitting from the tannin used in preparing the leather. As the story was told, and this was some years ago, it was said many a collector were sadly disappointed when they went to fetch their highly prized collectible only to find pitting when they opened the case...

 

[bucks11]

I've seen some damaged cameras come from the cases but I just opened my grandpa's old C-4 that has been in its case, in the attic, since the early 70s and there wasn't a sign of mold or that gut-wrenching musty scent...

Must've been a lucky one...

 

[momus1]

Let's put it this way. When I first moved to Hawaii, a place that has less humidity than southern Florida, I threw a leather belt in the top of my closet. One month later I took it out and it was completely green. Granted Hilo got a lot of rain, but it shows mold is no joke. I was constantly worried about fungus there. Now, even though we live in the desert, I keep my leather cases in one drawer and the cameras for them in another. Don't forget that a camera that gets fungus into it's lens can give it to another camera you have. Spores are microscopic and seem to thrive in lenses, munching away at the coatings.

 

[35mmdelux]

Thank you for the FYIs.

 

[peter_n]

Agree completely. I won't buy anything leather for my stuff - bags, cases or even straps.

 

[icebear]

You have to breathe yourself, so get your camera some air too 😉.

 

[Jason Sprenger]

Beware of foam as well. My Dad's IIf and IIIg bear the scars of that junk breaking down.

Seeing that crime-scene taught me that cases and bags are for carrying, not for storing.