senad55verizon.net Loc: Milford, NJ

It's still winter, even if it's a mild one. Been musing recently about what to do to prevent condensation when cold cameras and lenses are brought into a warm, humid house.

Best I can think of is a large sealable plastic bag containing Drierite or some other water absorbent. Pop your gear into the bag while outside and don't take it out 'til the temperature equilibrates indoors.

Any better ideas?

photophly Loc: Old Bridge NJ

If you carry a camera bag....leave the equipment in the bag when you enter the house ..... wait until the temp. equalizes before taking your camera out of the bag.This will help to prevent the dreaded condensation build up.

Falcon Loc: Abilene, Texas

I think you have it spot on! Warm air can hold more moisture than can cold air so the idea is to prevent the cold camera gear from from being in direct contact with the warmer (moisture-laden) air inside. Once the cameras gear has warmed up to room temp (or close) it will no longer cause the moisture in the warm air to condense on it. To a lesser degree, the inverse problem can exist if you are going from a very air conditioned house to a very humid outdoors. People who wear glasses and walk out of a mall in Florida often see a graphic demonstration of this effect.
BTW, you don't need any drying agent in the bag. There will be no moisture inside the bag if you put the bag over the equipment before you go into a warmer area.

drobdiver Loc: Niantic, CT

That is a classic for taking underwater photos in the tropics. One loads the camera in the cool confines of the condo/motel/stateroom and then goes out into the warm beach/underwater. In most cases, a renewed dessicant pack (renew by heating in microwave or oven) placed inside the housing helps immeasurably.

AdkHiker Loc: Northeast

I use a camera bag...in addition yo that when I leave the house I leave a fair size cloth cooler on the porch (or the car). When I return I remove the memory card and place the camera (in its bag) in the cooler and bring it inside leaving it to equalize temperature over a long period. I have had no problems

Falcon Loc: Abilene, Texas

The idea is to prevent moisture buildup (condensation) on the lens and camera. Although most cameras and lenses are well sealed, they are NOT usually waterproof. Condensation on the camera or lens MAY seep into the working mechanisms. This is rare, but it has happened and is difficult to deal with when it does happen. A plastic freezer bag will keep the moisture laden warm air away from the cold camera as the camera warms up to indoor temperatures. It seems to me that a cloth cooler bag--such as those sold in grocery stores--would keep the cold camera in the cold environment. Eventually the temperatures will equalize and the possibility of condensation is eliminated, but it will take longer.
I would expect that putting your gear into the camera bag--and closing the lid/flap--would work as well as anything. we are not talking about massive amounts of moisture in any case. An additional point in your favor is that the furnace in the house actually removes moisture from the air so the warm house air is not particularly heavy with water.

senad55verizon.net Loc: Milford, NJ

WHY DO I PUT A DESSICANT IN THE PLASTIC BAG?

BTW, thanks for the response.

Most of the time you can bring your cold camera into a warm house and it's not a problem. Except when it is, and then it's too late. What we're talking about here is a reliably protective method.

Cold air has lower relative humidity, but it's not dead dry. If you put a cold camera in a plastic bag outside, you include a small amount of water vapor in the air.

Back in the house the air in the bag begins to warm first, and then the warmer air in turn warms the camera and lens. No other sequence is possible. That warmer air/colder camera situation raises the possibility of condensation, it seems to me.

OK, it's bending over backwards, but Drierite is cheap and can easily be recharged. Think of it as a little bit of extra insurance.

Falcon Loc: Abilene, Texas

Ok, I'll buy that thinking. You are correct in that cold air is not absolutely devoid of moisture. It is better to use Drierite and not need it than to need it and not use it. Using it if it isn't really necessary only costs a little money to buy Drierite, but not using it if it is necessary may cost a lot of money to repair a lens or camera. Good risk/reward analysis.

rowandjr Loc: New Jersey

Bring the camera in the bag indoors and forget about it for at least 4 hours even until tomorrow and your good to go.