Lens storage and mould

Hi Everyone
I recently lost a lens to internal mould.
It was a Canon EF 28-135, not the best in the world but I'd secured a good sharp copy.
Fortunately it wasn't an expensive item, it wasn't weather sealed and it was a bit of a bike pump when zooming.
I'm now paranoid about my other lenses which are mainly L series plus a few lesser specified models
Due to a recent plumbing problem I've had no water or heating for 6 weeks and although I got it back on today the house was beginning to exhibit a 'fusty' smell
My hygrometer is reading 70% - Is this too high
I also placed a cheap dehumidifier canister in my lens cupboard and was concerned that it had collected some water ( https://www.therange.c​o.uk …erior-dehumidifier#664591)
I live in a large house and rattle around in one corner, and I can't afford to heat the place fully in winter (probably because I spend too much on lenses )
Should I buy a proper heated lens cabinet. They cost from about £250 - cheaper than losing half a dozen good lenses.

Any experts on the subject please chip in

Bob

Given that you have already lost one lens to mould I would say that a cabinet would be a good idea. Of course you could just fill a cupboard with silica gel desiccant but the problem with that is that it is inconstant over time. At the start it may remove too much moisture - ideally cameras should be stored at between 40-55% relative humidity - and over time become saturated and the RH will increase outside the preferred range. Obviously you could buy something to measure he RH and adjust accordingly and you can refresh saturated gel however that means a bit of messing about. A cabinet will store your equipment at a consistent level over time.

I've bought a more accurate RH meter and I'm running 66%. I've also ordered a small lens cab to try and if it works I'll go for a bigger one. Another concern is I'm susceptible to Pleurisy and Pneumonia and over past 3 months I've been fighting the symptoms without much success. Seems I have a hostile local microclimate going on here.

Lens mold is everywhere. Every lens you have is filed with it. It's impossible to eliminate. However, it required several items to grow, a food source, moisture, temperature. You give it those three items and the mold will grow. The food source is the coatings on the lens and there is little you can do about that. So control the temperature and moisture. Silica gel packets are next to useless unless you put it in a sealed environment with a freshly charged packet and don't open it. An equipment cabinet is the easiest and most practical way to control the humidity. Amazon has quite a few are reasonable cost.

Lens Cab has sorted the issue and they are basking away in RH41%
Also tried a large plastic sealable cake container with dessicant cannister and that's running at RH15% which is far too low as it's not regulated.
Got the house down to 57% and I'm a lot healthier.
Read up on humidity and feeling enriched by the whole event.

Happy New Year

Glad to hear it. Best wishes for a mould free new year.