I'm in Sydney which is a lot more humid and a not good news for lenses. I have effectively lost one Nikon lens in just under 30 years to fungus - a lovely 85mm f/2 lens. It is repairable but at at around $150 that's about what it is worth on eBay.As I don't use my Nikon FM any more, not much point getting it cleaned.Never lost a film although I haven't looked at my old stored negatives in donkey's. Any digital camera, including the 350D is likely to be well and truly obsolete before fungus will be a problem. The FM2 will be working after you die from old age. Hasn't seems to affected the mirror or prism in my FM.So what's a dry cabinet going to set you back and how effective are they?
You don't need a dry cabinet for digital camera equipment Unless you have a certain Sony CCD. Mind you, almost all manufacturers that used those dud CCD's have finally now published advisories and also fortunately the number of cameras impacted are low comparatively.I still store my gear in a dry cupboard that was home made.
Are dry cabinets for photographic equipment necessary in Australia, especially if you're living in the metro areas (Melbourne)? I use some drying crystals and an airtight plastic container for my lenses. The crystals come with every electronic dodad I buy, I just heat them in the oven on a cool evening, then throw them into the bin with all my junk. I mean valuable photographic equipment . For the camera and standard lens I usually don't worry, I figure it gets enough use that it'll wear out before there's a problem.What you're trying to avoid is growing fungus. So cool dark spaces are best. Cool, dark and dry is slightly better, but warm, light and moist is to be avoided at all costs - never put gear away wet.
Product Name: Camera Dry Box/Dry Cabinet Part Number: KPDB-3828 Specification: Solid: box for high impact resistance of polymer materials, one injection molding, tenacious resistance. Seal: The flat flexible foam-rubber seal, to ensure that the water tightness. Durability: All stainless steel hinge axis materials, anti-corrosion durability. Multi-purpose: to work in the range of -25degree to +80degree; moisture absorption matching card can achieve low humidity preservation; may also serve the practical needs of matching accessories, to meet a variety of special requirements. AC Recyclable Moisture Absorber. Built in air-valve to secure the air seal to maximum tightness. Exterior Size: L380 x W275 x H265 Weight: 2.9kg. Built in hygrometer.
.jpg "dry cabinet camera")
