Lenses in a (dry) cedar humidor?

[Jhausler]

I have an old cedar wood humidor that never did well for cigars. It could not hold moisture or humidity.

It's the perfect size to hold a few M mount lenses, so I was wondering if this is a good idea or a terrible idea.

Again, there's definitely no moisture or humidity. I couldn't keep it humid even when i tried. Thanks!

 

[maddoc]

Fungus likes organic materials and darkness, I would not store my Leica lenses in a dark wooden humidor.

 

[Rob-F]

I've kept my gear in a Sears Craftsman tool chest, the kind with drawers and rollers, for 20 years. I think the metal construction is probably ideal, as it doesn't retain moisture. I would not use wood unless it's an open display cabinet so that air can circulate freely. The environment should be one that is healthy for people, say 60 to 80 degrees at low to moderate humidity. (Cloth shutter curtains can dry out and crack if humidity is too low.)

 

[farlymac]

I would also think the gassing off of the cedar may have an effect on your lenses.

PF

 

[rluka]

Talking about wooden box, I read about this paulownia wood box in a magazine article of Kyoto's Leica Store opening.
http://zin.leaseands.com/?pid=69902952
but it also came with Fujifilm's fungicide product

or something like this display box.

 

[Jhausler]

Yeah, i had similar concerns but thought I would ask.

How do you folks store your lenses? Nothing too long term, but I only take one out at a time.

I've been keeping them out on a shelf, but was mainly looking for something a more tidy.

 

[noisycheese]

Yeah, i had similar concerns but thought I would ask.

How do you folks store your lenses? Nothing too long term, but I only take one out at a time.

I've been keeping them out on a shelf, but was mainly looking for something a more tidy.

I store my cameras and lenses one of two ways - either in a Pelican case or in a camera bag. Pelican case for long term storage, camera bag for the gear that I use regularly.

I will wrap a couple of these in a cotton hankerchief, put a rubber band around them and put them in with the cameras and lenses to prevent humidity/mold/fungus: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...IrTs9y8_b4CFVSVMgodb2oAfQ&Q=&is=REG&A=details

This has worked perfectly for years on end.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Humidity-controlled, glass-fronted "dry" cabinet. Expensive but worth it. And not as expensive as the lenses that are in it.

Cheers,

R.

 

[sevo]

"Could not hold moisture or humidity" simply means the thing is poorly sealed, and will not hold low moisture or humidity either. It would be at least as unsuitable for the task as any exposed shelf.

If you have money to burn, you might get a properly working humidor and replace the humidifier with a tray full of silica gel. But any sealed glass cupboard would do at least as good a job at that, for less money, as it is actually easier to create a compact dry storage than one with a stable moisture level.

 

[rick oleson]

Unless you live in a humid area without air conditioning, I would try to keep them open to circulating conditioned air. I would certainly not seal them up in a wooden box.