errr..how do you store your Nikonos ?

[raytoei@gmail.com]

I took delivery of a Nikonos IV. If it is humidity and dust and water proof ...then do i still have to store it in a dry cabinet ?

raytoei

[Gumby]

You can if you want, or you could store it in a fish tank. You're choice!

[crawdiddy]

Good question, ray. I just bought an old Nikonos III, and I'm wondering if I should store it "disassembled." In other words, to NOT store it as if it's ready to go diving. Since the seals are water tight, I'm thinking there could be humidity inside the case which could produce fungus long term.

I'm interested to hear what others have to say about this.

[pvdhaar]

Although the Nikonos is humidity and dust and water tight, it's not humidity and dust and water proof.. The difference may be subtle, but it's crucial to understand. It's the outside that's built to withstand the abuse, not the inside.

Especially a camera that's taken underwater will experience big temperature drops that may lead to condensation. So even if it's not leaking at all, moisture may form on the inside, and given that the camera is water tight (so there's no ventilation at all) may stay in there for long times if the camera is kept closed after use. If there's a small leak (or you haven't greased the seals) and water seeps in, so much the worse, especially because surface water contains spores, algae, and other muck.

Now, anything that's kept in a humid environment for a prolonged time will see development of fungus (when above water) or algae (when under water). Therefore, you need to clean and dry the camera after use, and allow it to completely dry and ventilate on the inside..

So, long story short, storing a Nikonos in a dry cabinet is a good plan, and keeping it in a bucket of water isn't..

[crawdiddy]

Originally Posted by pvdhaar

So, long story short, storing a Nikonos in a dry cabinet is a good plan, and keeping it in a bucket of water isn't..

...and I would reiterate-- storing it with the case "broken", or not sealed, is preferable to storing it all sealed up. Because any humidity inside could turn to moisture, with temperature changes, and lead to fungus.