CAMERA & LENS STORAGE

I'm seeing numerous references to fungus and having tried the search facility, I haven't yet come across any definitive advice on camera / lens storage to prevent this phenomenon.
Anyone want to post something on this or at least provide a link to some clear recommendations on how it can be avoided please?
Prevention's got to be better than cure.
Thanks.

Don't keep lenses in camera bags, particularly after using in damp or cold conditions and then walking into a warm house. I keep mine on the shelf, never in a bag or lens case. I also keep some of those moisture sucking gel packs in my bags when I do go out to keep out the damp. Never had a fungus attack yet

Lenses and cameras not actually in use are kept on open shelves. Plenty of air circulation and freedom from damp are the key things.

Yup, lots of air circulation keeps the moisture down and prevents mould.

Thanks guys.

That's good to know I keep all my lenses on an open shelf and was worried that it's not the best thing to do

Thanks guys

I would love to keep my lenses on an open shelf for ease of access, but an empty shelf is hard to find in my clutter filled house! I don't really get the air circulation thing though - surely a lens with front and rear caps on is pretty much a sealed unit, so any internal air circulation would be very slight indeed. I would have thought the moisture content of the air was more significant, hence the humidity controlled cabinets people buy to store lenses in the tropics.

Lenses are not sealed to air Philip and the open shelf/air circulation has been found over many years to be the best solution. The worst is enclosed bags and boxes, or even inside cabinets and drawers. In the last two cases a large amount of chemicals can be given off by furniture and this too can damage cameras and lenses.

Humidity is indeed important and centrally heated houses are perfect. The relative humidity can be quite low. RH is 44% here at the moment.

I read somewhere (I think it was in this forum) that you should also stand them with the mount at the bottom. Somehow this prevents the aperture blades getting oiled up. Is this true?

I always stand lenses back element down and always with a back cap on the lens. My logic for this was to avoid storing the lens with all its weight resting on the focusing mechanism, as it would be if it were front element down.

The cap is essential to protect any flanges and contacts on the back of the lens.

I always wrap my carving gouges in a rag to reduce air circulation otherwise rust is formed (very quickly).

I realise that rust isn't generally a photographers nightmare but I would have thought that an enclosed, warm environment with bags of dessicant would be the ideal solution.

regards
Bernard

Unfortunately Bernard, for lenses that's a very poor option. I take in lots of lenses that have been stored exactly that way and are full of fungus.

Where do you get those from please? Should I take my camera out of it's bag when not in use please?

Those packs are often in boxes with new electronics or shoes. I found a massive one with a new beamer a few weeks ago

You should. The trouble is with the gel packs is when they have absorbed a certain amount of moisture, they stop working. Thus your precious equipment might be developing fungus, out of sight. (Although to be fair it's not a huge risk). But better to keep it all out in the open where the air can get to it, and you can keep an eye on it.