Protect Your Camera Gear From Moisture and Mold

The easiest way to protect your camera and lenses from moisture and mold is to store it in a dry box. What is a dry box? It's a simple plastic box that is sealed kept warm with a dehumidifier in it to help remove humidity or moisture from your camera gear and lenses. It will help keep mold from grown in them and even help you rescue electronics that might have accidentally been splashed with water. This is a simple cheap do it yourself option to help you keep your gear in great shape. This week's Friday 5 minutes to better filmmaking and photography tip is simple but effective.
Silica gel desiccant: geni.us/0LBUAn (affiliate link)
Sealed Airtight box: geni.us/5BIxfaf (affiliate link)
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Jake Sloan
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[@geoffreymee7671]

Excellent presentation Jake... I need one of these. I've just moved to Cairns Australia and this time of year humidity is on the rise, so thx a lot👍

[@JakeSloan]

Thanks!

[@steveschnetzler5471]

Wonderful, another project, thanks. I am already thinking what I have that I can use for this. I have to get some of those Silica gel desiccant on order, I have everything else I need.

[@JakeSloan]

Nice!!

[@TheAlaskanOutsider]

Great video, great topic, well delivered!!

[@JakeSloan]

Thanks!!

[@808-Stat3]

Why didn't I think of that .. man. Good stuff. Thanks Jake.

[@JakeSloan]

Nice! thanks a lot brother cheers.

[@beautyandthesavage]

Thank you so much!! 🙌🏼

[@JakeSloan]

You're so welcome!

[@journeyman4328]

Great info Jake. 👍

[@JakeSloan]

Thanks!

[@exploringwithrotternfish7717]

Helpful mate Thanks for sharing.👍👍😍

[@JakeSloan]

Cheers

[@SAFEYCAREY]

To improve the performance of the box, it should be tied with 2 rubbers in the long direction and 1 rubber in the width direction. Because the clip is in the wide axis. Also the seal is smeared with silicone oil, once every 6 months. 2 hygroscopic placed opposites.

[@JakeSloan]

great tips!

[@pentagramyt417]

And of course, don't forget to put the box in 45 degrees relative to the rotation of the Earth's axis, and then it should stay on the 100% straight ground (measured with a spirit level!!) with 3 golden bars of 1 oz. weight each underneath, and 5 walnuts around the box. Then the ritual of keeping moisture free from the lens, is completed.

[@cwTheDrummist]

Brilliant!

[@JakeSloan]

Thanks Chris!

[@bigshotmedia]

We get over 320 days a year with sun. But you always have good content thanks!!!

[@JakeSloan]

lol Thanks!

[@MrEddieNunez]

Awesome hack!

[@JakeSloan]

Thanks Eddie

[@simplexj4298]

I like the idea of a USB powered little fan! Here in Germany many supermarkets offer 1 kilogram Silicagel packets for little more than 10 Euros when the wet season begins, usually to keep your car interior dry and stop the windshield from being fogged over night. These have no window to check the color, but as Silicagel can absorb up to 40 % of water I usually start to regenerate such a package in the oven when its weight is around 1,200 grams instead of 1,000 grams. Cheap and easy for cars, should work well for lenses and cameras, too.

[@JakeSloan]

fantastic!

[@akashshete1695]

Life saver 🙌❤

[@JakeSloan]

thanks!

[@ryanlam6689]

Thanks a lot for sharing this! Usually to what degree of humidity could your system get down to?

[@JakeSloan]

I like to keep it under 40%

[@SunriseWaterMedia]

That's very resourceful of you. Does the lumecube emit much heat? I seem to think of LED lights as being generally cool.

[@JakeSloan]

just enough and while led lights are cooler than incandescent they still generate heat for sure

[@eltee5696]

Especially if you're in the tropics. Even if for a while. Because of the crazy heat, most places, including trains and buses have ac. My camera was in my bag. I came out of the building, saw something I liked, but couldn't take a photo. The lens and evf had heavy condensation. You can wipe if off but some moisture might already have seeped in. So no choice stay in the open with camera on shoulder, let the heat dry things out. Don't remove or change lenses. The moisture will get onto the mirror and might water-stain it.

[@JakeSloan]

Exactly right.

[@chriswittstruck282]

Nice thanks. Subbed.

[@JakeSloan]

Thanks for the sub!

[@mish19811]

Hi great 👍 video! You are filming with the sigma 16 1.4 and it look great and without any distortion, do you fix it in post ? Or maybe 🤔 the a6600 dose it ?

[@JakeSloan]

This was filmed with the Sony A7sIII and Sony 24mm 1.4 GM lens

[@willcrespo24]

Macgyver Jake!! Very nice.

