The Journey Continues…

I’ve been planning to buy a drybox for a long time, drybox is essential to keep photography gears free from fungi and other harmful elements.

I was particularly got concerned about my gears last Monday, we covered Brad & Charo’s wedding at Josephine’s Restaurant in Tagaytay City, it was raining hard and my bag got wet on the way home.

This time of the year is very critical for gears, rain tends to bring mist and moisture to the gears that might cause the dreaded fungus build-up on the lenses and camera.

Thanks to the forumers at PiPho for giving me an idea on how to make a do-it-yoursef (DIY) Dry Box.


The cheapest drybox that would fit all my gears would costs about P2,500.00, for this project it costs me less than a thousand pesos.

First, I bought a Biokips 11.6 liter Airtight Container from SM Dasmariñas, the popular choice would be a Lock & Lock (brand) but Biokips are on sale and Lock & Lock only have 10 liter type while Biokips is an 11.6 liter. Both regularly costs P990, I got the Biokips P770 after discount.

Next thing I need is a hygrometer to keep track of the humidity level inside the box, some hygrometer costs about P300 for the analog type and P600 – P800 for digital. I got this el-cheapo hygrometer from Japan Home Surplus shop in Robinson’s Dasma for P88. I just hope that it works!

Next on the list is a non-slip mat, it’s optional, it’s sole purpose is to keep the gears from slipping while inside the box especially while transporting it. Also from Japan Home Surplus shop for P88, I need only about a foot, the roll (on my estimate) is about 20 feet, got to find a way to use those excess mat.

Total cost P946 plus transpo, I’d say about a thousand in total. I don’t need to buy silica gels since I already have some, it will last me for the next 6 months or so.

That’s it, a drybox that costs less than half of the commercially available drybox in the market, this will lasts for a long time unless I decide to go for a dry cabinet instead.