Using Lock&Lock as DryCabinet?!

[wallacetham]

I heard that we actually can use air tight Lock&Lock container as cheaper alternative for the dry cabinet.. Did anyone use it before or using it now? Any comment about this? As good as the dry cabinet?

Again, normally a standard dry cabinet will cost you how much? Any recommended brand?

Thanks for sharing..;p;p

 

[+evenstar]

you spend thousands on a camera set and you're stingy to spend hundreds to get a dry cabinet?

you're no different from people who can afford big BMW/Mercs and don't want to spent few cents for parking

 

[wallacetham]

you spend thousands on a camera set and you're stingy to spend hundreds to get a dry cabinet?

you're no different from people who can afford big BMW/Mercs and don't want to spent few cents for parking

but Lock&Lock container is portable, useful especially you go on travel/overseas for few weeks, agree?

 

[calebk]

but Lock&Lock container is portable, useful especially you go on travel/overseas for few weeks, agree?

When you travel you don't need to bring a dry cabinet with you.

 

[kiddzz]

i was thinking of using them too with silica gels.

 

[calebk]

i was thinking of using them too with silica gels.

Consider this. Every time you open your tupperware and retrieve your gear, the silica gel is already being used. Think of the replenishment you will have to make. Then think of whether you are sure that the gel is maintaining the correct RH% value at all times. Then think of whether you can be assured that the tupperware set up will definitely keep your gear fungus free for the entire duration that you are using it.

If you can answer all questions with a resounding yes, then go ahead. Me? I'd rather spend a bit over $100 for a peace of mind. At least I know its maintaining a RH% value of 42% all the time and my gear is fungal free.

 

[spheredome]

Loose silica gel will scratch the camera when pack in mobile box. Use thirsty hippo packet form is better.

i was thinking of using them too with silica gels.

 

[BlackWhite]

it's not good enough honestly .. a dry cabinet is not that expensive .. cost less than a lens ($200+ 60L)
and probably your best investment

 

[chynthynk]

Consider this. Every time you open your tupperware and retrieve your gear, the silica gel is already being used. Think of the replenishment you will have to make. Then think of whether you are sure that the gel is maintaining the correct RH% value at all times. Then think of whether you can be assured that the tupperware set up will definitely keep your gear fungus free for the entire duration that you are using it.

If you can answer all questions with a resounding yes, then go ahead. Me? I'd rather spend a bit over $100 for a peace of mind. At least I know its maintaining a RH% value of 42% all the time and my gear is fungal free.

Couldn't agree more. The keyword in this explanation is _controlled RH_
You probably can get a low RH in dry box with silica gel, but it's hard to control them - one situation that might also happen is, it became too dry to spoilt your gear (unless you want to put RH meter/whatever it is called in the dry box, plus silica gel, and keep an eye on it 24x7).:sweat:
Let dry cabinet do this job, we can do any other else.

My 2 cents.

 

[geraldkhoo]

I heard that we actually can use air tight Lock&Lock container as cheaper alternative for the dry cabinet.. Did anyone use it before or using it now? Any comment about this? As good as the dry cabinet?

Again, normally a standard dry cabinet will cost you how much? Any recommended brand?

Thanks for sharing..;p;p

I used Lock and Lock for a long time, until 1.5 years ago when I got a dry cabinet. It was a really budget setup, and I got the wireless dehumidifier from Home Fix-It store which I found useful. Before that, I used to use loose silica gel, and then fry them when it turned pink.

All in all, if you can monitor the humidity inside the box, it would work, but if you have enough money, having a dry cabinet is the way to go

 

[Octarine]

Loose silica gel will scratch the camera when pack in mobile box. Use thirsty hippo packet form is better.

Silica gel also comes in small bags, it won't scratch anything. If you thirsty hippo leaks you'll have lots of "fun". Beside this: the keyword of "controlling RH" is left out.

 

[Ouverture]

Actually what the TS asking makes sense.

Not everyone is pro with many gears. Some people may just only have the cam body and 1-2 lenses which makes the dry cabinet a overkill, even the smallest size.

So if on a budget and as a consumer, putting cam and lenses in these lock&lock containers with those "re-useable" silica gels from Home-fix is good enough.

Esp where the place you keep the stuff are not very humid, like a dry clean place, then it should be sufficient.

