Avoiding Condensation
Dec 8, 2018 09:34:19 #
A.I.R.
Loc: Carmel IN
What different methods do you use to prepare your cameras when shooting in extreme temperatures changes from indoors to outdoors to avoid condensation in camera and lenses? Thanks in advance.
Dec 8, 2018 09:48:00 #
A.I.R. wrote:
What different methods do you use to prepare your cameras when shooting in extreme temperatures changes from indoors to outdoors to avoid condensation in camera and lenses? Thanks in advance.
On a extremely cold day, I put them in my backpack with a mini dehumidifier and bring the backpack with camera inside. The backpack acts like a buffer against the change of temp.
Dec 8, 2018 10:15:55 #
A.I.R.
Loc: Carmel IN
When removing the camera from the backpack outside to take pictures doesn't it fog up then ? How long do you keep it in the bag before removing to take pictures?
Dec 8, 2018 10:47:46 #
I put mine in my back pack - place in the car the night before going on a shoot. When returning from the shoot, pull the memory cards - put everything else in the back pack, close it up and bring it in the house - I let it sit overnight before opening so it slowly comes up to house temp - been doing this method for 40 years with no problems - ME / TN / FL / CA / CO / SD / KS - it works in all kinds of climates...
Dec 8, 2018 11:13:05 #
Condensation is caused when warm air is cooled against the camera or lens which makes it release some of its moisture. So if you put your camera and lenses in ziplock bags while still out in the cold, you have them sealed up with already dry air so it won’t condense. After all have warmed up you can open them up or leave them in the bags.
Conversely condensation can be a bigger problem in warm climates. For example, on cruises in Panama and the Galapagos we had to be careful about our equipment when going from our air-conditioned, low humidity rooms out into steamy hot environment. Our cameras didn’t have time to warm up before we needed to use them. Lowering the thermostat in our room helped. But I got condensation in my “supposedly” weather sealed 70-200 lens. It cost $600 to repair it.
Conversely condensation can be a bigger problem in warm climates. For example, on cruises in Panama and the Galapagos we had to be careful about our equipment when going from our air-conditioned, low humidity rooms out into steamy hot environment. Our cameras didn’t have time to warm up before we needed to use them. Lowering the thermostat in our room helped. But I got condensation in my “supposedly” weather sealed 70-200 lens. It cost $600 to repair it.
Dec 8, 2018 11:14:08 #
A.I.R.
Loc: Carmel IN
Is the humidifier chargeable or battery? Any particular model and manufacturer you recommend?
Dec 8, 2018 11:35:59 #
Steve DeMott
Loc: St. Louis, Missouri (Oakville area)
A.I.R. wrote:
Is the humidifier chargeable or battery? Any particular model and manufacturer you recommend?
Found this on amazon Under $15
New and Improved Eva-dry E-333 Renewable Mini Dehumidifier
Looks like you replace the drying crystals
Hope this helps
Dec 8, 2018 11:50:16 #
A.I.R.
Loc: Carmel IN
That is $$$. Crazy. I find it interesting that I hadn't seen any topics on this situation. Thank you for your time on answering my question. Merry Christmas .
Dec 8, 2018 11:51:25 #
Dec 8, 2018 12:10:40 #
A.I.R. wrote:
Is the humidifier chargeable or battery? Any particular model and manufacturer you recommend?
You just plug it in. Good for hundreds of cycles. We used them in Hawaii
Dec 9, 2018 07:05:03 #
A.I.R. wrote:
What different methods do you use to prepare your cameras when shooting in extreme temperatures changes from indoors to outdoors to avoid condensation in camera and lenses? Thanks in advance.
Don't go outside in the cold helps...
Dec 9, 2018 07:08:06 #
Cold weather is not a problem - the air is very dry. Even going from outside back into a heated building - the winter air is very dry, so there is not a lot of humidity. The problem is when you are in a warm tropical environment and go out from a cold air-conditioned building into the hot, damp air - then you get condensation. In such an environment I always put my gear in zip-lock bags before going outside and allow my equipment to warm up for 10-15 minutes before taking them out. No need to put them back in before going inside - going from hot to cold is not a problem.
Dec 9, 2018 08:00:23 #
Dikdik
Loc: Winnipeg, Canada
A ziplock plastic bag works really well. For cold climates, put the camera in a bag before you bring it in and let it warm up before removing it. With A/C and warm climates, put the camera in a bag before you go out and let it warm up.
Dik
Dik
Dec 9, 2018 09:01:26 #
Dec 9, 2018 10:22:53 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
A.I.R. wrote:
What different methods do you use to prepare your cameras when shooting in extreme temperatures changes from indoors to outdoors to avoid condensation in camera and lenses? Thanks in advance.
I put my camera's in the car in the garage for a half hour before I leave home.
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