[@JakeSloan]

Thanks will!

[@TheAaronalden]

Thanks for the tip! an ounce of prevention something, something... I better buy these before I need them!

[@JakeSloan]

You're welcome!

[@mat_leo]

an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure. xD

[@Yet_Another_Steve]

All those small silica gel sachets I've thrown away over the years and I could have kept them to reuse...

[@JakeSloan]

Lol right?

[@ashmodeustacretiust2017]

helo jake. great video. i want to ask. How low is too low for humidity to cause any problems to camera or any electronics in particular?

[@JakeSloan]

It doesn’t matter how low. Only when there is more than about 40-50%

[@gregsullivan7408]

Excellent - thanks. I'm a very occasional photographer, and every time I get the lenses out, there's mold on them - it's really depressing.

[@JakeSloan]

Oh dang. Once it’s on them it’s tough to deal with unfortunately

[@DanielSilva-te1ww]

Ruggard dry boxes are pretty affordable. I got an 80 liter for $200 on sale

[@JakeSloan]

very true! and they would really well

[@simszolcs]

Hi, how much better with or without a fan? Is the box in principle hermetically sealed so that the rotation of the air inside is sufficient for the "ventilated box" effect?

[@JakeSloan]

it is and to keep new moisture out of the box

[@AniketSen-dn5ij]

I just bought my very first ILC...upgrading from a smartphone, hence bit of a novice here. I was wondering about how to care/protect/maintain my humble little gear. You video was helpful....Also, what if my camera is weather sealed, does that even give me any extra headroom?

[@JakeSloan]

That certainly helps a lot! But if you change lenses in humidity/rain etc you will want to make sure you dry things out after.

[@AniketSen-dn5ij]

@@JakeSloan noted…one last request pal, can you recommend me on a mirrorless cleaning kit?

[@sombongkualat]

THANKS SO MUCH FROM 🇮🇩

[@JakeSloan]

Cheers!

[@stevengoossen6019]

Like how creative you are!! Of course, you know how to fly a helicopter; you can do anything. I like your channel because it's different, you are in Alaska and I get to see so many places I am not able to. Thanks!

[@JakeSloan]

I do not know how to fly a helicopter fully but I am working it

[@bharrison270]

Can you name the brands of the items you mention - like the tiny fan and luma box Thank you

[@JakeSloan]

The fan is just a super cheap 5v usb fan off amazon. The lume cube is the lume cube light from lumecube

[@enricomarconi8358]

Hi and thanks for great tips. Let me ask you, if I were to use weather-sealed lenses, say to shoot a model in the bathtub filled with hotwater, where does this leave me? will I be fine only with a cloth to dry the lens and the camera?

[@JakeSloan]

I would keep the lens and camera as dry as possible and do not open the camera or take the lens off when you are in the location.

[@enricomarconi1767]

@@JakeSloan thank you so much Jake!

[@haparcheledupwar]

this works btw,,, thanks.

[@JakeSloan]

Glad to hear it

[@silas1414]

Are these more for summer? I would imagine they wouldn't be needed in Winter when the humidity is very low and dry?

[@JakeSloan]

it depends on where you live, in some places summer is much more humid and inside is air conditioned and cool but in alaska in the winter outside is cold and dry but inside is warm and humid so it really comes down to any time you are moving equipment from one temperature extreme to another

[@swaggyjayr8469]

how much humidity is good for DSLR cameras inside the DIY drybox?

[@JakeSloan]

It's best to have it under 40% for storage

[@napakaiyarath9241]

What temperature should keep my camera in the box? And when I can replace my silica gel box?

[@JakeSloan]

you can and I keep mine at room temp

[@rangersmith4652]

There's room in my dehumidified gun safe for a camera and a lens or two. If my gear gets exposed to humid conditions, I just tuck it in there overnight or even for a few days. Of course, a lot of photographers don't have a gun safe.

[@JakeSloan]

Fantastic idea

[@poorguy596]

Sir Can you tell me the size of the box which you used in this video?

[@JakeSloan]

size doesnt matter as much as making sure it will fit your gear

[@jasonmunoz1528]

I did the same after ruin my first camera equipment, now my box is next to my internet router cuz that thing heat up like crazy 🤣

[@JakeSloan]

Good spot then! Lol

[@ananthums8970]

I didn't understand about the light thing ... Also in wat direction should we place the fan .

[@JakeSloan]

The light is to add heat and the fan should blow across the lens or camera

[@Pnoysneakerhead24]

Quick question, if you do resort in buying one of those dry cabinets, do you keep it in there indefinitely when not in use?

