got drenched on assignment - advice for wet equipment
May 28, 2015 22:21:54 #
Hi all,
I just returned from shooting a graduation assignment and they didn't call it off until the skies had let loose. I was shooting with my new D7100 and my SB910 on a bracket with brand new sync cord and it took me some time to unhook everything and get it under cover. I also had another camera bag with me that got soaked with my D5100, 4 other lenses and my SB-600 along with my Houdman loupe. Agh!!!! I could just strangle the principal who had absolutely no consideration for us (photographers), the graduates sitting on metal chairs or the parents, grandparents, etc, sitting in the metal bleachers as the sky darkened and rumbled.
Has anyone heard of putting equipment in ziploc bags of rice to help dry out any inside parts that I may be wet but I can't tell? The lenses were in their individual lens cloth bags inside the Lowepro sling but all the bags were wet.
Everything may be ok but I'm concerned about internal damage from being in those moist bags for a few hours until I got home.
Thanks for any advice you may have to offer.
Donna
I just returned from shooting a graduation assignment and they didn't call it off until the skies had let loose. I was shooting with my new D7100 and my SB910 on a bracket with brand new sync cord and it took me some time to unhook everything and get it under cover. I also had another camera bag with me that got soaked with my D5100, 4 other lenses and my SB-600 along with my Houdman loupe. Agh!!!! I could just strangle the principal who had absolutely no consideration for us (photographers), the graduates sitting on metal chairs or the parents, grandparents, etc, sitting in the metal bleachers as the sky darkened and rumbled.
Has anyone heard of putting equipment in ziploc bags of rice to help dry out any inside parts that I may be wet but I can't tell? The lenses were in their individual lens cloth bags inside the Lowepro sling but all the bags were wet.
Everything may be ok but I'm concerned about internal damage from being in those moist bags for a few hours until I got home.
Thanks for any advice you may have to offer.
Donna
May 28, 2015 22:42:59 #
Get some good sized Ziploc bags and put a lot of rice in them with pieces of equipment.
Use multiple bags so the rice has a greater chance of removing any moisture instead of everything in one.
Rice and bags are cheap, not your equipment.
Sarge69
Use multiple bags so the rice has a greater chance of removing any moisture instead of everything in one.
Rice and bags are cheap, not your equipment.
Sarge69
May 28, 2015 22:58:16 #
sarge69 wrote:
Get some good sized Ziploc bags and put a lot of rice in them with pieces of equipment.
Use multiple bags so the rice has a greater chance of removing any moisture instead of everything in one.
Rice and bags are cheap, not your equipment.
Sarge69
Use multiple bags so the rice has a greater chance of removing any moisture instead of everything in one.
Rice and bags are cheap, not your equipment.
Sarge69
Thanks, Sarge! Does it matter what kind of rice? I'm thinking converted rice because it's not as crumbly as....say....minute rice.
May 28, 2015 23:14:04 #
May 28, 2015 23:27:25 #
May 28, 2015 23:42:22 #
sarge69 wrote:
Real rice. None of that instant crapola.
Sarge69
Sarge69
Gottcha! Thanks!
May 29, 2015 05:50:04 #
The rice works, I used it on my BB phone after it went through the wash.
Now it seems that the principal is not the only one who is guilty. If you saw the rain coming, why didn't you pack up your equipment early. Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me. I have upper end equipment, they are not water proof but do stand up to a good amount of rain and moisture. I have shot out in bad weather and have not had a problem. D800, D700 and all the high end lens including the Trinity.
Now it seems that the principal is not the only one who is guilty. If you saw the rain coming, why didn't you pack up your equipment early. Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me. I have upper end equipment, they are not water proof but do stand up to a good amount of rain and moisture. I have shot out in bad weather and have not had a problem. D800, D700 and all the high end lens including the Trinity.
May 29, 2015 07:01:45 #
The decision to expose your equipment to the rain was yours. Strangle the principal?
