Newbie got a question to ask


Crossfaith

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Apr 8, 2010
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Hi to all, I'm a new to clupsnap and also photography, currently using D3000.. I currently keeping my dslr in dry box w/o any silica gel for nearly 2 wks cause my silica gel turned pink.. The hydro meter reading was 70% for the past few days.. Only took out yesterday for a few shots.. Wonder if my lens/ camera will start growing fungus or should I say how long will fungus start to grow? N how do I check for fungus?
 

IF you mean those non-electrical type of dry box...... my advise is that its better to just leave your camera in open space...... keeping it in a sealed box without humidity control is asking for fungus
 

IF you mean those non-electrical type of dry box...... my advise is that its better to just leave your camera in open space...... keeping it in a sealed box without humidity control is asking for fungus
Ya, I'm using this dry box.. http://www.digihub.com.sg/SubCategoryList.aspx?MainCategoryID=15 I will be getting thirsty hippo sachet later to put in the dry box.. But quite worried if fungus starting to grow already.. Usually how long will fungus start to grow for my situation? Saw an article elsewhere, the guy mentioned that tests have demonstrated that almost any lens will begin to grow fungus within weeks (5 days in one instance!) of exposure to damp, dark, warm conditions.
 

Ya, I'm using this dry box.. http://www.digihub.com.sg/SubCategoryList.aspx?MainCategoryID=15 I will be getting thirsty hippo sachet later to put in the dry box.. But quite worried if fungus starting to grow already.. Usually how long will fungus start to grow for my situation? Saw an article elsewhere, the guy mentioned that tests have demonstrated that almost any lens will begin to grow fungus within weeks (5 days in one instance!) of exposure to damp, dark, warm conditions.

If you willing to set aside $100, you can get a dry cabinet for less hassle and more peace of mind.
 

It only cost a few dollars to replace the silica gel; what are you waiting for?
 

Don't worry too much, just either recycle your old silica gels or buy some new ones and put them in. And it is a bad idea using thirsty hippo inside the dry box. For the long run, it is better to consider buying an electric dry cabinet. To check for fungus, just detach your lens from the body, lift it up to a light source and open up the aperture to the widest, and look at the lens elements.
 

If you willing to set aside $100, you can get a dry cabinet for less hassle and more peace of mind.

hmm still saving up for dry cabi..=D

It only cost a few dollars to replace the silica gel; what are you waiting for?

MS got no stock..

Don't worry too much, just either recycle your old silica gels or buy some new ones and put them in. And it is a bad idea using thirsty hippo inside the dry box. For the long run, it is better to consider buying an electric dry cabinet. To check for fungus, just detach your lens from the body, lift it up to a light source and open up the aperture to the widest, and look at the lens elements.

Ic.. how come it's a bad idea using thirsty hippo inside the dry box? I'm tinking to put the thristy hippo sachet 1st until I buy the silica gel.. Isit ok?? Oh kk, will take a look when I reach home.. how abt fungus on camera or sensor?? I will usually detach the lens from the body when I keep them in the drybox.. will fungus still grow on camera sensor or the parts?
 

FUNGUS can grow anywhere, on your camera's body, sensor, lenses and even on your body should the environment be in the ideal range and conditions. :)
 

I will usually detach the lens from the body when I keep them in the drybox.. will fungus still grow on camera sensor or the parts?

why do you need to detach the lens from the camera? u can just keep them together.

detaching the lens unnecessarily is just going to increase the risk of getting dust on your sensor, and did you put on the camera body cap and both lens caps when you store your gears?

anyway in long run, it is still better to get a dry cabinet for a peace of mind, and also for a better control of humidity, and some (or most?) of the dry cabinet come with 5 years warranty.

for thirsty hippo, beware that it may make the dry box too dry, which can also cause problem to rubber parts of the camera and lens.
 

FUNGUS can grow anywhere, on your camera's body, sensor, lenses and even on your body should the environment be in the ideal range and conditions. :)

Ic.. But how do we check if there's fungus on the camera's sensor/ high pass filter or any other parts inside the camera? do I have to take photos to determine?

why do you need to detach the lens from the camera? u can just keep them together.

detaching the lens unnecessarily is just going to increase the risk of getting dust on your sensor, and did you put on the camera body cap and both lens caps when you store your gears?

anyway in long run, it is still better to get a dry cabinet for a peace of mind, and also for a better control of humidity, and some (or most?) of the dry cabinet come with 5 years warranty.

for thirsty hippo, beware that it may make the dry box too dry, which can also cause problem to rubber parts of the camera and lens.

