how to store camera and lenses

I guess that would reduce the available moisture in the air, and reduce fungus growth?

It won't kill fungal spores, and probably not the fungus itself. But it will stop it growing!
A vacuum can potentially introduce other problems though. If too strong a vacuum is used it will cause lubricants from the aperture to migrate around the lens... Normal household vacuums (from vacuum cleaners etc.) are probably OK.

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Mike
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Pentax:K7, K100D, DA18-55, DA10-17, DA55-300, DA50-200, F100-300, F50, DA35 AL, 4* M50, 2* M135, Helicoid extension, Tak 300 f4 (& 6 film bodies)
3rd Party: Bigmos (Sigma 150-500mm OS HSM),2* 28mm, 100mm macro, 28-200 zoom, 35-80 zoom, 80-200 zoom, 80-210 zoom, 300mm M42, 600 mirror, 1000-4000 scope, 50mm M42, enlarger lenses, micro 4/3 camera with tiltable PK mount, Zenit E...
Far to many tele-converters, adapters, project parts & extension tubes etc.

.[size=11:].Flickr• WPF• Panoramio

If there is an air gap between lens elements a vacuum could potential disturb the settings if applied to suddenly, but as Mike says it won't really solve the problem.

I use a plastic bag and domestic vac to hold pieces together when glueing small wooden items. The crushing force has to be seen to be believed and unless you're prepared to leave the vac running the whole time of your 'experiment' the vacuum eases of quite rapidly (almost as if poly bags are porous)

regards
Bernard

I've made a rack for small diameter lenses from some reasonably high density foam.



I'm wondering now if foam is the right material for the job?

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Barrie
Too Old To Die Young
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Pentax K5x2 K20D Q I-10 01 02 DA*300 A50/2.0 A50/1.7 FA50/1.4 FA100/3.5 K55/1.8 M40/2.8 M200/4.0 FA135/2.8 FA35 DA70/2.4 FA28-70 DA10-17 DA18-55WR DA17-70 DA55-300 DA50-200WR DA*50-135 Sigma 24,50,105,180 8-16 17-70 24-70 150-500 400/5.6MF Tamron 70-200/2.8 17/3.5MF 28/2.5MF 90/2.5MF 300/2.8MF

Wood gives off chemicals, which is why having open shelves or racks is important. Foam should also be chemical free, otherwise the volatile gases given off might affect lenses. It's just a matter of the type of foam. After all, it is used in some camera cases.

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Best regards, John

If you are using gel it is worth investing in something like this: link

The indicator lets you know when it has become saturated.

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My Photobucket

For lens with an aperture ring I always close down the aperture to its maximum to reduce tension on the springs.

There's certainly some meticulous storage methods employed from various peeps.

I've taken no special steps and even my lenses which I've owned over 25 years are still fine.

I wouldn't want to store one near a swamp though

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Bodies: 2x K-5, Sony TX-5, Nokia 808
Lenses: Pentax DA 10-17mm ED(IF) Fish Eye, Pentax DA 14mm f/2.8, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8, Pentax-A 28mm f/2.8, Sigma 30mm F1.4 EX DC, Pentax-A 50mm f/1.2, Pentax-A 50mm f/1.4, Pentax-FA 50mm f/1.4, Pentax-A 50mm f/1.7, Pentax DA* 50-135mm f/2.8, Sigma 135-400mm APO DG, and more ..
Flash: AF-540FGZ, Vivitar 283
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