May 29, 2015 07:38:49 #
donnahde wrote:
Hi all, br br I just returned from shooting a gra... (show quote)
Rice works well at absorbing moisture but any rice can introduce dust. For your camera body I suggest this:
Remove the battery, card, and lens. Place the camera in your refrigerator overnight in a spot where it gets good air flow. Refrigerated air is extremely dry and will soak up any moisture. Don't put it in the freezer. That will simply freeze the moisture, not remove it. Put a large ziplock bag in the fridge with it. Don't put the camera in it until you are ready to remove it from the fridge. Put it in the bag and seal it Before removal. Let it warm up to room temp before taking it out of the bag. Contrary to what many people think, the refrigerator will not produce moisture on items. The temperature differential when you remove it into warmer air causes condensation on the cold surfaces, hence the bag until it warms up.
May 29, 2015 08:41:09 #
Kmgw9v wrote:
The decision to expose your equipment to the rain was yours. Strangle the principal?
The decision was not mine. I was one of the photographers on assignment with my company. The decision was ultimately the lead photographer's (who did tell us to RUN) but we were obligated to the school to cover this graduation. So yes, the principal endangered all of us (AND his students and the parents) and our equipment by continuing beyond what was safe and having no back up plan. Of course I wouldn't "strangle" him. That was just an expression of my exasperation with his leadership since now the next day my camera bags are still too damp to use for my two assignments today. I just put them outside. Hopefully they'll be ready in a few hours or I'll have to wrap all my equipment in plastic before I put it in.
May 29, 2015 08:42:34 #
LFingar wrote:
Rice works well at absorbing moisture but any rice... (show quote)
Very interesting, Lfingar. Hope I never have to try that. I think I'll be ok. Camera equipment seems to be ok now after careful cleaning and all night airing. Decided not to go with the rice. Thanks.
May 29, 2015 08:43:53 #
Bobbee wrote:
The rice works, I used it on my BB phone after it ... (show quote)
Thanks for letting me know about the rice working, Bobbee. In response to the rest of your comments please see my response to Kmgw9v.
May 29, 2015 08:48:45 #
Dyeager
Loc: Michigan
I may have an advantage over some of you since I do heating and refrigeration. If you know any refrigeration techs go talk to them. I made a box to put my gear in that I can hook a vacuum pump . When you place things that are wet int a vacuum the negative pressure will boil the water out very quickly. I've taken a cell phone dropped in a river from soaked to dry and working in less than an hour, this lets any water only sit in your equipment for a very short period of time. I've used this on cell phones, cameras and laptops. The biggest thing is removing the power source as soon as possible to avoid shorting any electronics out
May 29, 2015 08:56:17 #
fstops1957
Loc: New Hampshire
The same school probably has a policy for thunderstorms occuring at sporting events. This is NH's policy:
WHEN YOU FIRST HEAR THUNDER OR SEE LIGHTING, SUSPEND ACTIVITIES
AND GO TO A SAFE SHELTER OR LOCATION. IF YOU CAN SEE IT (LIGHTNING), FLEE IT (TAKE SHELTER). IF YOU CAN HEAR IT (THUNDER) CLEAR IT (SUSPENDACTIVITIES). WAIT UNTIL 30 MINUTES AFTER THE LAST OBSERVED LIGHTNING OR THUNDER BEFORE RESUMING ACTIVITIES.
The principal probably should have abided by similiar policy.
As for your gear I have shot with most of my Nikons in the rain and simply towel things off afterward. Don't disassemble equipment while it is still wet and don't put it back in your cases as the moisture will transfer.
WHEN YOU FIRST HEAR THUNDER OR SEE LIGHTING, SUSPEND ACTIVITIES
AND GO TO A SAFE SHELTER OR LOCATION. IF YOU CAN SEE IT (LIGHTNING), FLEE IT (TAKE SHELTER). IF YOU CAN HEAR IT (THUNDER) CLEAR IT (SUSPENDACTIVITIES). WAIT UNTIL 30 MINUTES AFTER THE LAST OBSERVED LIGHTNING OR THUNDER BEFORE RESUMING ACTIVITIES.
The principal probably should have abided by similiar policy.
As for your gear I have shot with most of my Nikons in the rain and simply towel things off afterward. Don't disassemble equipment while it is still wet and don't put it back in your cases as the moisture will transfer.
May 29, 2015 09:00:07 #
fstops1957 wrote:
The same school probably has a policy for thunders... (show quote)
Yes, fstops1957, that is EXACTLY the policy when we shoot sports for the schools. Hence, my comment about wanting to "strangle" this principal for his idiocy. And thanks for your other advice. So far so good.
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