My first posting outside of Europe was to Kuala Lumpur. Our house had an aircon in the bedroom but nowhere else. The theory was that there would be a pleasant flow of air through the house because it was made of wood and was full of slats and holes. The reality was that it was still bloody hot and we were robbed a lot because bad people could easily gain entry by the simple expedient of removing the slats or widening the holes. It was also very humid, the impact of which I did not realise until I inspected my substantial and loved record collection and discovered that instead of black vinyl I had green life forms.
The mould was removed at some cost, only to return a few months later. My record collection was doomed; in retrospect a good thing because it was almost wholly shit. But when I acquired a camera and some lenses I was determined that they should not fall victim to the dreaded mould.
The answer was a humidity cabinet. A sealed box with some electronics that facilitate the removal of moisture; so the humidity content in the air drops from the usual 70%+ to around 45%. You don’t want it too low, otherwise you get a different type of mould, which is probably also green although I have never seen it.
My cabinet has served me well and has seen the ebb and flow (usually flow) of gear over the years. It was getting a little tight in there, but manageable; until three Russian cameras came along and I really needed more storage. The answer, a second cabinet:
On the top left we have the three Kievs, with space for one more should the need arise (and it probably will). Below them, the Canon 300mm F2.8 occupies a substantial amount of real estate but I am not complaining because it is an epic lens.
Over on the right, the top of the cabinet has the GX1 with a lens attached, together with the GF1 which I can’t sell because it looks like it has been bathed in wire wool, and the Olympus EP-1 which I could sell because it is immaculate; but she who must be obeyed won’t let me. And it belongs to her so I suppose it is her decision. The middle section is full of M43 lenses, which means I can’t buy any more; except there is a space next to the Canon 1D on the bottom row that is just crying out to be filled.
Or I could just buy a third cabinet.
Comments 🔗
2012-08-03| Spanky saysWhere are all your adapted lenses?
2012-08-04| Spike saysYou can see the Yashica poking out. Couple more inside; but I sold off some, particularly the two Contax lenses which are now somewhat overshadowed by standard M43 offerings.
2012-08-05| PsA_Batman saysNice. Do they have them in usual run-of-the-mill camera shops? I guess I should pick one up for my gear now that I have a proper camera & lenses. What did it set you back?
2012-08-05| Spike saysDepends where you are. The better camera shops in Bangkok stock them. I bought this one in Big Camera at Central Beach in Pattaya. Choice of two sizes.