Relative Humility

kiwitan · 20th December 2002

What is the right humidity to maintain in dry cabinet for keeping camera equipment, given environment in Singapore ?

45-55% is what CS people said. But the uncle at Ruby from whom I bought a digital hygrometer said it should be around 30%.

denizenx · 20th December 2002

u mean humiDity huh?
humility cannot be kept dry, it is not wit, it must flow from within...

30% might be too dry, wait ur rubber grip start flaking...

StreetShooter · 20th December 2002

None of my relatives have any humility...

denizenx · 20th December 2002

Quote:

Originally posted by StreetShooter
None of my relatives have any humility...

WE KNOW!

chucks · 20th December 2002

Quote:

Originally posted by StreetShooter
None of my relatives have any humility...

Lol!

mervin420 · 28th December 2002

Quote:

Originally posted by StreetShooter
None of my relatives have any humility...

duhz ....

chris_k · 1st January 2003

Um.. if its not too late.

Relative Humidity totally depends on the items that you're planning to keep in it. First rule is that for Photographic Optical items, fungus only grows when humidity is above 60%. 1st Rule of thumb.

For Leaf-Shutter lenses, like Mamiya RB/RZ, Newer Bronica and Carl Zeiss (Hasselblad), the ideal range 48%-50%. The type of grease used lubricates leaf shutters and cakes up if any lower than 48%. (380 CGi's).

For Metal Based lenses (construction), you should try to set it slightly below 50%. Metal oxidising is slowed when humidity is below 50%. (Perfect for Canon L lenses, Nikkors, Carl Zeiss, etc.. whose bodies are made primarily of Metals and Alloys). All focal plane shutters, so drying only occurs when less then 30%. No worries.

For generic photographic items, a setting of 45%-55% is suitable. Best suited for camera bodies and items without excessive lubricants. This range is ideal as it does not excessively dry up rubber (eyecups, foam lining) and leathers, etc.

Digital cameras however, require a lower temp. and humidity environment due to its CCD/CMOS chips. Digi cams normally don't use standard "OXYGEN GREASE" in their built-in lenses, is its totally fine as well. On the flip side, too dry and the static build up with damage the CCD/CMOS much quicker. Compact Flash and Microdrive suffer that same fate. Ideal setting is 38% onwards. (Note: For open-surface chips on digital backs, (PhaseOne, Leaf XY, Valeo, Megavision, you'll need to store is slightly @ higher humidity (42%). Larger chips more prone to static distortion.

If in doubt, you can check with the original manufacturers about the lubricants and greases used in their product. Remember that all of them have different evaporation/drying rates. Do separate the different items based on the dryness of your damproof cabinets. Have different cabinets for specifc equipment.

Hope that helps. Happy New Year!

20th December 2002	#1
kiwitan Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: $ingapore Posts: 2,522	Relative Humidity What is the right humidity to maintain in dry cabinet for keeping camera equipment, given environment in Singapore ? 45-55% is what CS people said. But the uncle at Ruby from whom I bought a digital hygrometer said it should be around 30%. Last edited by kiwitan; 20th December 2002 at 03:23 PM.

20th December 2002	#2
denizenx Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: L2TPYSG Posts: 4,514	u mean humiDity huh? humility cannot be kept dry, it is not wit, it must flow from within... 30% might be too dry, wait ur rubber grip start flaking... __________________ "I'm... dreaming... of a wide... angle~ Just like the ones I used to know~"

1st January 2003	#7
chris_k Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Singapore / Los Angeles Posts: 222	Relative Humidity Um.. if its not too late. Relative Humidity totally depends on the items that you're planning to keep in it. First rule is that for Photographic Optical items, fungus only grows when humidity is above 60%. 1st Rule of thumb. For Leaf-Shutter lenses, like Mamiya RB/RZ, Newer Bronica and Carl Zeiss (Hasselblad), the ideal range 48%-50%. The type of grease used lubricates leaf shutters and cakes up if any lower than 48%. (380 CGi's). For Metal Based lenses (construction), you should try to set it slightly below 50%. Metal oxidising is slowed when humidity is below 50%. (Perfect for Canon L lenses, Nikkors, Carl Zeiss, etc.. whose bodies are made primarily of Metals and Alloys). All focal plane shutters, so drying only occurs when less then 30%. No worries. For generic photographic items, a setting of 45%-55% is suitable. Best suited for camera bodies and items without excessive lubricants. This range is ideal as it does not excessively dry up rubber (eyecups, foam lining) and leathers, etc. Digital cameras however, require a lower temp. and humidity environment due to its CCD/CMOS chips. Digi cams normally don't use standard "OXYGEN GREASE" in their built-in lenses, is its totally fine as well. On the flip side, too dry and the static build up with damage the CCD/CMOS much quicker. Compact Flash and Microdrive suffer that same fate. Ideal setting is 38% onwards. (Note: For open-surface chips on digital backs, (PhaseOne, Leaf XY, Valeo, Megavision, you'll need to store is slightly @ higher humidity (42%). Larger chips more prone to static distortion. If in doubt, you can check with the original manufacturers about the lubricants and greases used in their product. Remember that all of them have different evaporation/drying rates. Do separate the different items based on the dryness of your damproof cabinets. Have different cabinets for specifc equipment. Hope that helps. Happy New Year! Last edited by chris_k; 1st January 2003 at 05:15 PM.

20th December 2002	#3
StreetShooter Moderator Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Katong Posts: 4,702	None of my relatives have any humility...