DCSensui
11-27-2006, 03:58 PM
For those who are packing away equipment for long-term storage, or are concerned with buildup of moisture in closed containers (including underwater camera housings), here's something I use a lot: Drierite.
A pound is about $8 or so, depending on where you buy it from. Here in Hawaii I get it from Hawaii Chemical on King Street near Middle Street. I store photographic equipment in large steel ammo cans and put some of this in there with it. Haven't ever had a problem with mildew on any lenses in two decades. Surplus steel ammo cans are cheap and have sturdy rubber seals which are waterproof.
http://www.drierite.com/default.cfm
Look for the "indicating" Drierite that is blue when it's working and turns pink when it's exhausted. This stuff can be re-activated in an oven by heating it up for an hour at 210° C or 425° F. It's reusable. And because it has its own indicator, you'll know if it's still working with a quick visual inspection.
You'll need to put the Drierite into some sort of container as the bottle itself doesn't work as a dehumidifier. Not unless you take off the top.
I use old translucent Fuji Film containers. A 3/8" hole is punched in the top. #4 mesh Drierite is loaded into the container. I then put a small square of paper towel over the opening and snap the top back on.
The hole I punched in the top will let the moisture get absorbed past the paper towel. The paper towel is there just to keep any dust from the Drierite from escaping out of the film container.
A pound is about $8 or so, depending on where you buy it from. Here in Hawaii I get it from Hawaii Chemical on King Street near Middle Street. I store photographic equipment in large steel ammo cans and put some of this in there with it. Haven't ever had a problem with mildew on any lenses in two decades. Surplus steel ammo cans are cheap and have sturdy rubber seals which are waterproof.
http://www.drierite.com/default.cfm
Look for the "indicating" Drierite that is blue when it's working and turns pink when it's exhausted. This stuff can be re-activated in an oven by heating it up for an hour at 210° C or 425° F. It's reusable. And because it has its own indicator, you'll know if it's still working with a quick visual inspection.
You'll need to put the Drierite into some sort of container as the bottle itself doesn't work as a dehumidifier. Not unless you take off the top.
I use old translucent Fuji Film containers. A 3/8" hole is punched in the top. #4 mesh Drierite is loaded into the container. I then put a small square of paper towel over the opening and snap the top back on.
The hole I punched in the top will let the moisture get absorbed past the paper towel. The paper towel is there just to keep any dust from the Drierite from escaping out of the film container.