[@JakeSloan]

If you live in a humid climate then yes! If you live in a drier area then only when you need to. Generally anything under 40% humidity is ok anything above is not.

[@thepmaexperience]

I live in Thailand, the temp today is 32 and humidity is 64%. I recently noticed a lot of cables, usb etc started to corrode. I want to use your method with silica gel and presuming I can store external hard drives also like this. I do a 3 hard drive back up process and thinking when not using to permanently have in the box. What are your thoughts about using anti static bags for hard drives in the box? And do I need a fan? Thanks for your time, thanks for the video and have an awesome day!👍

[@thepmaexperience]

I should also add that I’m currently needing to swap out my Mac book pros motherboard as it gets insanely hot in a non air con environment especially whilst editing video, even when using x2 direct fans. Any pointers on how to keep a Mac cooler in a humid country? I use software so internal fans are on full. I’ve looked into ice cooling pads that people are quite into using but I’m assuming they’d create internal condensation, no? I’m thinking the best resolve is to use in an air con environment.

[@chesterinocencio]

Hello! Thanks for your video! May i know if 60-63% RH inside the dry box good or bad for the camera body and lens please? Thanks!

[@JakeSloan]

ideally you want it to be around 40%

[@JAF2991]

Lume cube? I think shining a lamp onto it from the outside works as well?

[@JakeSloan]

The light needs to be inside to help generate heat in the sealed container

[@MarkH163]

Very interesting, Jake Sloan. I've used dry rice in a sealed tupperware to dry out a cell phone that had gotten wet, so I know that what your doing works.

[@JakeSloan]

Thats a great idea too!

[@beachbum4691]

Ooooh' So brilliant, so sneaky, so cheap and can be endlessly re-cycled. Goes off to buy some rice to dry in the oven, to allow to cool and put into my photo gear trolly drawers :)

[@beachbum4691]

"Dry rice in a sealed tupperware to dry out a cell phone?" = Playing to win = Suddenly what can't you do? = Smart :)

[@louvega8414]

Dry rice? Can I get that on Amazon?

[@developerkaustav4996]

Whats the volume of the container in litres?

[@JakeSloan]

About 22

[@louvega8414]

You can also use this technique to dry apricots, prunes, and a sense of humour 😜

[@JakeSloan]

hahahahahahah best comment yet!

[@louvega8414]

@@JakeSloan I'm going to try incubating chicken eggs, next. I recon it'll work...

[@user-pr3eu3qv8o]

is it okay if i only put the gel silica gel packet in to the box?

[@JakeSloan]

it is but more would be better over time

[@RivuSouravBanerjeeVideoEditor]

omg .. what a genius solution 😲, i was getting concerned with my new sony a7s3+sigma 24-70 and other lenses as summer is approaching and it gets so hot and humid in India. Previously i used to throw away all silica gel packets i get from new products . never realized it can be used. i checked amazon india .. haven’t found one with a box like this

[@JakeSloan]

for the storage box anything that can be sealed relatively air tight will work. for the silica hopefully you can find something that will work.

[@RivuSouravBanerjeeVideoEditor]

@@JakeSloan thanks 😊 .. they hv silica pouches and stuff here.

[@the-entertainment477]

Please. Can you tell me if rice or baking soda is safe for the camera if I put it inside the food storage container next to the camera?

[@JakeSloan]

rice is but not baking soda

[@rodrigogarcia2607]

If the weather allows you can just let things dry in the sun also.

[@JakeSloan]

also true

[@info_bits]

My computer monitor started to build mold in the screen. I thought it was dust. But couldn't get it off. But removing it uncovered the fungus like thing. Now I am worried.

[@JakeSloan]

oh wow!

[@beachbum4691]

Ooooh' Also-Rice? So brilliant, so sneaky, so cheap and can be endlessly re-cycled. Goes off to buy some rice to dry in the oven, to allow to cool and put into my photo gear trolly drawers :) Negative comment anyone? Am I jumping the wrong way?

[@JakeSloan]

rice works as well

[@davepastern]

@@JakeSloan rice in a woollen sock? What do you think?

[@billburgess9100]

Consider putting a bowl of kitty litter or rice in the cabinet. Heat in in the oven occasionally to dry it out.

[@JakeSloan]

That’s also a way to do it

[@jajr.08]

sorry newbie question - do you put the dehumidifier into the box together with your camera immediaty after oven? do you make it cool down first? or do you put the hot dehumidifier in the box without the camera first and seal. then later add the camera?

[@JakeSloan]

Yeah let it cool down first and you only need to do the oven thing when you notice the beads in the container have changed color.

