Dry Cabinet

[Ah_keong]

hey guys,
im planning to get a dry cabinet since i have a cash voucher for olympus from the ITshow.
i have 4 lens now, and one camera, what size do you guys suggest i buy? They only have 4 types on sale

https://www.shopatolympus.com.sg/accessories/dry-cabinets.html
DB-36 DRY CABINET
AD-060N DRY CABINET
AD-100N DRY CABINET
DHC-120 DRY CABINET

is it ok to put my leather gloves/bag in too? or is it better not to mix?

Also, if i go travelling, is it ok to turn off the dry cabinet and put a couple of silica gels instead? I might leave behind a couple of lenses i don't need at home.

for 4 lens, I think the AD-060 would be good for now and if you need to add more lens later.

if price is not an issue, get the largest possible cabinet so that there would not be an issue when you have too much lens....

I only put electronics and optics stuff in the cabinet. like lens, body, flash, etc.

it is ok to switch off, I occasionally switch off during the weekends to "sunbathe" the lens I am not using for the shoot.

 

[kinlet]

Thank you ah keong!

 

[keenklee]

h

is it ok to put my leather gloves/bag in too? or is it better not to mix?

Also, if i go travelling, is it ok to turn off the dry cabinet and put a couple of silica gels instead? I might leave behind a couple of lenses i don't need at home.

Leather will dry and then crack in low humidity unless conditioner is applied often.

Are you referring to those desiccant in small packets?
Usually they are no longer effective after expose to the surrounding air.

 

[Matrock5]

The leather on the camera grip not sure will it crack.

Leather will dry and then crack in low humidity unless conditioner is applied often.

Are you referring to those desiccant in small packets?
Usually they are no longer effective after expose to the surrounding air.

 

[EJB]

The leather on the camera grip not sure will it crack.

They will, thus the recommended humidity is between 45-55%.

Bearing in mind analogue cabinets have about 8% inaccuracy (opposed to digital at 3%), setting at 50 will result in either 58% max or 42% min.

Also, adjusting for AD cabinets can be very trying, until you find the correct level of humidity, DHC cabinets are more straightforward (at a price).

 

[thedigitalmoments]

is it ok to put my leather gloves/bag in too? or is it better not to mix?

Also, if i go travelling, is it ok to turn off the dry cabinet and put a couple of silica gels instead? I might leave behind a couple of lenses i don't need at home.

One does not need to switch off the dry cabinet, just make sure that the motor at the back is

1) well ventilated (to prevent it from getting hot unnecessarily),
2) not in the sunlight
3) no combustible materials near/ covering the motor at the rear
4) Motor not pushed to the maximum work capacity (about half is fine)

All these are to mainly prevent Fire Breakouts (though I have never heard of a dry cab catching fire), prevention is better than cure.

Regards,
TDM

 

[Matrock5]

Can we put it in our bomb shelter?

One does not need to switch off the dry cabinet, just make sure that the motor at the back is

1) well ventilated (to prevent it from getting hot unnecessarily),
2) not in the sunlight
3) no combustible materials near/ covering the motor at the rear
4) Motor not pushed to the maximum work capacity (about half is fine)

All these are to mainly prevent Fire Breakouts (though I have never heard of a dry cab catching fire), prevention is better than cure.

Regards,
TDM

 

[thedigitalmoments]

Can we put it in our bomb shelter?

I dont see a problem with that, just keep the motor well ventilated and away from easily combustible materials, you should be fine.

Regards,
TDM

 

[dryteletubby]

Hmm is a dry cabinet actually necessary? I store my camera equipments in a air tight container with silica gel. Is it enough?

 

[Pokémon]

Hmm is a dry cabinet actually necessary? I store my camera equipments in a air tight container with silica gel. Is it enough?

You need to keep changing the silica gel, can be a hassle.

Just get a dry cabinet, and it can last you for many years and do away with that hassle.

 

[reanimator]

Hmm is a dry cabinet actually necessary? I store my camera equipments in a air tight container with silica gel. Is it enough?

Like what user: Pokémon said - It can be quite a hassle to keep changing the gels. Also, as you expand your inventory, you may end up using multiple containers to store your gears . Unless of course, you are keeping it simple with just a camera and the kit lens

 

[Matrock5]

So far I only have a body n lens is it very urgent to buy a dry cabinet no? Can I wait first? Need to save up. Thks

 

[dryteletubby]

Like what user: Pokémon said - It can be quite a hassle to keep changing the gels. Also, as you expand your inventory, you may end up using multiple containers to store your gears . Unless of course, you are keeping it simple with just a camera and the kit lens

I have a Sony a6000 and about 6 lenses probably not expanding my setup in the foreseeable future. How does one know if the gel needs to be replaced? Do they run out of material?

 

[Matrock5]

Any Experts Advice?

So far I only have a body n lens is it very urgent to buy a dry cabinet no? Can I wait first? Need to save up. Thks

 

[magix]

So far I only have a body n lens is it very urgent to buy a dry cabinet no? Can I wait first? Need to save up. Thks

Depends on your storage condition (house tempature and humidity level) and would suggest u get a cheap gel box to store the camera.

 

[keenklee]

Hmm is a dry cabinet actually necessary? I store my camera equipments in a air tight container with silica gel. Is it enough?

You will "over dry" your equipment.

 

[keenklee]

So far I only have a body n lens is it very urgent to buy a dry cabinet no? Can I wait first? Need to save up. Thks

The ideal RH is between 45%-55%.
In one of my room, the lowest RH is 56% and highest 95%.

If you have a spare air tight container around, you can get by using a hygrometer and those moisture absorber pack ( thirsty-hippo like ).

Maybe cheaper if you have aircon.

 

[virtualape]

So far I only have a body n lens is it very urgent to buy a dry cabinet no? Can I wait first? Need to save up. Thks

get a small dry cabinet. less than $100. some money can save and some cant.

mold can develop within a week depending on humidity where you store your camera.

my company's camera is kept in my pedestal for over 4 years now. no mold/fungus. perhaps because most of the time the aircon is on except for weekends.

 

[Matrock5]

get a small dry cabinet. less than $100. some money can save and some cant.

mold can develop within a week depending on humidity where you store your camera.

my company's camera is kept in my pedestal for over 4 years now. no mold/fungus. perhaps because most of the time the aircon is on except for weekends.

Thanks for ur advice but mostly i see the DHC digi cabi is over 200

 

[Ah_keong]

So far I only have a body n lens is it very urgent to buy a dry cabinet no? Can I wait first? Need to save up. Thks

I used to store it in a dry box (used to store rice) and use blue silica gel....

before getting a Dry Cabinet.