Lens storage

What is the best way to store lenses when not in use? I'm not talking long term storage, just storage at home when not in use. I live in a fairly wet/humid part of northern British Columbia. Thanks.....Vic.

Put some desiccant sachets in the storage bag. Replace approx. annually.

Good point Bob.

There are heat-sealers for plastic bags. Or are you going to tell me they are useless as well?

While I am still thinking about it, make those bags "heavy duty".

Edited by brettania - 12 November 2012 at 10:11

brettania wrote: There are heat-sealers for plastic bags. Or are you going to tell me they are useless as well?

Heat sealer can work well but you do need to make sure that the bag really is sealed by squeezing it after sealing. The first problem is to ensure that the air you inevitably enclose in the bag is dry otherwise the desiccant will have too much work to do. And yes, plastic boxes do work too, but are much more bulky than bags! I store my little used lenses in big storage boxes that can take a lot of photo gear: their lids make a fairly effective seal.

The OP really doesn't have big problem, if he lived in the tropics especially in a rain forest area he would, all he needs are sensible precautions. What he doesn't need it to potentially make matters worse. A lens in regular use shouldn't have a problem. If fungus is the concern, then regular doses of sunlight will work wonder to prevent it!

I've had no real problems, but when I purchased a couple of cheap humidity meters at my local Home Depot last fall, I thought about protecting my not often used glass, as it read 85%. After searching the local stores for a plastic tub that I could use for a dry box and being very disappointed with their selection, in contrast to products that seem available to the south, I purchased a Pelican case from B&H. (Hunting supply shops did have dry boxes, but the shape and lid configuration was not to my liking)
I leave a small gel pack, you don't need much, and a RH meter to gauge the moisture. I treated the gel packs by arranging them on a baking sheet and left them in the oven for a period of time to revive them. I keep the spares in a freezer bag with my second humidity meter and they are still at about 10% after about 6 months. I was happy to see that B&H actually sold the Cinnabar colour cheaper than the other colours and it matches my Lowepro gear as well!
I hope this helps....

The biggest problem for lens / camera storage in any climate is temperature change. A drop in temperature means that saturated air deposits it moisture on any colder surface. Temperature variation can be a major problem in the tropics as the air is often saturated with moisture and even a small drop in temperature will lead to condensation. This is especially important if air conditioning is involved. For most temperate climatic conditions, it should be sufficient to keep your gear in a more less sealed container such as a poly bag. If you need more protection, then a simple inexpensive camping "Cool Box" will minimise the temperature changes and hence minimise the risk of condensation.

It is also worth remembering that in the tropics, because of the high ambient temperature, moulds and fungi will propagate at an alarming rate, whereas in cooler climates the risks are very much less. Therefore, protection that might be essential in the tropics might be unnecessary in a cooler climate.