Silica dessicant in the bag?

[TSSPro]

I keep them in my camera bags and in my fridge/freezer to keep it from frosting up as easily. I have the big bags that are marketed for divers and diving equipment. They havent failed me yet.

All the best-

[imokruok]

There are desiccants available that B&H and elsewhere that come in tiny tubes, and they'll turn pink once they're saturated. I have a bag of them and throw one in my bag when I travel for 1-2 weeks at a time. I figure it might help a little, but they're always pink by the end of the 2 weeks, usually much much sooner especially if it's damp or raining where I go.

Otherwise, everything of mine goes into a drybox at home, bags and all, with a desiccant inside. I got a clear storage tub from the Container Store that is meant for damp basements, I put a large desiccant inside, and measure it with a $10 digital humidor gauge.

[Worker 11811]

You can buy bulk silica gel at many websites or stores.

Hollinger Metal Edge is a company that sells museum and archival supplies: http://hollingermetaledge.com/module...rchname=silica

Craft stores like A.C. Moore sell silica gel for drying flowers for use in craft projects: http://www.acmoore.com/p-30088-silic...ound-bag-.aspx

I use the craft store variety. It's cheaper by a factor of four.

I get small plastic drinking cups and fill them about half way. Then I cover with a paper coffee filter and secure with a rubber band. Everything is sealed inside metal ammo boxes with tight fitting gasket lids.

I figure one or two cups full of silica inside an ammo box, depending on size, will protect me from almost anything short of a flood or fire. Right?

[bblhed]

I keep silica packs in the case with my Nikonos, the case is water tight, and I am never sure the camera is 100% dry when I put it away. As for changing the packets out, whenever I get my hands on a few new packs I toss them in and take out the old ones.

[Worker 11811]

You can bake silica gel in the oven at 225º-250ºF for about 30 minutes and it will rejuvenate.

Obviously, take it out of any plastic bags or containers before baking.
It's probably okay to leave it in paper packages if you are sure it is paper and you are careful to keep away from direct contact with heating elements, etc.

[darkprints]

I bought the 2 lb. bulk indicating beads from:

http://www.silicagelpackets.com/