How to store lenses? - FM Forums

Register · Search · Software · Join Upload & Sell · Hosting

Moderated by: Fred Miranda

FM Forum Rules
Nikon SLRs, primes, and zooms lenses reviews

FM Forums \| Nikon-mount SLRs \| Join Upload & Sell	Search Used
1 2 end

Archive 2009 · How to store lenses?

francishmt
Offline
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #1 · How to store lenses?

When your lenses are not in use for a while (say 6 months), how do you store them? I heard that fungus can grow if not stored properly.

So, what is the "proper" way?

Feb 13, 2009 at 04:22 AM

jmcfadden
Offline
Dedicated FM
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #2 · How to store lenses?

in ANY air conditioned environment it would be highly unlikely that fungus would Ever be an issue, seeing that you live in Canada i would say that you need never ever think of it again. Just keep it upstairs in the conditioned space

Feb 13, 2009 at 04:28 AM

Bifurcator
Offline
Dedicated FM
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #3 · How to store lenses?

Fungus can grow on a lens in just about any environment. The lens barrel is not air-tight and all kinds of spores and other contaminants enter and if not exposed to UV will grow and eat the coating and the glass. This happens more often in semi-tropical climates like southern California, Florida, and etc. but it can and does happen in N. Dakota just the same. I dunno if there is one specific way or not but you can purchase anti-fungal packets which are good for many years. If you place your lens in a zip-lock freezer baggy with the anti-fungal packet inside you should be fine for however long you need to store them.

If you're the nervous type, practiced using your lenses is dirty environments (around kept livestock, old musty abandoned buildings, etc.), and additionally live in a semi-tropical or tropical climate then you can also buy a UV emitting light and expose your lens to it for a few hours before storage. That might be extreme but it would ensure nothing was alive prior to storage.

Edited on Feb 13, 2009 at 06:36 AM · View previous versions

Feb 13, 2009 at 06:26 AM

fusiongt
Offline
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #4 · How to store lenses?

What about storing it with one of those "liquid suckers" (you know those little packets you find when you buy something). Would that help?

Feb 13, 2009 at 06:28 AM

Bifurcator
Offline
Dedicated FM
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #5 · How to store lenses?

Maybe but they don't fight fungus directly like the anti-fungal packs do. You mean the silicone sand packets right?

BTW, another way to avoid fungus is to use a proper dust blower and not blow on lenses with bacteria ladened breath.

Feb 13, 2009 at 06:30 AM

Chrono1081
Offline
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #6 · How to store lenses?

I get fungus in my living area at work sometimes and its always airconditioned.

Use dessicants (the liquid sucker things) someone mentioned. Sore the box in a cool DRY place. (AC doesnt necessarily mean dry as temp changes can cause humidity) and out of sunlight. Throw some dessicants in the box and you should be good to go.

Feb 13, 2009 at 06:36 AM

Bifurcator
Offline
Dedicated FM
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #7 · How to store lenses?

You mean desiccants?

Feb 13, 2009 at 06:39 AM

Ivo Heshusius
Offline
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #8 · How to store lenses?

Hmm.. small packs with silica gel in the original pouch does the trick for me! Never had any issues with fungus in 25 years

Feb 13, 2009 at 09:13 AM

Conor Cahill
Offline
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #9 · How to store lenses?

I remember seeing quite a few discussions here on FM about this and there was a lot of people saying (quite heatedly) that if you live in airco or central heated buildings, you are unlikely to have a problem.

I am paranoid however and when I'm in humid places for more than a few weeks I pack desiccant. I bought some 'driboxes' (check them out at sorbentsystems.com I believe). The advantage is that the silca gel pellets are impregnated with an indicator that turns blue when they need recharging. You recharge in a microwave (I found that hard) or in a cool oven (easier). I believe they were about $17 for 2 boxes about the size of a big matchbox. The website tells you what volume each of them should dry out.

You also need to pay attention to where you are storing the gear. The website above says that ziploc bags aren't great. Most recently I used a Pelicase and had to recharge the boxes every 4 weeks or so.

C

Feb 13, 2009 at 07:07 PM

Bifurcator
Offline
Dedicated FM
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #10 · How to store lenses?

Where does it say zip-lock baggies aren't good? I looked but didn't see any mention either way.

