August 4th, 2010 
Bryan Chung After much reading about care for DSLR cameras, I decided I had to buy a proper shelter for my Canon 550D. I considered from the expensive dry cabinet to a normal dry box to the cheap D.I.Y storage box. Although the best option was to get the expensive dry cabinet, it was too expensive for me. Even though there are those just over a hundred dollar which I did seriously consider but because I realised another factor to why I cannot buy that. Because I do not have space in my room to put that cabinet. So I ended up looking for the cheap D.I.Y storage box. That is using a Lock & Lock box and buying silica gel to absorb the moist and finally buying a gyrometer to monitor the humidity inside the box. However after calculating the cost of all those 3 products I need to D.I.Y a box, it was not cheap after all.
Then I was in Challenger computer store when I spotted this dry box. It has all that a proper storage box would need, including the silica gel and the hygrometer, all for just $25! The size of the box was 10L, just nice to put my 1 camera with 2 lenses. I was quite reluctant to buy in the first place because the box had no brand or anything. And it was really dusty as though it has been there for years. But when I came home and check, I realised it was from the famous brand of camera storage products – Digi-Cabi!
The box now maintains the humidity at 42%. Highest when I open the box, it will jump to 52%. But it does drop after a while and can drop below 40% while being above 30%. So I am happy to have got this dry box! :)
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where did you brought this dry box from?
I stated in the blog. It was from Challenger computer stores. :)
I am also thinking of buying the Digi Cabi Dry box but i worry that it is not user friendly. Can u briefly tell how u set up for your dry box and how long can the Silica gel last??
Setup? There’s nothing to setup besides having to maintain the silica gel. Well the gel that came with the package seem to turn pink very fast. Maybe because of how long it has been displayed on shelve. But after a couple of times reheating in the microwave, it is still alright to use. Anyway I’ve bought a bottle of new silica gel and ready to change anytime. So it’s pretty fine. :)
May i know the bottle of silica gel u brought, are already in room temperature rite? don need to reheat it after refilling into the silica bag?
The bottle of silica gel can be bought from Challenger too. About $6.90. And yes in room temperature. If anytime the gel turns to pink, there’s no harm to just reheat it. The whole container holding the gel can be microwave. :)
Ic problem is i don own a microwave that why i looking for shop that sell silica that is already in room temperature so that i don need to reheat it. Straight away can use
Oh I see. :)
Hi Brian, thanks for sharing. This come in so handy as I am also looking for one. Can I know which Challenger branch did you get it from?
Thanks.
vivocity challenger :)
Hi Bryan, while searching in Yahoo “Where to buy a camera dry box”, I found your blog sharing this Digi-Dry box. And thank you for sharing. I managed to get one exactly the same as yours from Alan Photo #01-38 from Sim Lim Sq @ $25. So far, it is maintain about slightly below 40%. Am really great you share this stuff. In addition, I also bought a Canon Selphy Photo Printer at $110 and $32 for 108 photo paper + ink cartridge. The printout is great and is worth investing. You might want to try it, in case you might need it. Cheers.
Glad you found my post helpful! :)
Bryan,
Thanks so much for the info on Digi Dry Box as am planning to puechase one (1) for my 500D and 3 lenses.
Best regards and GOD BLESS.
Gil
Hi, what setting should we use for reheating the silica gel?
I set my microwave to Power 10 and heat it for 1 minute. Repeating the process, sometimes twice or three times.
Thanks Bryan. works perfectly! humidity is between 40 – 42%..
