Re: [Leica] Camera Storage

["Harry Mitchell" <harry_mitchell@email.msn.com>]

Thanks for the great info on my question .. Harry

- -----Original Message-----
From: CapsTeeth <CapsTeeth@aol.com>
To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us>
Date: Saturday, January 10, 1998 9:00 PM
Subject: Re: [Leica] Camera Storage


>In a message dated 98-01-10 18:57:16 EST, >  Harry writes:
>
>> I have a question that I am sure has come up before on this list but I
have
>>  only been a subscriber for about two months. I have a M3 and a M6 , when
>not
>>  in use I keep the cameras with the lens attached inside their respective
>>  eveready cases. Is there any problem with this ? A fellow I met in the
>>  camera shop today thinks its wise to store the bodies outside the case
with
>>  the lens removed (with a body cap on) and store the lens with the caps
on
>>  seperataly. I would like the groups advise on this. Thanks in advance
(and
>>  for all the great info I get on the list).
>
>               You didn't say how long the storage intervals are between
use,
>but if they are unused for more than a month here's what I would recommend
>from years of storing cameras and lenses in a tropical climate with no
>casualties so far:
>                         --take the cameras out of the everready cases
(they
>can give off gasses from chemicals used in dyeing/tanning and can even rot)
>and keep them in a camera bag with the zippers open slightly.   Unless you
>live in the desert, a little house dust is a lot better than no air at all.
>Mildew and fungus thrive in dark, humid places.  Some fungus bacteria are
>anaerobic--they grow without the presence of oxygen.  I would also remove
the
>lenses and cap everything up separately to prevent any chance of corrosion
>from metal-to-metal contact in the presence of humidity.  Remove the
batteries
>from the M6 and any other equipment that uses them.
>                          --make sure the cameras are in a cool, dry place.
A
>closet should have an air conditioning vent.  Do not store cameras in
attics,
>garages or basements unless they are kept heated/air
conditioned/hedumidified
>just like the rest of the house.  If you live in a humid climate it's a
good
>idea to also place desssicant cannisters (and empty/refill them regularly)
>like Damp-Rid in the area.
>                          --Exercise them once a month.  Operate all the
>moving controls several times and fire the shutter a couple/3 times at each
>speed.  This is more important for mechanical cameras like Leicas than
>electronic ones, but it's good for them also.  Operate the helicoids and
>diaphragms of lenses.
>                          -- Especially important if you live in a humid
area,
>lenses should be exposed to UV light to prevent/kill bacteria growth that
>causes fungus.  Remove lenscaps and expose lenses to sunlight, or an
electric
>UV light source (such as a plant growing light or the light used to prevent
>algae growth in aquariums) for several hours once a month.  Examine lenses
>internally with a penlight and have them serviced at the first hint of
fungus
>before it's too late.
>                          --The best advice:  buy film and take your Leicas
>out and enjoy shooting them often.  They're nice and light and are great to
>take on long walks/jogs...which keeps you in as great condition as them!
>