Are all dry cabinets the same?

Hi,

As the title says, are they all the same?
Has there been a comparison between the digital dry cabinets?
Should we choose based on size, price, warranty and if repair is available nearby?

(if this has already been discussed, please direct me to the thread).

Thanks!

Excuse my ignorance but what is a 'digital dry cabinet'?

Oh don't worry, i had to look it up as well
Makes a mockery of my silicone sachet ☺

I have a tall series of shelves alongside my desk. My lenses (lots of them) simply sit there with circulating air and they have been happy for many years. Every so often the whole collection gets vacuumed with the 'duster' accessory and individual lenses get the Rocket treatment before being put onto a camera. ALL lenses have fungal spores, no matter what you do with them and a fancy cabinet won't alter that one jot. Clean, dry air will prevent those spores from growing - so simply, provide it!

Isn't that what a dry cabinet is meant to do? The OP's address is Vellore, India. I haven't been there so can't speak from experience, but wouldn't be surprised if humidity in the atmosphere is a problem.

Steve

As has been stated above, clean dry (moist free) air is the key to safe storage of lenses and preferably dust free as well. The issue for most people is can they provide a truly moisture free storage solution in their homes 365 days per year. Not easy for most people in he average household I suspect. Fluctuating temperatures pose another potential threat. This is where having a dry cabinet is a definite advantage.

I currently have four dry cabinets and glad that I do. Yes they can be expensive but considering the cost of one's investment in lenses, you have to ask yourself - are they worth it? In my opinion - yes! No one wants fungus in there lenses for obvious reasons and not least that it may drastically effect their value.

If you own only a handful of lenses then maybe a dry cabinet is overkill depending on your circumstances and environment. If on the other hand you have as I do an extensive collection of lenses and some very expensive at that, then a dry cabinet/s is highly recommended. (I wish I had more of them).

To answer the OP's question, I think names aside, most of the dry cabinets available on ebay probably emanate from the same factory in China. (I'm guessing) and so are much the same. I have come across some industrial ones but they are prohibitively expensive. For anyone thinking of investing in one, I would recommend starting with at least a 100ltr option but shop around for the best deal. I feel pretty sure that the neck of the woods that you inhabit Gibis might call for an industrial job, especially in the monsoon season, so good luck.

Just my thoughts!