Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2006/05/05

[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]

Subject: [Leica] Ideal Humidity for storage - or - it ain't the heat, it's the humidity.
From: Jim at hemenway.com (Jim Hemenway)
Date: Fri May 5 12:57:18 2006
References: <82c9dd70605050548k2a8f2196j607e0cbcce22ba6f@mail.gmail.com> <445B617C.2040704@hemenway.com> <82c9dd70605050743p4b988703k78e3ad7f2db499f@mail.gmail.com> <445BA86A.4070208@hemenway.com> <82c9dd70605051244u298b28aane2d70772667d278c@mail.gmail.com>

Wouldn't a (moisture absorbing) lidded, wooden box be ideal for mildew, 
since it likes conditions to be dark and damp?

<http://science.howstuffworks.com/question206.htm>
<http://froogle.google.com/froogle_cluster?q=silica+gel&pid=4742850583029146207&oid=4075542256137123457&btnG=Search+Froogle&scoring=mrd&hl=en>

Jim

Eric Korenman wrote:

> Thanks to all - I am thinking that a wooden box with a lid (non plastic) 
> and
> damp-rid packs might be my solution.
> 
> or.. installing a clean room for several million dollars is the way to go.
> Only after decontamination and donning a 'bunny suit' will I will allow
> anyone to touch my gear.
> 
> Eric
> 
> On 5/5/06, Jim Hemenway <Jim@hemenway.com> wrote:
> 
>>
>> Eric:
>>
>> I have no answer for you there, except to report that I've seen posts on
>> various lists during the last several years from photographers in places
>> like Singapore who swear by them.
>>
>> I like open windows too and even though it sometimes gets quite hot and
>> humid here in the Boston area, I don't do anything special except to
>> keep my gear out of the hot attic and the damp cellar.
>>
>> If it's too hot for me, then I figure that it's also too hot for my
>> photo gear, so I keep it scattered about on the same floor on which I
>> live, away from any sunny windows but open to the air so that leather
>> and other such parts don't mildew.
>>
>> I do have an air conditioner but prefer to use it only during the very
>> hottest 85+ nights. It's 80F at 3:30 PM here as I write this but I can't
>> feel any humidity.
>>
>> I keep most of my film in a cellar freezer until a few hours before I
>> intend to use it.
>>
>> Jim, "Don't worry, be happy" Hemenway
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Eric Korenman wrote:
>>
>> > That did cross my ming - I was wondering if those sealable containers
>> > de-gas
>> > and can damage our oh-so precious german glass?
>> >
>> > good memory about the Western Mass thing.
>> > Eric
>> >
>> >
>> > On 5/5/06, Jim Hemenway <Jim@hemenway.com> wrote:
>> >
>> >>
>> >> Eric:
>> >>
>> >> Ouch, Western Massachusetts in July...
>> >>
>> >> I don't think that the humidifier will work well for you because 
>> you'll
>> >> need to close the windows in that room for it to be effective, and 
>> then
>> >> you'll be too hot with the windows closed.
>> >>
>> >> Why not get one of those large Tupperware type containers with a lid
>> >> which seals well.  Get some silica gel, put it in your oven to be sure
>> >> that it's dried out and store it with your sealed gear.
>> >>
>> >> Jim
>> >>
>> >> Eric Korenman wrote:
>> >>
>> >> > Like a nice little OCD leica user, I am concerned about where I am
>> >> keeping
>> >> > my cameras.
>> >> > The correct answer, of course, is strapped from your next and in use
>> :)
>> >> >
>> >> > But I have gear I don't often use. In our our old house we were
>> blessed
>> >> > with
>> >> > a cool dry basement which I would peak at 50% humidity during the
>> >> summer.
>> >> > Our new basement is a swamp..
>> >> > I currently keep my gear on the 3d floor.
>> >> > Up there in my home office, it is getting warmer and warmer and the
>> >> > humidity
>> >> > is climbing.
>> >> > I may have to install a dehumidifier.
>> >> >
>> >> > Questions: What is the ideal humidity to store equipment? Or, what
>> >> humidity
>> >> > level should I try to maintain?
>> >> >
>> >> > We do not use AC. We like open windows. But I could install a
>> >> dehumidifier
>> >> > in my home office.
>> >> >
>> >> > Eric
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Leica Users Group.
>> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information
>>
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Leica Users Group.
> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information
> 
> 


Replies: Reply from faneuil at gmail.com (Eric Korenman) ([Leica] Ideal Humidity for storage - or - it ain't the heat, it's the humidity.)
Reply from mail at gpsy.com (Karen Nakamura) ([Leica] Ideal Humidity for storage - or - it ain't the heat,it's the humidity.)
In reply to: Message from faneuil at gmail.com (Eric Korenman) ([Leica] Ideal Humidity for storage - or - it ain't the heat, it's the humidity.)
Message from Jim at hemenway.com (Jim Hemenway) ([Leica] Ideal Humidity for storage - or - it ain't the heat, it's the humidity.)
Message from faneuil at gmail.com (Eric Korenman) ([Leica] Ideal Humidity for storage - or - it ain't the heat, it's the humidity.)
Message from Jim at hemenway.com (Jim Hemenway) ([Leica] Ideal Humidity for storage - or - it ain't the heat, it's the humidity.)
Message from faneuil at gmail.com (Eric Korenman) ([Leica] Ideal Humidity for storage - or - it ain't the heat, it's the humidity.)