Storing lenses off body

bfo · 05-16-2010, 02:28 PM

When you store lenses (with an aperture ring) off the camera body, are you supposed to set the aperture to a given position? Or is it of no concern. Typically you wold want to store a spring in a "relaxed" position to keep it from giving in to constant deformation. Is it the same way with lenses?

hcc · 05-16-2010, 03:55 PM

The most important is to keep your lenses in a dry environment.

PeteyJ · 05-16-2010, 06:43 PM

Yeah dry is most important. I don't worry about what my aperture is set to on my lens and I haven't had any problems, but I'll admit that I've only been in the game for a couple of years, so that might not be enough to cause any problems.

Wheatfield · 05-16-2010, 08:48 PM

With Pentax, it seems to me that the spring is relaxed when the lens is at minimum aperture (in the A position when dismounted), so I leave my lenses in the A position or minimum aperture (if I remember) in the case of non A lenses.
I think it is more important to use them, or at least exercise them periodically than it is to store them in any particular way, other than the dry and clean mentioned above.

rhodopsin · 05-16-2010, 09:15 PM

As said above dry and clean is important, also where temperature does not rise enough to melt helicoid grease.

In A or M position spring is relaxed unless diaphragm pin or lever is actuated, at least on all my lenses...

bdery · 05-17-2010, 05:15 AM

The DA lenses have no aperture ring and the iris closes down when the lens is removed from the body. That should be indicative of what Pentax expects us to do with our lenses

ducdao · 05-17-2010, 06:28 AM

Originally posted by rhodopsin

As said above dry and clean is important, also where temperature does not rise enough to melt helicoid grease.

In A or M position spring is relaxed unless diaphragm pin or lever is actuated, at least on all my lenses...

Most lens manufacturers use white lithium grease for internal lubricant, that type of grease easily supports heat up to 200C so I don't think one needs to worry too much about melting the grease. IMHO, the most important thing is to keep lenses in a dry place and use it when possible.

rhodopsin · 05-17-2010, 06:43 AM

Originally posted by ducdao

Most lens manufacturers use white lithium grease for internal lubricant, that type of grease easily supports heat up to 200C so I don't think one needs to worry too much about melting the grease. IMHO, the most important thing is to keep lenses in a dry place and use it when possible.

I would add one word between "manufacturers" and "use"; the word is "now."

It is unclear what era lenses OP has...

ducdao · 05-17-2010, 07:28 AM

Originally posted by rhodopsin

I would add one word between "manufacturers" and "use"; the word is "now."

It is unclear what era lenses OP has...

Right

Do you know of any lens manufacturers, regardless of era, that used grease that could be melted under 50-60C?

I'm interested to know as I have over 250 lenses from diverse eras and brands.

V10 · 05-17-2010, 07:42 AM

Is storing your lens with one of those 'do not eat' moisture absorbing packets recommended?

ducdao · 05-17-2010, 08:04 AM

Originally posted by V10

Is storing your lens with one of those 'do not eat' moisture absorbing packets recommended?

Those packets are called "silica gel". Yes, it's recommended to use those as long as you don't overuse them. Too dry is not good for your lenses either. The best way is to have a dry cabinet as it automatically controls the humidity. I read it somewhere that 30-50% of relative humidity level is recommended.

rhodopsin · 05-17-2010, 08:57 AM

Originally posted by ducdao

Right

Do you know of any lens manufacturers, regardless of era, that used grease that could be melted under 50-60C?

I'm interested to know as I have over 250 lenses from diverse eras and brands.

Any of those lenses have oily aperture blades?

My M42 S-M-C Takumar 1.8/85 did, for example. Luckily a good cleaning restored it to near-new condition; blades are now dry and snappy.

Black lens in direct sunlight (even through a window) or inside closed automobile parked in direct sun can reach temperatures higher than 50-60C.

ducdao · 05-18-2010, 12:43 AM

Originally posted by rhodopsin

Any of those lenses have oily aperture blades?

My M42 S-M-C Takumar 1.8/85 did, for example. Luckily a good cleaning restored it to near-new condition; blades are now dry and snappy.

Black lens in direct sunlight (even through a window) or inside closed automobile parked in direct sun can reach temperatures higher than 50-60C.

Haha right! My bad! I actually had my SMC-M 28 cleaned up a week ago for oily blades. I have few more Russian lenses that are really prone to oily blades issue.

Unsinkable II · 05-18-2010, 09:15 AM

As I've learnt the (almost) hard way. Dry is important.

Living in humid Hong Kong, my 6 month old FA 50 had a "smudge" which turned out to be mold.

I duly put it out under the Phuket midday sun and hope I have killed the little buggers.

I have now found a nice electronic dry cabinet (approx 1.5 cu ft) for US$80.

05-16-2010, 02:28 PM	#1
bfo Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: BÃ¦rum, Norway Posts: 101	Storing lenses off body When you store lenses (with an aperture ring) off the camera body, are you supposed to set the aperture to a given position? Or is it of no concern. Typically you wold want to store a spring in a "relaxed" position to keep it from giving in to constant deformation. Is it the same way with lenses?

