where to store unused lenses??

RioRico · 08-19-2011, 08:48 AM

Originally posted by altopiet

When you are working a 12 hour day, 6 days a week, it is not possible to use all the lenses you collect, usually just a few favorites. Once in a while it is nice to take an old friend out of the cupboard again, and as I don't need to sell them at this stage, I'd rather make sure they are stored without risk.

I now have about 220 lenses. (And have sold another 110 to help pay for the keepers.) So many! So I have a lens-of-the-day strategy. Pull one from the pile, use only it for a day or ten, see how it sees. This way, everything is used and appreciated, or relegated to the slag heap. Some lenses make their way into my regular rotation. But none are wasted.

DeadJohn · 08-19-2011, 08:52 AM

Try an airtight food storage container. Anything suitable for long-term storage of rice or flour should work. Add a reusable silica pack to absorb moisture.

Search online for "kitchen airtight storage containers".

altopiet · 08-19-2011, 09:47 AM

Originally posted by RioRico

I now have about 220 lenses. (And have sold another 110 to help pay for the keepers.) So many! So I have a lens-of-the-day strategy. Pull one from the pile, use only it for a day or ten, see how it sees. This way, everything is used and appreciated, or relegated to the slag heap. Some lenses make their way into my regular rotation. But none are wasted.

I'm only up to about 16 lenses now, and although a lens a day might not work with my work hours, a lens a week (usually Sundays) might, so I'll give that a try! I'm just glad I don't have 220, that would be a huge problem for me

RioRico · 08-19-2011, 09:53 AM

Originally posted by altopiet

I'm just glad I don't have 220, that would be a huge problem for me

It's a joy, not a problem! The only problem is deciding, which one now? I've toyed with the idea of running a random-number generator to choose the next lens for me. That could get kinky, eh?

Kaufeetime · 08-19-2011, 10:44 PM

Military ammo cans have an airtight rubber gasket seal.

Cat litter brand called Tidy Cats Crystals.

Place about a ½ cup into a coffee filter fold closed and staple.

Rice or Crackers

abacus07 · 08-20-2011, 01:31 AM

Originally posted by kh1234567890

In Singapore a Peltier effect dry cabinet is the only way to go - a lightbulb in a box will not dry the air reliably.

Small dry cabinets are not that expensive, they work and aren't hard to find in Singapore - eg Red Dot Photo (Singapore) - Products

I've been to the local home improvement store and found them priced for $80-$125 depending on size. I really can't understand why someone would avoid that cost when they are probably talking about $1000+ in lenses. Now that I'm settled into a new (old) house and a new job it's on the shopping list. Otherwise I have the plastic bin with a moisture absorbing tub (possibly silica but it's all in Chinese) currently. But that's not the most convenient (no shelves and the silica tub takes up a lot of room).

Quote:

Would I be correct to assume that if you vacuum pack a lens, thus removing all oxygen, that fungus would not be able to grow?

I would be very hesitant to do this since you would have to be absolutely certain that you removed all of the air from inside the lens (is that even possible?). And what do you do if you're out and you get a get couple of rain drops on your lens? When are you certain that the lens is completely dry? Because your method with no air movement will be a breeding ground for fungus.

altopiet · 08-20-2011, 01:39 AM

Originally posted by abacus07

I would be very hesitant to do this since you would have to be absolutely certain that you removed all of the air from inside the lens (is that even possible?). And what do you do if you're out and you get a get couple of rain drops on your lens? When are you certain that the lens is completely dry? Because your method with no air movement will be a breeding ground for fungus.

I see your point, but I think I am going to test the theory, using one of my fungus infected lenses. I will take before and after photo's to see if there are any change. I am just not sure how long I should leave it, maybe untill the end of the year?

wombat2go · 08-20-2011, 04:27 AM

It has been very humid here in Michigan. I have my lenses in Vanguard cases.
For better or worse, I got some large size (blanket) vacuum bags
Put a bag and the case in front of the air conditioner vents so they dry out and fill with drier air.
Then put the case in and suck out the air, and store in the basement.Same for the spare bodies and computer equipment.

Andrew Lang · 08-20-2011, 09:57 AM

I'll take any lenses you don't use too much and i'll keep them busy

REM · 08-20-2011, 08:35 PM

I put my lenses in a plastic airtight ammo/dry-storage box. I toss in a few silica gel packs and some big bubble-wrap material for cushioning. I then place the box out of the way where it receives normal airflow and the ambient room temperature (i.e. not stuck in a corner of a closet or out in garage).

pamzpix · 08-21-2011, 04:34 AM

Originally posted by RioRico

I now have about 220 lenses. (And have sold another 110 to help pay for the keepers.) So many! So I have a lens-of-the-day strategy. Pull one from the pile, use only it for a day or ten, see how it sees. This way, everything is used and appreciated, or relegated to the slag heap. Some lenses make their way into my regular rotation. But none are wasted.