Feb 14, 2009 at 12:38 AM

90 5.0
Offline
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #11 · How to store lenses?

I put them back in their box in my closet with the silicon desiccant packets.

My dad always stored his lenses for long periods of time in his closet but he never used the packets Thats something I started doing.

I have a 28 2.8 hand me down lens that he gave me when I was young(my first lens) and it still looks brand new as far as the lens elements go.

Feb 14, 2009 at 12:50 AM

Conor Cahill
Offline
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #12 · How to store lenses?

Bifurcator wrote:
Where does it say zip-lock baggies aren't good? I looked but didn't see any mention either way.

Here it is,

IMPORTANT: A plastic "freezer grade" ziplock bag is not a very good place to keep moisture sensitive objects. However, any of these containers, including the plastic ziplock bag, will work when used in conjunction with the DRI-BOX. BUT.... Because these are not perfectly sealed containers,you may have to re-generate the DRI-BOX more often, perhaps as much as every month.

Quoted from here: about 1/4 way down the page

http://www.sorbentsystems.com/desiccants_dri-box_appl.html

Feb 14, 2009 at 08:42 AM

ReyGay
Offline
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #13 · How to store lenses?

A pro photog friend of mine uses a "Dry Box" that was made in Japan. It looks like a classic oversized microwave. To be honest, I place my lenses anywhere in the house

but I do monitor the humidity and always have a dehumdifier if things aren't right.

My Flickr Gallery
My Nikonians gallery
View my DNA

Feb 14, 2009 at 12:20 PM

Bojack
Offline
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #14 · How to store lenses?

Might take a look at Zorb-It

Feb 14, 2009 at 01:44 PM

rjk55425
Offline
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #15 · How to store lenses?

I had always heard that one didn't need to worry about mold or fungus affecting gear unless you exposed them to abnormally high humidity for prolonged periods of time. Then I saw a lens that was filled with inner fungus and the owner claimed he wasn't aware of having the lens in such condition:

This image is copyrighted by the owner

This image is copyrighted by the owner

This image is copyrighted by the owner

This image is copyrighted by the owner

This image is copyrighted by the owner

This was a very expensive lens so it made me rethink how I store my lenses. A safe method would be to get some of these boxes (larger cannisters can also be found) and toss into a large case of some sort. I took a bunch of these with me to a trip to a rain forrest. Maybe only worry about this in certain seasons.

http://www.sorbentsystems.com/desiccants_dri-box_appl.html

Feb 14, 2009 at 04:39 PM

phatnev
Offline
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #16 · How to store lenses?

Maybe if you don't use a lens for 6 months you should reconsider having said lens?

Feb 14, 2009 at 06:58 PM

Bifurcator
Offline
Dedicated FM
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #17 · How to store lenses?

rjk55425,
Yep! That looks like it's still alive and growing.

Here's an element from a lens I repaired a few months ago. The lens is back in service and working nicely - this is just the damaged element. I dunno if you can see it in this shot but there's two layers of damage here. One that ate the coating and one that actually ate the glass. The fungi is long dead here.

This image is copyrighted by the owner

This image is copyrighted by the owner

Nasty stuff!

And BTW, this wasn't exposed to long periods of humidity either. All it takes is getting the right spores on and letting them get a start. Luckily the Sun's UV rays will kill it so if you shoot outdoors in the daylight once a week for an hour or two you're chances of being vandalized by these little critters slims a bit.

Feb 14, 2009 at 07:00 PM

Bifurcator
Offline
Dedicated FM
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #18 · How to store lenses?

Also I would recommend actually using "Anti-Fungal" packets and not silica sand or gel bags. Anything that says "anti-fungal" or "fungicide" on the package will do.

I have a few packets called Hakuba Extra Strength Fungicide and a few called Fuji-Film Fungicide. Searching for either only turns up this:
http://shashinki.com/shop/hakuba-ultra-strong-antifungus-packs-camera-lens-p-605.html
And I'm not sure that's the same thing.