I was actually thinking, before DSLR, we have been using pns for years without dry cabinet also still no fungus. And those camera shops, their cameras are being taken out for testing, etc and still they are also not stocked in dry facilities....so....what's the issue actually...unless you keep your gears in the toilet....

 

[calebk]

Actually what the TS asking makes sense.

Not everyone is pro with many gears. Some people may just only have the cam body and 1-2 lenses which makes the dry cabinet a overkill, even the smallest size.

As I've said, there's no such thing as "overkill" when you want to have a peace of mind that your equipment will be fungal free. You can't guarantee a regulated and controlled RH% of 45-55% with silica gel with a tupperware. Let's face it.

Esp where the place you keep the stuff are not very humid, like a dry clean place, then it should be sufficient.

Aren't we all living on this wonderful humid country called Singapore? Unless your room is air conditioned 24/7.

I was actually thinking, before DSLR, we have been using pns for years without dry cabinet also still no fungus. And those camera shops, their cameras are being taken out for testing, etc and still they are also not stocked in dry facilities....so....what's the issue actually...unless you keep your gears in the toilet....

P&S cameras are less susceptible to fungal growth because of smaller lens area, and the fact that their optics are less able and likely to be exposed to the elements. Furthermore, we tend to bring out and use P&S cameras more, so they are more open to climate change.

With regards to shops, they are usually air conditioned, and 24/7.

 

[redmonsoon]

>($200+ 60L)
A 30L cost 1/2 that and it can already hold lots of stuff, just get 1.

 

[calebk]

>($200+ 60L)
A 30L cost 1/2 that and it can already hold lots of stuff, just get 1.

Getting one is probably cheaper than the price you'd have to pay to clean fungus off a lens that is out of warranty.

 

[thedaniel]

I used Lock and Lock for by D700 and my lens. I got those silica gels with small containers sold at Cathay Photos and place it in the Locl&Lock container. And I get the large quantity of silica gels sold in big container for a few dallars and replace those pink silica gels from those small containers. I never recycle them.

I bought a Hydrometer from the DIY shop and place it inside the Lock and Lock Container and monitor the Humility. Once the RH reaching 60, I will replace the Silica gels. The silica gels will normally need replacement after opening and closing for more than 10 times.

I do not have space to get a Dry Cab so this is my best option.

 

[kopiaddict]

hi wallacetham

i'm actually a user of an airtight tupperware with silica gel. to prevent silica gel from scratching your equipment, put into a sock. however, being a user of silica gel, i have experience many inconveniences. i didn't want to get a dry cabinet because i had only wanted to keep a body with a kit lens, so a dry cab was unnecessary. however i soon realised my silica gel turned purplish pink just 2 days after i placed it into the tupperware

each time you open the tupperware to retreive your gear, the humidity rushes in and your silica gel becomes pink quickly. you either heat up your silica gel to reuse them, or spend lots of money buying new silica gel. however, after much reading, blue silica gel is harmful when heated because of a substance which is carcinogenic (cancer causing agent). i'm sure you wouldnt want that to happen to you or your family members. i heard there are orange silica gels which arent carcinogenic but are not available in singapore

i have just purchased a digicab 30L dry cabinet and have expanded to 3 lenses, 1 flash and 1 body. =)

 

[Colin Quek]

Hi all, cant help but need to send a quick reply to this.

If you are thinking to heat your Pink silica gel to restore it to Blue... PLEASE REFRAIN -= REFRAIN=-

Read this:
"...Some of the beads may be doped with a moisture indicator, such as cobalt(II) chloride, which is toxic and may be <b>carcinogenic</b>. Cobalt (II) chloride is deep blue when dry (anhydrous) and pink when moist (hydrated)."

source: - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silica_gel

carcinogenic - CANCER Causing

Where are u heating your gels? Do you know that the gels can break down into dust due to wear and tear?

This info is common.

To be honest, go calc the amount of electricity a dry cab uses per month, trust me you are better off using a dry cab

 

[tirimasu]

you spend thousands on a camera set and you're stingy to spend hundreds to get a dry cabinet?

you're no different from people who can afford big BMW/Mercs and don't want to spent few cents for parking

I so agree on this....

 

[tirimasu]

When you travel you don't need to bring a dry cabinet with you.

I so agree with calebk..

U mean u never travel with ur SLR before? U dont know that u dont need to bring a dry cabinet with u when travelling? If we need to bring dry cabinet whenever we go travelling, I believe we will see many dry cabinet in the airport.. LOL!!!