Hi i have the same drybox it was given to me free when i bought my DSLR but i never heat the silicon thing because i was afraid that after heating in my microwave, i cant use the microwave for food anymore….can i still use it for food? Like the silicon thingy wont emit some harmful gases or what? LOL. HAHA
Haha! Actually I never consider about that factor. But it should be fine right? Haha! :D
hiii bryan….i am a begineer and try to buy a dslr…can u give me some comment….i now looking for at nikon D3100 cost me $899 …and sony a290 cost me $699….u think which one should i go for… and if i buy nikon ….i just paid $199 for the AF-S 55-200 mm lens..is it ok….and bout the dry box…izitt i need to reheat the silica gel always….please i need your opinion today….u know IT fair…
Hey Bryan thanks for posting much info on it. Digi Dry Box is certainlty not as popular as Digi Dry Cabinets. Thats why there is so little information about it. Have u replaced the Silica Gel with new ones already?
I’ve just bought the Digi Dry Box and my Siligel Gel Pack is already pink. After heating in the microwave for many many minutes multiple times, it finally turned blue!
U mentioned that they constantly turn pink again too. Do I constantly have to maintain it via the microwave? Or do u force open the plastic pack and replace the Silica Gel yourself?
Yeah I’ve replaced a few times already. And yes it does turn pink quite often (well it’s a box after all that we open and close). :) And yes, I do maintain it via microwave then after too many times, i replace it with new gel.
Yes I open the plastic pack too. :)
Cool. How often do u reheat them and how often do u change the silica gel? Btw I just realised that 30-40% ain’t too good u know! Mine’s going below 30 and I’m trying to get the humidity back to the recommended levels. I read somewhere that if it is too dry the lens coating will also dry up, leaving the lens exposed to the elements.
The recommended humidity is 40-50% according to http://www.digihub.com.sg/faq.htm.
Yup you are correct. 40-50% is good. :) How often? Whenever it goes above 55% range I heat it again. :P
“… and finally buying a gyrometer to monitor the humidity …”
Did you want to mean HYGROMETER? A Hygrometer is used for measuring the moisture content in the environmental air, or humidity (preferably relative). On the other hand a Gyrometer (or gyroscope) is a device used for measuring orientation along one or several axis or yaw rate.
BTW, thanks for the DIY.
Haha nice one Indranil! Thanks for the spelling mistake! :P
Hi Bryan,
I’ve just gotten myself a Olympus EPL2 not long ago and some of my friend suggesting met to get a dry box as I only use mine for maybe 1-2x a week?
On the other hand I also have my old s90 which I hardly use too and same, I was told to keep it in the dry box to maintain it.
But I’m not sure if I shld invest in it. Is a dry box necessary?
Thanks
Yeah in fact cameras that you do not used often should keep in dry box, is better. Those you bring out to use more, it’s still not so bad as the weather or sun ray can kill any bacterial or fungus that can grow in camera. Best is to bring your cameras though an x-ray machine to kill them all! Haha! :D
hey. i gt the same dry box for free. but the hydrometer’s at 70. im also kinda afraid to reheat it. u gt any idea where to get the silica gel to replace?
Hi Wei Ting! :) Erm, 70 is rather high. There is actually no worries in reheating it in the microwave. But anyway you can get silica gel from any camera shop. Or maybe even Challenger has it. Should not be hard to find. :)
its in gel format usually? or its like solid bits in the silicia boxy thing we had? oh ya. are u able to adjust the the hydrometer to the right percentage? or it all depends on the sillica gel and will adjust itself automatically?
Solid round bits that we have. :) Yeah it’s about how good the silicia is that will control the hydrometer. :) You are correct. :) And of course, don’t always open and close the box unnecessarily. :)
hey thanks!
er i dunno where to reply the one u asked haha. would like to but im damn anti social though hahah! be friends in fb first!
Oh Facebook. Haha sure. Why so anti-social? Alright shall not chat here. Will try add you up! :)
Hi,
I came across your blog and found that i had the same drybox. I just bought it at TK Foto @ $22 .. But the humidity is always at 60% and i don’t even dare to place my dslr in. So i went to buy thirsty hippo and it works, but my humidity becomes 30%. It’s really hard to maintain at 40-50%. May i know how long do you often check your drybox? And what can I do now?
Thanks.