Photographers! LOL
What kind of carrying case do you use? If your lenses vary, do you have one that accomodates the biggest lens, and it will obviously hold the smaller ones? Or do you have several camera bags? Do you use camera bags? I use an overnight luggage thing with zippered pouches on each side. The middle of the bag holds my camera bodies (I can get one camera and the 100-300 lens attached in there or both bodies w/ 70-200) and the 'lid' has a zippered pouch for extra batteries and SD cards. It's not a professional carrying case, but it works for me and since I'm not a professional I can sleep at night. I know a guy who has gotten into photography and he has a big hard case he hauls around. I also know a professional photographer that uses a big canvas bag. Just wondering what someone with over 200 lenses uses.

**jac** · 08-21-2011, 04:45 AM

At your local hobby store or online, you can buy bulk silica gel normally used for drying fresh flowers. Place a bed of this in a Tupperware-type container, wrap the lens in newspaper, put the lid on and store. Most of these gels will change colour if they get saturated. If this happens, speed it on a baking pan, pop it in the oven for an hour or two and dry it out.

kh1234567890 · 08-21-2011, 05:39 AM

Originally posted by pamzpix

Just wondering what someone with over 200 lenses uses.

Just wondering why would anyone sane collect 200+ lenses and not actually use them to take pictures.

**ramseybuckeye** · 08-21-2011, 07:24 AM

Originally posted by kh1234567890

Just wondering why would anyone sane collect 200+ lenses and not actually use them to take pictures.

Wow, putting it that way really throws most hobby collectors into the insane group, that's a lot of people.

The shame is when that insane lens collector has the lens you covet gathering dust.

GerryL · 08-21-2011, 07:45 AM

Originally posted by altopiet

Would I be correct to assume that if you vacuum pack a lens, thus removing all oxygen, that fungus would not be able to grow?

Removing air may only prevent those that live aerobically but there might also be those that are anaerobic (those that live in the absence of air), I'm not really sure but the factor that seems to be common for them to live is the humidity or presence of water or moisture.
It would be more of remove the H20 and that would prevent the fungus to grow that is why most dry cabinets have a hygrometer to monitor the moisture in the air.
There are portable hygrometers sold at Walmart or even at Ebay.
There should be plenty of materials on the internet for what relative humidity to maintain to prevent fungus growth and that is what you just need to achieve with the hygrometer.
It is also best that dry cabinets (with clear windows or transparent) are exposed to daylight since UV (correct me if I'm wrong) is detrimental to the fungus' growth..so actually exposing contaminated lens to the sun for long periods of time kills them.

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08-19-2011, 08:48 AM	#16
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	Originally posted by altopiet When you are working a 12 hour day, 6 days a week, it is not possible to use all the lenses you collect, usually just a few favorites. Once in a while it is nice to take an old friend out of the cupboard again, and as I don't need to sell them at this stage, I'd rather make sure they are stored without risk. I now have about 220 lenses. (And have sold another 110 to help pay for the keepers.) So many! So I have a lens-of-the-day strategy. Pull one from the pile, use only it for a day or ten, see how it sees. This way, everything is used and appreciated, or relegated to the slag heap. Some lenses make their way into my regular rotation. But none are wasted.

08-19-2011, 08:52 AM	#17
DeadJohn Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: New York Posts: 4,834	Try an airtight food storage container. Anything suitable for long-term storage of rice or flour should work. Add a reusable silica pack to absorb moisture. Search online for "kitchen airtight storage containers".

08-19-2011, 09:47 AM	#18
altopiet Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: The Gem of the Karoo, South Africa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,307	Originally posted by RioRico I now have about 220 lenses. (And have sold another 110 to help pay for the keepers.) So many! So I have a lens-of-the-day strategy. Pull one from the pile, use only it for a day or ten, see how it sees. This way, everything is used and appreciated, or relegated to the slag heap. Some lenses make their way into my regular rotation. But none are wasted. I'm only up to about 16 lenses now, and although a lens a day might not work with my work hours, a lens a week (usually Sundays) might, so I'll give that a try! I'm just glad I don't have 220, that would be a huge problem for me

08-19-2011, 09:53 AM	#19
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	Originally posted by altopiet I'm just glad I don't have 220, that would be a huge problem for me It's a joy, not a problem! The only problem is deciding, which one now? I've toyed with the idea of running a random-number generator to choose the next lens for me. That could get kinky, eh?

08-19-2011, 10:44 PM	#20
Kaufeetime Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Kansas City,Mo. Photos: Albums Posts: 206	Military ammo cans have an airtight rubber gasket seal. Cat litter brand called Tidy Cats Crystals. Place about a ½ cup into a coffee filter fold closed and staple. Rice or Crackers

08-20-2011, 01:31 AM	#21
abacus07 Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Taiwan Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,075	Originally posted by kh1234567890 In Singapore a Peltier effect dry cabinet is the only way to go - a lightbulb in a box will not dry the air reliably. Small dry cabinets are not that expensive, they work and aren't hard to find in Singapore - eg Red Dot Photo (Singapore) - Products I've been to the local home improvement store and found them priced for $80-$125 depending on size. I really can't understand why someone would avoid that cost when they are probably talking about $1000+ in lenses. Now that I'm settled into a new (old) house and a new job it's on the shopping list. Otherwise I have the plastic bin with a moisture absorbing tub (possibly silica but it's all in Chinese) currently. But that's not the most convenient (no shelves and the silica tub takes up a lot of room). Quote: Would I be correct to assume that if you vacuum pack a lens, thus removing all oxygen, that fungus would not be able to grow? I would be very hesitant to do this since you would have to be absolutely certain that you removed all of the air from inside the lens (is that even possible?). And what do you do if you're out and you get a get couple of rain drops on your lens? When are you certain that the lens is completely dry? Because your method with no air movement will be a breeding ground for fungus.

