Here’s an email I received today from a friend based on Ishigaki (one of Okinawa’s southern islands).

I’ve just discovered the power of Ishigaki’s mould. I left my favorite  macro lens out on the desk for about 2 weeks….every day I told myself that I should pack it away before it gets mouldy. I finally got around it to and guess what – inner element completely smeared with mould which looks like it might have cut into the glass. How stupid. Lesson learned. I really need to get some dry-storage, especially as I’m about to buy a nice Tokina 11-16mm wide lens which I really don’t want to suffer the same fate.

Mould is a serious problem in Okinawa, especially during rainy season. Lenses and film are particularly vulnerable. A mouldy lens can be sent to a specialist for cleaning but more than likely the mould will have etched itself into the coatings and a repair will be more than the cost of the lens. I imagine mould could easily create havoc on a digital sensor.

The cheap solution is to store your gear in an airtight container along with desiccants and fungicide. Regularly replace or recharge the desiccants so that the humidity is always controlled.

A far better option if you are living in (rather than just traveling through) a humid area is to purchase a dehumidifier cabinet. These work similar to a refrigerator except they keep the interior at a constant humidity. I have three large cabinets, two filled with transparencies and one filled with camera equipment.

Dry cabinets are available at most camera stores in Okinawa, however, they’re cheaper and there’s a better selection at Amazon.co.jp. It’s not just photographers who need them, in many offices in Okinawa computer discs and electronics are also stored in these cabinets.

A final tip is that you should get out in the sun and use your gear. A good dose of sunshine will help combat the growth of mould, and there’s no point having a camera if you don’t get out there are take some pictures.