05-17-2010, 08:04 AM	#11
ducdao Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Montreal/Vermont Posts: 2,160	Originally posted by V10 Is storing your lens with one of those 'do not eat' moisture absorbing packets recommended? Those packets are called "silica gel". Yes, it's recommended to use those as long as you don't overuse them. Too dry is not good for your lenses either. The best way is to have a dry cabinet as it automatically controls the humidity. I read it somewhere that 30-50% of relative humidity level is recommended. Last edited by ducdao; 05-17-2010 at 08:12 AM.

05-18-2010, 12:43 AM	#13
ducdao Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Montreal/Vermont Posts: 2,160	Originally posted by rhodopsin Any of those lenses have oily aperture blades? My M42 S-M-C Takumar 1.8/85 did, for example. Luckily a good cleaning restored it to near-new condition; blades are now dry and snappy. Black lens in direct sunlight (even through a window) or inside closed automobile parked in direct sun can reach temperatures higher than 50-60C. Haha right! My bad! I actually had my SMC-M 28 cleaned up a week ago for oily blades. I have few more Russian lenses that are really prone to oily blades issue. Last edited by ducdao; 05-18-2010 at 12:50 AM.

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05-16-2010, 03:55 PM	#2
hcc Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,002	The most important is to keep your lenses in a dry environment.

05-16-2010, 06:43 PM	#3
PeteyJ Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Chicago/Cleveland Posts: 176	Yeah dry is most important. I don't worry about what my aperture is set to on my lens and I haven't had any problems, but I'll admit that I've only been in the game for a couple of years, so that might not be enough to cause any problems.

05-16-2010, 08:48 PM	#4
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,981	With Pentax, it seems to me that the spring is relaxed when the lens is at minimum aperture (in the A position when dismounted), so I leave my lenses in the A position or minimum aperture (if I remember) in the case of non A lenses. I think it is more important to use them, or at least exercise them periodically than it is to store them in any particular way, other than the dry and clean mentioned above.

05-16-2010, 09:15 PM	#5
rhodopsin Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Deep Forest Posts: 643	As said above dry and clean is important, also where temperature does not rise enough to melt helicoid grease. In A or M position spring is relaxed unless diaphragm pin or lever is actuated, at least on all my lenses...

05-17-2010, 05:15 AM	#6
bdery Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,357	The DA lenses have no aperture ring and the iris closes down when the lens is removed from the body. That should be indicative of what Pentax expects us to do with our lenses

05-17-2010, 06:28 AM	#7
ducdao Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Montreal/Vermont Posts: 2,160	Originally posted by rhodopsin As said above dry and clean is important, also where temperature does not rise enough to melt helicoid grease. In A or M position spring is relaxed unless diaphragm pin or lever is actuated, at least on all my lenses... Most lens manufacturers use white lithium grease for internal lubricant, that type of grease easily supports heat up to 200C so I don't think one needs to worry too much about melting the grease. IMHO, the most important thing is to keep lenses in a dry place and use it when possible.

05-17-2010, 06:43 AM	#8
rhodopsin Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Deep Forest Posts: 643	Originally posted by ducdao Most lens manufacturers use white lithium grease for internal lubricant, that type of grease easily supports heat up to 200C so I don't think one needs to worry too much about melting the grease. IMHO, the most important thing is to keep lenses in a dry place and use it when possible. I would add one word between "manufacturers" and "use"; the word is "now." It is unclear what era lenses OP has...

05-17-2010, 07:28 AM	#9
ducdao Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Montreal/Vermont Posts: 2,160	Originally posted by rhodopsin I would add one word between "manufacturers" and "use"; the word is "now." It is unclear what era lenses OP has... Right Do you know of any lens manufacturers, regardless of era, that used grease that could be melted under 50-60C? I'm interested to know as I have over 250 lenses from diverse eras and brands.

05-17-2010, 07:42 AM	#10
V10 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: B.C., Canada Posts: 116	Is storing your lens with one of those 'do not eat' moisture absorbing packets recommended?

05-17-2010, 08:57 AM	#12
rhodopsin Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Deep Forest Posts: 643	Originally posted by ducdao Right Do you know of any lens manufacturers, regardless of era, that used grease that could be melted under 50-60C? I'm interested to know as I have over 250 lenses from diverse eras and brands. Any of those lenses have oily aperture blades? My M42 S-M-C Takumar 1.8/85 did, for example. Luckily a good cleaning restored it to near-new condition; blades are now dry and snappy. Black lens in direct sunlight (even through a window) or inside closed automobile parked in direct sun can reach temperatures higher than 50-60C.

05-18-2010, 09:15 AM	#14
Unsinkable II Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 1,352	As I've learnt the (almost) hard way. Dry is important. Living in humid Hong Kong, my 6 month old FA 50 had a "smudge" which turned out to be mold. I duly put it out under the Phuket midday sun and hope I have killed the little buggers. I have now found a nice electronic dry cabinet (approx 1.5 cu ft) for US$80.