Long term camera body storage

Hi,

 

I havea camera body that I want to put up for long term storage and

this is what I am considering. I own a Tilia Foodsaver (vacuum sealer)

and what I was thinking is that I would seal the body w/a body cap &

w/a couple of silica gel packets in a sealed airtight bag. Any thoughts ??

 

-thanks

James

Clean up the body before sealing it, leave little air in the package.

 

I'd pay attention to temperature changes. The rest looks good.

I would go for a container that can breathe...and don't forget to take out the battery. I don't know if it makes much difference, but I would also set the time to bulb.

If the bag really is airtight, you don't need silica gel (there'll be no humidity changes).

Let's not forget to locate the preserved camera in an enviroment

that avoids temprature extremes. For most folk's that would mean a

top self in a closet on the main floor of your home.

Vacuum? Do you have any idea of the pression supported by some fragile

components inside as you suck air out? Remember this is an electronic device, not a

chopped liver.

 

Depending on the model and how long, perhaps it's a better to ebay-it. Especially if

it's a film camera which has chances of being discontinued in the near future... you

can pick it up later for much less.

The best way to keep from growing fungus on cameras and lenses is to leave them where air can freely circulate and there's a moderate amount of light on them part of the time. Low to moderate humidity helps. Modern cameras aren't covered in real leather and Canadian balsam is no longer the glue of choice for cementing lens elements together so fungus is not the problem it was years ago.

If you pull a full Vacuum; the greases will outgass; and the lubrication lost. An added benefit is the oil from the grease will coat the optics; mirrors too!. One will get a non lubricated camera; with fogged optics. Some types capacitors will pop; and be ruined. Also many plastics sublime/outgass and coat the optics too. Some plastics will distort and change shape; with this outgassing loss of material.<BR><BR>Cameras need to be used; People need to walk. storage of a camera is like having an active person confined to a bed; with NO exercise allowed. This is abad mix for cameras and folks.

i totally agree with Kelly F.

I also agree with Kelly. I'll add...do not store your camera in an environment where it will be subjected to formaldehyde vapors (these are thought by some to rapidly accelerate the breakdown of the foam originally used as light seal). Formaldehyde is in the glues & dyes used in clothing mfg, particleboard mfg (esp foreign), carpet, and film itself. In fact, if I were going to store a camera for an extended period, I'd go ahead and re-seal it with materials known not to breakdown over time. If you need those, I can help. Please go to E-Bay, search "by seller" and enter my ID...Interslice.

 

Jon

I strongly support Kelly's view. Cameras must be used - if only every couple of months and I would never vacume pack it. I keep mine in a steel cuboard with fresh Silica that I refresh regularly. I live at 5000 ft ASL so its pretty dry here. Film cameras need excercise - in fact the Canon T90 is known for giving shutter trouble if it's not used every once in a while. If "long term" more than 3 or 4 months then rather pack it in a bag with silica but get someone to put the baterries in an cycle it every 2 or thre months.

 

I have a significant number of old MF cameras and a couple that I have left for years have given me problems when I wanted to use them.