Stupid Question?
Jun 27, 2016 09:31:29 #
Okay, this is either an intelligent concern on my part, or that one question that proves there are in fact "STUPID QUESTIONS".
My loving spouse is keeping the house a bit more air conditioned than I feel is necessary, file that under keeping wife happy and such is life. This situation is NOT under my ability to change. However, when I trek out with the camera and lenses I cannot take photos for several minutes until the warm to ambient temperature, and stop collecting condensation from the hot and humid air. Besides patience, is there a solution?
I don't want to leave them in the auto, as over-night auto breakins are all too popular here in Lexington Ky. I am thinking of storing Amy camera body and lenses in the house in zip lock bags, dry air, to limit condensation problem as I take my stuff out. Surely, I am not the first to notice this "problem".
Please guide me, or congratulate me for finding THE PROOF THAT THERE ARE STUPID QUESTIONS!
My loving spouse is keeping the house a bit more air conditioned than I feel is necessary, file that under keeping wife happy and such is life. This situation is NOT under my ability to change. However, when I trek out with the camera and lenses I cannot take photos for several minutes until the warm to ambient temperature, and stop collecting condensation from the hot and humid air. Besides patience, is there a solution?
I don't want to leave them in the auto, as over-night auto breakins are all too popular here in Lexington Ky. I am thinking of storing Amy camera body and lenses in the house in zip lock bags, dry air, to limit condensation problem as I take my stuff out. Surely, I am not the first to notice this "problem".
Please guide me, or congratulate me for finding THE PROOF THAT THERE ARE STUPID QUESTIONS!
Jun 27, 2016 09:41:57 #
Zip-lock bags are not a bad answer. Perhaps others have a more elegant suggestion. You might consider adding a pouch of dessicant material, such as those often packed with electronic gear, to absorb moisture.
Jun 27, 2016 09:43:31 #
UXOEOD wrote:
...... limit condensation problem as I take my stuff out. ...!
when you go out, leave your gear in the bag until it has warmed up.
Jun 27, 2016 09:46:31 #
Here in the HOT HOT Chicago area, I run into this problem in the summers, just going from my air conditioned car to the humid, warmer house. I wait the 15 minutes it takes to clear up while I'm going through turning on lights and turning off ceiling fans (and hiding dog bowls).
Jun 27, 2016 09:49:34 #
Condensation on and in a lens/camera combination occurs when there is enough of a difference in temperature between moist air outside and your gear.
The cool surfaces of your lens elements and camera body will cause the water vapor in the air contacting it to immediately condense into liquid water. (Think glass of ice water on a countertop. After a short time, it starts to "sweat". THIS is what happens to your lens.)
You can avoid this problem by slowly allowing the temperature of your gear to equalize with the surrounding air temperature. Just leave your stuff exposed to that warm air for a few minutes and the condensation is gone. If that means taking your camera out about 10 minutes before you are ready to shoot, that's what you'll have to do.
GOOD LUCK!
The cool surfaces of your lens elements and camera body will cause the water vapor in the air contacting it to immediately condense into liquid water. (Think glass of ice water on a countertop. After a short time, it starts to "sweat". THIS is what happens to your lens.)
You can avoid this problem by slowly allowing the temperature of your gear to equalize with the surrounding air temperature. Just leave your stuff exposed to that warm air for a few minutes and the condensation is gone. If that means taking your camera out about 10 minutes before you are ready to shoot, that's what you'll have to do.
GOOD LUCK!
Jun 27, 2016 09:54:36 #
My first thought, like that of the first two responses, was the zip lock bag with desiccant packs. But, since the equipment will still be colder than the outside air, I fear that might not be the perfect solution. Is it possible for you to store your gear in the warmest part of your house - possibly near your hot water heater?
Hopefully, you will find a solution. When you do, please let us know what it is.
Hopefully, you will find a solution. When you do, please let us know what it is.
Jun 27, 2016 10:02:52 #
A few minutes before you go out use a hair dryer to warm your camera and lenses. Do NOT hold the hair dryer too close to your equipment. You do not want to make the camera and lenses hot. You just want to make the camera warm. Practice one or two times and you will have it. Lynn Sumerson
Jun 27, 2016 10:04:04 #
Jun 27, 2016 10:06:52 #
foathog wrote:
Get a divorce.
I did that previously. Actually worked quite well, the Ex got all my gear so I didn't have to face those pestie problems. But damn, I am so very satisfied with my new gear.....and the new wife!
Thanks for the deep consideration and thoughts.
Jun 27, 2016 10:08:25 #
The moisture that collects on your cold camera comes from the outside air. You need some way to keep your camera dry and warm in the house. If it is low humidity in the house you might warm the camera to the outside temperature with a heating pad before you go out. If your camera is the same temperature as the outside air you shouldn't get the condensation. OR you could store your camera in an air tight box with a desiccant in the garage.
Jun 27, 2016 10:11:14 #
Jun 27, 2016 10:13:14 #
Nikonhermit
Loc: In This Place
There are only two solutions, both of which involve allowing the equipment to come up to the outside temperature. The first, as many readers suggest, is to simply allow a warm-up period of about 15 minutes or so with the gadget bag still closed. The second is to leave the gadget bag in a non-air conditioned part of the house, or even in the car's trunk the night before. The latter method means that the equipment may sit in a more humid location overnight. If that is a worry, you can put a large bag of desiccant inside the gadget bag. When it is time to leave, enclose this desiccant in a couple of Zip-lok bags and leave it in the house. Many desiccants, through not all, can be reactivated in the oven. Once or twice a year is usually enough.
Jun 27, 2016 10:14:18 #
Nikonhermit
Loc: In This Place
I would be concerned about the possibility, however remote, of cracking a front lens element because of the sudden expansion.
Jun 27, 2016 10:22:26 #
I kind of like the idea of the heating pad. Doesn't get so hot as quick as the hair dryer. Some of those hair dryers get pretty hot very quickly. However, by the time the heating pad warms up the camera, you probably could have just taken the camera outside and let it warm up. Interesting discussion. Have a GREAT DAY!
Jun 27, 2016 10:39:48 #
get an air/moisture proof ammunition box. They are cheap.
Then put some desiccant material in also as a safeguard.
A Pelican case would do also but are expensive.
Then put some desiccant material in also as a safeguard.
A Pelican case would do also but are expensive.
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