08-20-2011, 01:39 AM	#22
altopiet Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: The Gem of the Karoo, South Africa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,307	Originally posted by abacus07 I would be very hesitant to do this since you would have to be absolutely certain that you removed all of the air from inside the lens (is that even possible?). And what do you do if you're out and you get a get couple of rain drops on your lens? When are you certain that the lens is completely dry? Because your method with no air movement will be a breeding ground for fungus. I see your point, but I think I am going to test the theory, using one of my fungus infected lenses. I will take before and after photo's to see if there are any change. I am just not sure how long I should leave it, maybe untill the end of the year?

08-20-2011, 04:27 AM	#23
wombat2go Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Michigan Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,207	It has been very humid here in Michigan. I have my lenses in Vanguard cases. For better or worse, I got some large size (blanket) vacuum bags Put a bag and the case in front of the air conditioner vents so they dry out and fill with drier air. Then put the case in and suck out the air, and store in the basement.Same for the spare bodies and computer equipment.

08-20-2011, 09:57 AM	#24
Andrew Lang Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Thunder Bay Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 184	I'll take any lenses you don't use too much and i'll keep them busy

08-20-2011, 08:35 PM	#25
REM Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 78	I put my lenses in a plastic airtight ammo/dry-storage box. I toss in a few silica gel packs and some big bubble-wrap material for cushioning. I then place the box out of the way where it receives normal airflow and the ambient room temperature (i.e. not stuck in a corner of a closet or out in garage).

08-21-2011, 04:34 AM	#26
pamzpix Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Nebraska Photos: Albums Posts: 32	Originally posted by RioRico I now have about 220 lenses. (And have sold another 110 to help pay for the keepers.) So many! So I have a lens-of-the-day strategy. Pull one from the pile, use only it for a day or ten, see how it sees. This way, everything is used and appreciated, or relegated to the slag heap. Some lenses make their way into my regular rotation. But none are wasted. Photographers! LOL What kind of carrying case do you use? If your lenses vary, do you have one that accomodates the biggest lens, and it will obviously hold the smaller ones? Or do you have several camera bags? Do you use camera bags? I use an overnight luggage thing with zippered pouches on each side. The middle of the bag holds my camera bodies (I can get one camera and the 100-300 lens attached in there or both bodies w/ 70-200) and the 'lid' has a zippered pouch for extra batteries and SD cards. It's not a professional carrying case, but it works for me and since I'm not a professional I can sleep at night. I know a guy who has gotten into photography and he has a big hard case he hauls around. I also know a professional photographer that uses a big canvas bag. Just wondering what someone with over 200 lenses uses.

08-21-2011, 04:45 AM	#27
jac Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Clyde River, Nunavut, Canada Posts: 2,364	At your local hobby store or online, you can buy bulk silica gel normally used for drying fresh flowers. Place a bed of this in a Tupperware-type container, wrap the lens in newspaper, put the lid on and store. Most of these gels will change colour if they get saturated. If this happens, speed it on a baking pan, pop it in the oven for an hour or two and dry it out.

08-21-2011, 05:39 AM	#28
kh1234567890 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Manchester, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,653	Originally posted by pamzpix Just wondering what someone with over 200 lenses uses. Just wondering why would anyone sane collect 200+ lenses and not actually use them to take pictures.

08-21-2011, 07:24 AM	#29
ramseybuckeye Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hampstead, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 17,295	Originally posted by kh1234567890 Just wondering why would anyone sane collect 200+ lenses and not actually use them to take pictures. Wow, putting it that way really throws most hobby collectors into the insane group, that's a lot of people. The shame is when that insane lens collector has the lens you covet gathering dust.

08-21-2011, 07:45 AM	#30
GerryL Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: CA Posts: 2,731	Originally posted by altopiet Would I be correct to assume that if you vacuum pack a lens, thus removing all oxygen, that fungus would not be able to grow? Removing air may only prevent those that live aerobically but there might also be those that are anaerobic (those that live in the absence of air), I'm not really sure but the factor that seems to be common for them to live is the humidity or presence of water or moisture. It would be more of remove the H20 and that would prevent the fungus to grow that is why most dry cabinets have a hygrometer to monitor the moisture in the air. There are portable hygrometers sold at Walmart or even at Ebay. There should be plenty of materials on the internet for what relative humidity to maintain to prevent fungus growth and that is what you just need to achieve with the hygrometer. It is also best that dry cabinets (with clear windows or transparent) are exposed to daylight since UV (correct me if I'm wrong) is detrimental to the fungus' growth..so actually exposing contaminated lens to the sun for long periods of time kills them.