STVest Loc: LA - that's Lower Alabama

Please set me straight on these issues. I know that’s a tall order, but I appreciate any effort you may make.

There were some recent threads concerning our cameras and their temperature tolerances. I paid attention to these threads because I live on the Gulf Coast and am concerned about the dangers of high heat and humidity.

On two nights this past week I went outside to do some shooting. I let my camera sit out of doors for 30 or 40 minutes before I started shooting. The lens was no longer fogged, but I was constantly using a towel to wipe the condensation off of the camera and lens body. Typical of a summer night in lower Alabama.

Today I noticed a thread about Canon 60D vs 70D. I have a 60D. I read the thread to see how sick I might be for having not waited a few months to purchase a camera. (Of course, I’m not sick about it. What else would I have done these past months?) On the thread there was a link to a comparison. For the first time ever, I noticed that my camera is “water sealed”. Does this feature of the camera mitigate the humidity dangers?

I’m thinking not as condensation would be occurring within the camera body. If that is the case, does it help to make your lens changes in the low humidity indoors before going outside and also trying to avoid making any lens changes while outside. And, would it be beneficial to remove the lens from the camera for a period of time after coming back inside to allow any internal moisture to escape?

There’s more! The information said that “weather sealed” made it possible to shoot even in the rain. Okay. For the camera. What about the lenses?

I appreciate any advice and comments.

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

Weather sealed typically does not mean weather proof unless you have one of these http://petapixel.com/2012/07/09/us-soldier-shows-off-the-hardcore-dust-and-weather-sealing-of-his-2-pentax-slrs

Other information that may help http://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3029093
http://www.neocamera.com/article/weathersealed_dslrs
http://forums.cnet.com/7723-7593_102-315389/how-important-is-weather-sealing
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/find/newsLetter/Tuff-DSLS.jsp
http://www.dcresource.com/forums/showthread.php?33604-Weathersealing-Important-or-Not

This may be something you can find too http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/77243737/dust-donuttm-add-a-weather-seal-to-the-mount-of-an

STVest Loc: LA - that's Lower Alabama

St3v3M -- thanks for the links. Looks like I have some reading to do off the Hog. I haven't looked at any of them yet, but I suspect the "weather proof" requirements will be extreme. I wouldn't shoot in a downpour, but at least (maybe) I don't need to panic if it starts to spit rain or drizzle while I am shooting.

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

While at Yosemite recently I hiked to the top of Vernal Falls taking the 'Rainbow Trail'. At one point I put my rain jacket on, but earlier I took a gallon size ziplock bag, cut a small hole in the bottom and placed my camera and lens inside. I pushed the lens into the hole and let it naturally make the hole just big enough for the lens to fit. Once pushed through I screwed the lens hood over the plastic sealing the bag to the lens and camera. With my hand inside it was a little tight, but worked like a charm. A bigger bag would have made it easier, but that is what I had on hand and it saved my camera from a serious downpour. On the side there are commercially available rain covers for not much money. Cheap insurance!

STVest Loc: LA - that's Lower Alabama

Again, thanks. Here, rain can pop up out of nowhere, even while the sun shines bright. So carrying a cover in my bag would be a smart thing to do.

The humidity is my major concern. I've read that mold growing inside the camera or a lens is an incurable and contagious cancer!

Erik_H Loc: Denham Springs, Louisiana

Living in south Louisiana, I have the same concerns. My D7000 is weather sealed, but like you, I worry about the lenses. I'll be watching this thread closely. Thanks for bringing it up.

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

Placing some silica packages in you camera bag can help.

STVest Loc: LA - that's Lower Alabama

Yes, I don't think anyone that doesn't live in the deep south can truly understand. I was born and raised in KY and thought I knew what high humidity was. In KY, there is high humidity -- but not consistently for 11 1/2 months of the year.

STVest Loc: LA - that's Lower Alabama

Done it. Got 'em in the camera bag and all of its accessory pockets and in each lens bag. Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean the dampness demons aren't out to get me.

Fearing that the water sealing will hold the condensation inside the camera and lens even more effectively than it will hold the rain out.

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

Lived in the Philippines for a stint. Wet. Can't be too safe!

STVest Loc: LA - that's Lower Alabama

One of my uncles was stationed in Panama for several years. He talked about having to use "dry boxes" for food storage. I suppose in the Philippines, too?

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

Shower, dry off, dry off again then just deal with it.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

here is a list of Nikons weather-sealed lenses. The sheer number of them might surprise you.
http://www.bodzashphotoastro.blogspot.com.au/2013/03/updated-complete-list-of-weather-sealed.html

Erik_H Loc: Denham Springs, Louisiana

Mt,
Thanks for the list. You're right, I was surprised at how many are on it. I'm sure that others will be glad to see it as well.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

The 60D is really not weather sealed despite what you might have read. It does have a bit more sealing than the Rebel models, but less sealing than the 7D and far less sealing then the 5D III and the 1DX. Interestingly I've read a few posts of owners who had buttons on the 60D fail just from the introduction of sweat! Only lenses on the high end the Canon range are dust and moisture sealed. For Canon, that's the L lens range, and not even all of them have weather sealing. I would strongly advise you not to use the 60D in the rain without a covering of some sort.