How to maintain dslr when travelling overseas for 6 months

[vicissitudes]

I will be going on student exchange in an european country in Februrary. However, I will not be intending to bring a drybox over due to the bulk. As such, what methods are advisable to keep my dslr dry and mould-free? (considering the end-winter to spring conditions that I will be experiencing during my stay there.) I had considered improvising with silica gel but I just would like to get some opinions.

Thanks.

 

[esoeij]

Which European country? Generally, the humidity in europe is usually not very high compared to tropical climates like ours, even in spring.

 

[rhino123]

Well... bring a bottle of sensor cleaning chemical and a box of Swab with you... some anti-static cloths, a rocket blower, cotton buds and some (or alot of) ziplock bag... big and small one.

Get some old socks with you, and a bottle of silica gel. When you get there, put the silica gel into your old socks, tie up one end and threw these into a box, or big ziplock bag. Then put your camera in the box or ziplock bag when not in use.

When the silica gel turned pink, throw them away and buy new bottles of silica gel from the country.

 

[sjackal]

Mould usually grow when the air is stagnant and when it doesn't see light for a long time.

If you are traveling it will not be a problem because you will be using it which expose it to fresh air and light.

Its not just humidity that coz moulds.

 

[SamTac]

Well... bring a bottle of sensor cleaning chemical and a box of Swab with you... some anti-static cloths, a rocket blower, cotton buds and some (or alot of) ziplock bag... big and small one.

Get some old socks with you, and a bottle of silica gel. When you get there, put the silica gel into your old socks, tie up one end and threw these into a box, or big ziplock bag. Then put your camera in the box or ziplock bag when not in use.

When the silica gel turned pink, throw them away and buy new bottles of silica gel from the country.

Is it necessary for the above while traveling ?

 

[rhino123]

Is it necessary for the above while traveling ?

Well... when overseas for a long time, I like to do what I have mentioned. Might not be necessary for others, but I am those kiasu type. Better be sure than sorry.

 

[Csboi]

Well... when overseas for a long time, I like to do what I have mentioned. Might not be necessary for others, but I am those kiasu type. Better be sure than sorry.

Totally agree, better be safe than to see fungus on your sensor.

 

[Csboi]

If I am not wrong, Challenger sells one bottle of silica gel for less than $8. Just get a few bottles in case. Then "bake" the silica gels when they turn pink, if you have the extra cash, just dispose them and get new ones.

 

[pinholecam]

Use the camera regularly and that helps.
You can just get a water tight tupperware container, throw in some silica gel and if should be fine for storage.
Temperate climates are usually not as humid as in tropical ones (like S'pore)

 

[Smiles88]

but in Europe, the weather is a lot less humid than Singapore. My friend's brother actually placed his cornflakes in the open without tying up, with them losing their crispiness (Lao hong).

If you're using it often, I don't think you need to bring so many things over. If so much trouble, I think I would rather bring a drybox alrdy

 

[Rashkae]

Humidity in europe is low. Plus, if you take your camera out with you, no problem.

Mold is generally not such a problem in europe, your camera will be fine "as is". That's why european photogs don't need to buy dry cabinets, etc.

 

[edutilos-]

I will be going on student exchange in an european country in Februrary. However, I will not be intending to bring a drybox over due to the bulk. As such, what methods are advisable to keep my dslr dry and mould-free? (considering the end-winter to spring conditions that I will be experiencing during my stay there.) I had considered improvising with silica gel but I just would like to get some opinions.

Thanks.

No dry box in London for 3 years.

No problems. Cheers.

 

[Octarine]

but in Europe, the weather is a lot less humid than Singapore. My friend's brother actually placed his cornflakes in the open without tying up, with them losing their crispiness (Lao hong).

Putting the cam into cornflakes would be a perfect bio dry box .. but the sugar might make the cam a bit sticky maybe

 

[Octarine]

I will be going on student exchange in an european country in Februrary. However, I will not be intending to bring a drybox over due to the bulk. As such, what methods are advisable to keep my dslr dry and mould-free? (considering the end-winter to spring conditions that I will be experiencing during my stay there.) I had considered improvising with silica gel but I just would like to get some opinions.

No need to bring anything like that, save the weight and the volume in your luggage. For a start, you could check the average weather conditions of your target countries and see what humidity levels are prevailing. I suspect you'll check for the weather anyway also to know which clothing to bring, right? So if the average humidity is about 50% then there is no need for additional measurements even for storage. Bring out the camera and stop worrying.

 

[esoeij]

Putting the cam into cornflakes would be a perfect bio dry box .. but the sugar might make the cam a bit sticky maybe

Usually when visiting or living in temperate places the concern is about dryness (especially those with sensitive skin) and not dampness. Biscuits and stuff almost never need to put in airtight container and will never 'lao hong'. In fact there was one occasion when I did not tie up my bread loaf plastic bag properly and the bread became stiff because the moisture got sucked out.

 

[gundamseed84]

If I am not wrong, Challenger sells one bottle of silica gel for less than $8. Just get a few bottles in case. Then "bake" the silica gels when they turn pink, if you have the extra cash, just dispose them and get new ones.

I bought mine for $3.90 at those photo printing shops.

 

[digitalpimp]

I bought mine for $3.90 at those photo printing shops.

When did you last buy? It's now $5 in Sengkang. Used to be $3.90 just a couple of months ago.

 

[edutilos-]

If I am not wrong, Challenger sells one bottle of silica gel for less than $8. Just get a few bottles in case. Then "bake" the silica gels when they turn pink, if you have the extra cash, just dispose them and get new ones.

Something to take note of.

Silica gel - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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

Cheers.

 

[TWmilkteaTW]

Since u are bringing the camera with you.. just use it once in awhile and it will be ok. Nothing to worry about.

 

[Blur Shadow]

I won't worry about that. Your dSLR will survive. But if it worries you, an airtight container and some silica gel or dehumidifier will do the trick.