Protection of the Collection

[MikeyGaGa]

My brother wanted an eveready case for his Nikon SLR;I gave him mine since I never use it ,and told him while it will protect the camera from bumps and gentle falls,but not much more.

Then i thought about my collection of 35mm RFs-I have no cases for most of them,but keep them in plastic drawer units. As the cameras age,and as any one of them gets only occasional use,whats the best way to preserve them?

Whats the ideal temparature and humidity,for example to keep the oil from drying out or leaking,or from discouraging fungus? Will the plastic drawers I keep them in emit fumes injurious to lens coatings?

Expert comments appreciated.

Mikey GaGa

 

[Avotius]

I have a Wonderful (thats the brand name...) plug in dry box and it says for cameras and stuff you should keep the humidity around 40-50%

 

[dll927]

There is a school of thought that says an ever-ready case is "never ready".

There was a time when, if you bought a 35mm camera, you got a 50mm lens and a case. Under those conditions, if you are going to keep the camera in the case, it's going to have to come out every time you change film. That can get old.

It's been eons since I've seen any mention of a case coming with a camera. They come in a box with all manner of styrofoam and plastic packing. Same for lenses. The main type of 'case' that matters is one to haul your collection around in. And those usually have foam sections to protect things.

I doubt if most people worry about storing and humidity conditions. Sure, they matter, but unless you leave a camera sitting around forever, it probably isn't much of an issue.