Jacqui Burke Loc: Perkiomenville, PA

I just returned from a twelve day trip on a boat traveling around the Baja peninsula. Early in the trip we stopped at San Benito Island for a walk and to see the northern elephant seals and the Guadalupe fur seals. It was threatening to rain when we left the ship. It did begin to rain when we reached the island and I was dismayed to find that I had grabbed the wrong bag rather than the one containing plastic bags and rain sleeves. As a result I got moisture in my first generation 150-600 mm Tamron lens. The moisture was visible on the inner surface of the front lens. Having nothing to lose, I slowly dried the lens back on board ship over several sessions with a hair dryer. The lens dried out well and I used it on the remainder of the trip. It seems as sharp as it ever was.

I am concerned about what happened, however. Will this moisture that was in the lens cause any long term problems? I use the lens mostly on trips and I'd hate to have the lens fail during a "high stakes" trip such as on my next trip to Svalbard in Norway in June. Should I send the lens out for servicing or should I take the approach of "if it ain't broke, don't fix it?" I have had items (not necessarily camera stuff) sent out for servicing in the past that have been returned in a worse condition than when they were sent away. Or is it time to spring for the second generation lens? Money is not a serious concern, but obviously nobody wants to spend money that isn't needed. Thanks in advance for your advice.

Laura72568 Loc: Anderson TX

The G2 has full weather sealing so it seems like a good investment if you’re happy with the performance of the G1. I don’t see that you mentioned your camera body is Canon or Nikon. If you shoot Nikon, you might also check out the 200-500mm they offer to compare. Enjoy!

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Neither of Tamrons 150-600mm lenses are weather sealed and they will both acquire moisture in damp environments if not careful. The ONLY super telephoto zoom lens with full weather sealing are the Sport models from Sigma, the 150-600 and the new 60-600mm models. (Neither is Nikons 200-500mm F5.6.) Tamrons longest weather sealed lens is their 70-200mm F2.8 G2 lens.
Yours should not give you future problems as you appear to have addressed the issue early before the moisture spots dried to leave a residue inside.

BCHiker

You can dry the lens out by placing it in a ziplock bag with a desiccant which you can buy at a large hardware chain. Leave it there for a week. There may be residual condensation debris on the inside of the front element but there is little you can do about that other than send it to the repair shop.

I would do this even if you think you got it dry with the hair dryer.

Clapperboard

MT Shooter says "Neither of Tamrons 150-600mm lenses are weather sealed ...."
Maybe someone should tell Tamron as they advertise/specify the G2 version as sealed. Lots of reviews on that lens quote it as weather sealed.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Please READ Tamrons specs on that lens. Moisture resistance is NOT weather sealing. Then read their specs on the 70-200 G2 which IS weather sealed and even you will discern the difference. If you really care to understand the designations anyway.

chrisg-optical Loc: New York, NY

The G2 version is weather sealed (http://www.tamron-usa.com/product/lenses/a022.html - about halfway down page "Additional features") - but this only protects up to a point....for any so-called "weather sealed" lens (even the Sigma sport). Some weather sealing is better than none, but don't take your weather sealed lens for a dive though or through a heavy thunderstorm! Moisture inside a lens will lead to fungus....best prevention for a compromised lens is to leave the lens in a bag of uncooked rice and seal for a week. Then use multiple bags of silica gel desiccant on going inside the lens bag or camera bag wherever the lens is normally stored. It may need servicing too.

awis01

I have to agree with MT Shooter. Moisture resistance is not weather sealing

chrisg-optical Loc: New York, NY

They may use different terms but its the same crap....also all zooms will draw in dirt and moisture over time (and also primes with externally moving focusing barrels) . Weather sealing works better for primes with IF, but nothing is foolproof. Best defense is proper handling and storage....silica gel and rain shields are cheap!

Laura72568 Loc: Anderson TX

That’s what I read, too. And I looked it up again to confirm.

Laura72568 Loc: Anderson TX

My apologies...I was reading some reviews that stated “full weather sealing” but MT Shooter is right. I researched and found this from Tamron -
“A sealed, moisture-resistant construction benefits this lens' use in inclement conditions, and a fluorine coating has also been applied to the front lens element to protect against dust, dirt, and smearing.”

Jacqui Burke Loc: Perkiomenville, PA

Thanks for the replies. I reiterate that the moisture getting into the lens was an ACCIDENT. I mistakenly grabbed the wrong bag onboard the ship only to discover upon reaching the island that I had neither rain sleeves or even a large enough plastic bag to cover the lens properly. Mistakes do happen, even to better photographers than me. I currently have the lens in a bag with two drieright containers and I will leave it there for at least a week or until I need it again. And I will definitely check it well before my next trip so that I can service the lens or buy a new one in time.

Country Boy Loc: Beckley, WV

I don't know the size of the drieright containers but you can also pack them in dry uncooked rice. Both work but I like having the item actually packed in to ensure any possible moisture is captured. Lots of luck on that, seems like you have it under control!

agillot

another way to remove moisture , would be to place lens in a container or plastic bag , and apply vacuum to it , i wonder the food bags that keep food sealed under vacuum ???? .water boil under 28 inch of vacuum .that is what we use to remove moisture from car or house a/c .

MDI Mainer

Be careful which desiccant you use. Some common products, e.g., Damp Rid, are mainly calcium chloride, which is used in ice melting compounds and is corrosive to metal. Silica gel products should be OK.