Dry cabinets

[Unframed Dave]

Never heard of these until this morning. My gear is all stored in a spare room with low heat. Our house is drafty, poorly insulated and generally cold. Should I be thinking of getting one?

They are not that expensive and cost little to run.

Thoughts?

 

[Uncle Kevriano]

Probably not a bad idea for anything that's not weather sealed, like the older cameras and lenses you own, because humidity will cause mould spores etc. Whether it's as much as an issue for modern gear or modern houses I doubt. Obviously modern does not apply to your house.

 

[iamdlewis]

Are you in an area which experiences high humidity as an everyday thing? If yes then get one of not then -> Are you in an area which gets a few months of high humidity and you do not use A/C? If yes then get one of not then it is probably a waste of money for the purchase and on going expense of running it.
If where you store your gear is generally cold then there is less of a chance of mold growing which is what the dry cabinets prevent from happening.

 

[Thad E Ginathom]

Are you in an area which experiences high humidity as an everyday thing?

My friend back in London keeps grumbling about the humidity. I'd hate to tell her, but honestly, from my viewpoint of a super-humid bit of tropical 13 degrees north, she doesn't even know what humidity is!

I have a dry cabinet. I'm not sure, but I don't think I'd bother in Britain. Well, ok, having used one here, I would there because hey, why not. As mentioned, it is hardly expensive on our scale of photography prices, and I haven't measured (or even looked at the plate on the back (maybe I did on the day that I bought it) but I'm guessing that running costs is in the order of light bulb.

Even in a not-very-very-humid climate, I'd add one more thing to your list. Do you have lenses or bodies that are seldom used? That's the kit that is most at risk. And it might be the heirloom historical collection. Buy it a cabinet.

My every-day kit lives in the bag. Yes, it would be better discipline to put it back in the cabinet every day, but I don't. I do put it away for drying time when I'm not going out for a few days.

 

[Unframed Dave]

I've had a hygrometer running for a few days and it has topped this morning at 67%. Not exactly the tropics, but a fair bit above the 40 - 50 recommended.