I tot that will be the normal practice for storing both camera & lens..:bsmilie: So the usual practice for storing can just keep them together? Ya I did put on the cap for both camera body & lens when storing.. Still saving up for a dry cabinet..:) I bought thirsty hippo already, now my RH dropped from 80% to 30%.. But still worried of the fungus issue for the past 2 weeks high RH..
 

Welcome to CS :)
Keep using your camera instead of keeping it ;)
 

Ic.. But how do we check if there's fungus on the camera's sensor/ high pass filter or any other parts inside the camera? do I have to take photos to determine?

I tot that will be the normal practice for storing both camera & lens..:bsmilie: So the usual practice for storing can just keep them together? Ya I did put on the cap for both camera body & lens when storing.. Still saving up for a dry cabinet..:) I bought thirsty hippo already, now my RH dropped from 80% to 30%.. But still worried of the fungus issue for the past 2 weeks high RH..

aiyo.... dun worry too much about that, i stored my camera in the camera bag for 4 months before i bought dry cabinet. and everything is still ok now. :embrass::embrass:

like what ziploc said in previous reply, detach the lens, open the aperture and look thru the lens elements against a light source, and see if there's fungus, u may see a few unavoidable dust, which wont really affect your image.

as long as u use your camera frequently, say at least once every week or so, dun really need to worry that much. :)
 

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Welcome to CS !
Juz get a dry cabinet to save yourself all the hassle & worrying
 

Welcome to CS
Keep using your camera instead of keeping it ;)
Welcome to CS !
Juz get a dry cabinet to save yourself all the hassle & worrying

Thanks.. will try to use it more often.. :D

aiyo.... dun worry too much about that, i stored my camera in the camera bag for 4 months before i bought dry cabinet. and everything is still ok now. :embrass::embrass:

like what ziploc said in previous reply, detach the lens, open the aperture and look thru the lens elements against a light source, and see if there's fungus, u may see a few unavoidable dust, which wont really affect your image.

as long as u use your camera frequently, say at least once every week or so, dun really need to worry that much. :)

Wow ok.. After hearing what you said, I think I don't need to worry already.. Btw, yesterday I cleaned my lens with the cleaning kit solution + cotton bud(stick form).. How come the lens still has the fine circular mark even after I clean it with the camera tissue?? Is it normal or I used too much pressure when cleaning that cause the "scratches"
 

Thanks.. will try to use it more often.. :D



Wow ok.. After hearing what you said, I think I don't need to worry already.. Btw, yesterday I cleaned my lens with the cleaning kit solution + cotton bud(stick form).. How come the lens still has the fine circular mark even after I clean it with the camera tissue?? Is it normal or I used too much pressure when cleaning that cause the "scratches"

Before you have been frightened by our friends here, there are few tips good for you to know.

(1) Putting you camera outside of a dry box for up to a month is still ok. No fungus will grow. To let the fungus grow, there must not be any air movement. e.g. in a dry box with no silica gel.

(2) Use a 3M lint free cloth to clean your lens. Also dont press too hard as you might scratch off the coating.

(3) Buy a UV filter or ND filter to protect your lens from future scratches.

(4) No need to buy thirsty hippo. Any silica gel will do. If it turns pink, put them on a glass bowl and then in a microwave oven for a recharge at high power for one minute. Then reuse.

(5) In the long term, save to buy a dry cabinet.

Go out and enjoy more shooting.
 

Wow ok.. After hearing what you said, I think I don't need to worry already.. Btw, yesterday I cleaned my lens with the cleaning kit solution + cotton bud(stick form).. How come the lens still has the fine circular mark even after I clean it with the camera tissue?? Is it normal or I used too much pressure when cleaning that cause the "scratches"

It is better to clean the lens with a microfibre cloth as it can lift oil stains with ease. Only use lens cleaning solution if the stains are very hard to remove. The residue marks can be removed with the microfibre cloth.