[@keepinganopenmind8216]

Question, I put away my D800 and my lens about three years ago and haven't used them since.. they were in their case and in nice camera bad / pack pack all were dry... I had them in a plastic storage container.. they sat inside my river house stored... the container wasn't opened at all for at least a year between... nothing got wet... But I took them out today and took some photos and the photos seem blurry... is it possible my lens and or camera has moisture and maybe even mold.. I do keep my gear clean but I do live in an area near the beach... on a river... so it is humid here.. any ideas Do I check for mold and hod do I do that how do I know if moisture or dust or mild has damaged my gear.. The lens and camera never seem to be blurry before I put them away., Thanks..

[@JakeSloan]

If you look at the lens from the front element against a strong light you can see if there is mold inside. If there is unfortunately you’ll have to pay to get them cleaned or replace them. I know since I had the same thing happen to one of my film cameras. Usually a good local camera shop will offer a cleaning service

[@keepinganopenmind8216]

@@JakeSloan Thanks.. It's weird.. I do not see mold, I can see that my sensor needs to be cleaned, I ordered some cleaning swabs so I;ll do that when they come in, I do not see any webing mold or anything.. it seems to only affect the area that I am trying to get super focused and I never had an issue before.. so far not sure it is the lens... a 500mm or the camera a D800. I will see what I can figure out... and I'll come back an let ya know.. It appears these days we can't get anything serviced or repaired locally.. all of our camera stores closed.. Thanks internet.. you really screwed us.. Thanks Amazon you destroyed our world...

[@manuelodabashian1089]

Can you put your cameras in rucksacks and add silica gel in the rucksack?

[@melanienolley]

It's not air tight but you can use large ziplock bags.

[@JakeSloan]

you really need an air tight container for it to work

[@vme3000]

What about if your camera gear is in a cold basement? Should I get a blanket to put over the lenses while in the box? Any suggestions?

[@JakeSloan]

Basements are typically humid damp environments so if definitely keep them in a dry box

[@vme3000]

@@JakeSloan okay will do that. Thank you. Does bubble wrap also help?

[@miketv9484]

how many percent to maintain the humidity?thanks.Godbless

[@JakeSloan]

you want to keep it around or under 40%

[@sethirteenkay3579]

Hi, I have X100V, can I use a plastic seal bag to store it?

[@JakeSloan]

You can but I would only do that if you keep the silica gel packets in with it. The potential for mold is high otherwise

[@sethirteenkay3579]

@@JakeSloan I see, thanks you so much for ur reply 🙏🏻

[@aditv888]

Does this really work? I want to have something for travelling. Pls suggest

[@JakeSloan]

yes it does but for travel I would use a smaller container

[@ice_box7765]

Are scented dehumidifiers okay to use?

[@JakeSloan]

I wouldn't use them but I don't see an major issues

[@ice_box7765]

@@JakeSloan I was in a rush to buy those packed dehumidifiers and ended up buying the scented ones at the local hardware store. My gear all smell rosy now. I wonder if it will affect the metal or something. Scent is not corrosive, is it?

[@ice_box7765]

@@JakeSloan I just read that calcium chloride is corrosive. Okay, imma stop using it!

[@Adisa1992]

Are the fans absolutely necessary?

[@JakeSloan]

Not totally but they help.

[@anhphungvlog5570]

Can I do without the fans?

[@JakeSloan]

Sure

[@dengrek1]

Великолепно всё рассказал и по делу. В таких условиях грибок на объективах точно не появится.

[@JakeSloan]

thank you cheers

[@greatbaracuda6164]

how about UV light . ive read that UV light repell molds , germs, fungus ⁉

[@JakeSloan]

it does but it also cannot reach everywhere in the lenses and cameras

[@greatbaracuda6164]

@@JakeSloan thank you

[@ZombieCurl]

just cover your camera in a ziplock bag, cut a circle, and "seal" the lens with the lens protector filter.

[@JakeSloan]

good idea

[@blangd]

Super important not to leave those silica Gell packs loose inside like shown here. Why? When they break, (and they will) you have hundreds of little beads that find there way into gear cracks and space that be a pain to get out, (yes, speaking from experience, laptop bag, silica gell pack broke, beads everywhere)

[@JakeSloan]

rofl sooooo true!!

[@DLNOT]

How the silica gel packs would break?

[@blangd]

@@DLNOT Good question. Not the metal can types, more like the cloth/paper bag type you get packed in shipping items. Easy to toss one or two of those in a bag thinking you're protecting your gear from moisture, but then have it get torn or punctured by the same item you are trying to protect.

[@user-hh3lg4ro4g]

why would you ever buy that shitty non sealed lenses ??!!

[@JakeSloan]

Many cinema lenses and most vintage lenses have no weather sealing.