So, I've been playing with AI lately, CoPilot from Microsoft and Grok from X. I like Grok as it has a bit of personality. I put your question to Grok and here's the answer. I do not stand behind the answer, just passing it on.
Question: If I lived in Salem Oregon where the average humidity is 75%, would you recommend a dry cabinet for my higher end cameras and lenses?
Answer:
Absolutely, if you're living in Salem, Oregon, with its lush, often damp environment where the humidity likes to hover around 75%, a dry cabinet isn't just a recommendation; it's practically a necessity for your high-end camera gear. Here's why:
- Fungus Among Us: Cameras and lenses, especially the fancy ones, are like a five-star hotel for fungus. High humidity is the equivalent of leaving the welcome mat out. A dry cabinet keeps the humidity low, making your gear's environment less appealing for fungal guests.
- Electronics Don't Swim Well: Your camera's electronic components might not appreciate the moist embrace of Oregon's air. Keeping them dry helps prevent corrosion and electrical issues, which could save you from the heartbreak of a bricked camera.
- Longevity of Lenses: Lenses are sensitive souls; they fog up, and over time, that moisture can lead to lens separation or degrade the lens coatings. A dry cabinet ensures your lenses stay clear and functional longer.
- Resale Value: Should you ever decide to upgrade or sell your gear, having stored it in a dry cabinet means you can confidently say it's been kept in optimal conditions. This could be the difference between selling it "like new" versus "well, it's seen some humidity."
- Convenience: Instead of playing the "will my gear fog up today" game every time you transition from an air-conditioned space to the great outdoors, a dry cabinet helps your gear acclimate gradually.
- The Humor Angle: Think of a dry cabinet like a spa for your camera. Just as humans go to dry saunas to sweat out impurities, your camera goes into a dry cabinet to keep itself pristine. Only, instead of sweating, it's doing the opposite – staying impeccably dry. And let's be honest, telling fellow photographers you store your gear in a dry cabinet might just give you that air of a pro, or at least someone who takes their gear's health as seriously as a sommelier takes wine storage.
So, for the sake of your camera's health, your peace of mind, and perhaps a bit of gear snobbery (all in good fun, of course), a dry cabinet in Salem's climate isn't just recommended; it's almost as essential as a good raincover for your camera bag.
I live in SE Texas where we wake up to 80 degree sunrises at 80% humidity all summer, but the air is fairly dry the other three seasons. I don't use a "dry" cabinet as we run the air conditioner constantly, which pulls water out of the air. My house is typically 45- 55% humidity during air conditioning season and about the same in the cooler weather.
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