Anyway, spores are everywhere already. Probably every camera lens in the field has spores on it. For the spores to begin growing they need moisture for a short period of time. (10 or 20 min.? depending on the kind of fungus.) Once started they no longer need the moisture to continue growing although for new spores to start it needs it again. This is not any guarantee tho because a single growth can be very large. Once it starts it can continue growing on it's own without moisture! In fact some fungi synthesize their own moisture from the hydrogen contained in whatever they're growing out of and the surrounding oxygen molecules. So just using silica won't work - for example if you shot on a misty or rainy day for an hour or two and then dried the lens and stored it in with the silica sand bag. In fact using too many of silica packs is known to dry out the lubricants used in lenses, so if you do use silica then you need to use your discretion with the quantity. If fungal growth has already started and if it's the type that doesn't need continuous external hydrogenation you're just as screwed with silica as without. Once those hyphae are going about their business silica sand won't do diddly squat! Something with a mild fungicide that hopefully lasts a long time is needed!

Holistically speaking thyme, oregano, and carom are all naturally occurring fungicides. If you can't find anti-fungal packets where you live a paper bag with an ounce or two taped along the seam and kept in your case will do the trick! Of course the best way to prevent it from happening is just to get out in the sunshine and shoot more often.

EDIT:
Oh wait. Here we go... the KMC-04 in this document says "fungicide" on it!

Edited on Feb 14, 2009 at 08:36 PM · View previous versions

Feb 14, 2009 at 08:28 PM

Paratima
Offline
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #19 · How to store lenses?

Bifurcator wrote:
This happens more often in semi-tropical climates like southern California, Florida, and etc. but it can and does happen in N. Dakota just the same.

Good advice, but to clarify your geography/climatology, California is a desert environment. Florida is semi-tropical.

Feb 14, 2009 at 08:33 PM

Bifurcator
Offline
Dedicated FM
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #20 · How to store lenses?

Umm I grew up there. Between the mountains and the ocean is semi-tropical. On the other side of the mountains is desert. So we're both right actually.

Feb 14, 2009 at 08:37 PM

EltonTeng
Online
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #21 · How to store lenses?

Bifurcator wrote:
Umm I grew up there. Between the mountains and the ocean is semi-tropical. On the other side of the mountains is desert. So we're both right actually.

I live in Orange County. We get about 7 inches of rain each year (14 inches in North LA.) This makes our climate semi-tropical? Humidity is low here except when it rains.

Feb 14, 2009 at 09:36 PM

Bifurcator
Offline
Dedicated FM
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #22 · How to store lenses?

L O L !!! You sure you're from OC? I grew up in Laguna. Parts of OC get between 25 and 40 inches a year.

This image is copyrighted by the owner

This image is copyrighted by the owner

See those dark green areas? Put that map through a blur filter and everything that's greenish classifies as semi-tropical. Did you know that just up the coast a ways still in California there are some major rain forests?

You guys are silly!

Buy a motorcycle and spend some time seeing the State you live in!

Edited on Feb 15, 2009 at 02:38 AM · View previous versions

Feb 15, 2009 at 02:24 AM

Bifurcator
Offline
Dedicated FM
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #23 · How to store lenses?

Here's a newer one. 2007 - Shows the whole state.

This image is copyrighted by the owner

This image is copyrighted by the owner

Source USGS Educational Site. http://education.usgs.gov/california/maps/california_precipitation2.htm

Feb 15, 2009 at 02:29 AM

EltonTeng
Online
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #24 · How to store lenses?

Bifurcator wrote:
L O L !!! You sure you're from OC? I grew up in Laguna. Parts of OC get between 25 and 40 inches a year.

This image is copyrighted by the owner

This image is copyrighted by the owner

See those dark green areas? Put that map through a blur filter and everything that's greenish classifies as semi-tropical. Did you know that just up the coast a ways still in California there are some major rain forests?

You guys are silly!

Buy a motorcycle and spend some time seeing the State you live in!

Based on your map, Bifurcator, which part of OC gets 25 to 40 inches per year? Please name the municipality - just one in order to educate me.

Feb 15, 2009 at 02:43 AM

Bifurcator
Offline
Dedicated FM
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #25 · How to store lenses?

Sigh... I give up!

Yes, you're right. All of So. California is a Desert. Nothing can live there. The map is a lie. It's a conspiracy!

Fungus doesn't exist either.

Feb 15, 2009 at 02:50 AM


FM Forums \| Nikon-mount SLRs \| Join Upload & Sell 1 2 end