Mirrorless/four-third Which - a dry box or dry cabinet, I use camera almost everyday?
- Thread starter kokok
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hi, i will advice you the same thing as Ricohflex. Let me explain why:
1. Like you, i baulked at electricity and used a tupperware + thirsty hippo/silicon beads setup. I was naive then. Having to periodically change/'recharge' the silicon beads can be frustrating. You will sooner or later spend more than buyer a proper cabinet , trust me.
2. How much to put it: Get a good hydrometer and use it to measure the %RH as a guide. The tupperware size decides this.
3. After 1 yr of tupperware usage, one of my lenses kena fungus. It was a case of I did all reasonable steps - clear the lens after use, dry properly and keep in tupperware with proper change of silicon beads. Paying to clean that lens erased all cost savings I could ever hope to get.
4. Switched to a good dry cabinet with recommendations from the seniors here, and now i'm never happier. Go count the electricity usage + cost of cabinet and you will know that u will save in the long run - financially or peace of mind.
I use MFT and i swop between my cameras everyday too Thing is bro, u ain't gonna be bringing out all your lenses everyday too so there will be equipment in long term storage.
1. Like you, i baulked at electricity and used a tupperware + thirsty hippo/silicon beads setup. I was naive then. Having to periodically change/'recharge' the silicon beads can be frustrating. You will sooner or later spend more than buyer a proper cabinet , trust me.
2. How much to put it: Get a good hydrometer and use it to measure the %RH as a guide. The tupperware size decides this.
3. After 1 yr of tupperware usage, one of my lenses kena fungus. It was a case of I did all reasonable steps - clear the lens after use, dry properly and keep in tupperware with proper change of silicon beads. Paying to clean that lens erased all cost savings I could ever hope to get.
4. Switched to a good dry cabinet with recommendations from the seniors here, and now i'm never happier. Go count the electricity usage + cost of cabinet and you will know that u will save in the long run - financially or peace of mind.
I use MFT and i swop between my cameras everyday too
Thing is bro, u ain't gonna be bringing out all your lenses everyday too so there will be equipment in long term storage.
Just TURN OFF your air-conditioner for ONE NIGHT and you save enough electricity for the dry cab for many months LOL
Honestly the electricity incurred will be worth it. Just switch off your appliances when you don't need them. Save when you can. But not on everything.
Agree. My 30L one is too small for me already. Maybe last time should've whacked 90L.
Suggest camera shops next time standard issue 90L to all newcomers.
Suggest camera shops next time standard issue 90L to all newcomers.
Brand wise, it is up to individual. Not so good if to mention here. You can PM me for the brand I used and send you photos.
Agree. My 30L one is too small for me already. Maybe last time should've whacked 90L.
Suggest camera shops next time standard issue 90L to all newcomers.
Agreed! I started off with 30L and I ran out of space within weeks. 60 or 90 will be good.
on a long term planning, 120L is good!
Yeah, approx 2 months*
Estimate: Running a 5W device for 24 hours (current tariff 25.65 cents per kWh), works out to:
$0.03 / day
$0.92 / month
$11.23 / year
*A single-split or window unit air-conditioner (approx 1000W) @ 8 hours will roughly cost $2.05/day.
Dry cab needs 5-7W only... That is nothing compared to your Aircon, water heater, TV, Stereo, toaster, rice cooker...
Dry cabinet is the way to go....mine has been used for more than 5years and still working very well as i bought additional hydrometer to double confirm it is working well. Currently my cabinet is almost full and luckily i bought 100L that time though only got 1 camera and lens.
a smallest dry cabinet cost about $120, it can last you for more than 5 years, monthly won't cost you a few dollars on utility bill for 5w/hr consumption.
other than camera, you still can keep other items inside your dry cabinet. it is also very convenience to use it.
anyway, you can still go the dry box route, might save a couple of dollars and some inconvenience of changing drying agent.
but at a risk of fungus growing if leak of maintenance due to poor discipline.
if the camera/lens is infest with fungus, the cleaning cost itself will cost you more than a new dry cabinet and it also lower the value of your gears.
so whatever you save in the past is useless.
don't be penny wise and pound foolish.
Got it from Aliexpress, just search for hygrometer and will have lots for you to choose.
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