Silica gel...

NorthstaNder · 4 Jul 2007 at 21:30

good idea to keep a couple of packets of silica gel in my camera bag, or doesn't it make any difference either way?

(sorry for random question, but i got a new bag today and thought maybe i'd keep the silica gel in it)

Messiah Khan · 4 Jul 2007 at 21:33

Doubt it will make any difference at all tbh.

J1234 · 4 Jul 2007 at 21:37

I do, just incase my camera bag gets a bit of water in it for some reason, don't want a damaged camera.

danza · 4 Jul 2007 at 21:49

I think it's a good idea. It can help prevent moisture turning into nasties like strange fungal beasts. I have (or did last time I looked) a sachet living in my camera bag.

TheAlex · 4 Jul 2007 at 21:53

Mmmmmmmmmmm, silica gel...

tom_e · 4 Jul 2007 at 21:57

TheAlex said:
Mmmmmmmmmmm, silica gel...

theres a reason it says do not eat

J1234 · 4 Jul 2007 at 22:03

blitz2163 said:
theres a reason it says do not eat

But when it says that it always looks so much more tasty

Messiah Khan · 4 Jul 2007 at 22:06

But surely silica gel can only soak up small amounts of moisture, much smaller than you would get if the bag got wet from rain etc. Im not saying its a bad idea, I just don't see it as being very effective. All weather covers however are very usefull.

Nicos Rex · 5 Jul 2007 at 10:59

Little point in putting silica gel in a camera bag - it has a limited ability to absorb moisture and the bag will not be airtight enough so the natural circulation of air from the outside will very quickly saturate it.

In a flight bag or other hard case it is a different matter. In the case where my 'Blad lives, there is a 35mm film canister with some tiny holes drilled in it containing the contents of a couple of sachets of silica gel. Every once in a while this gel is "rejuvenated" by being warmed gently in a very low oven (the temerature is low, the height above ground is not relevant).