Cold weather and camera: Ok, I’m heading to Yellowstone this winter and was wondering how to keep the camera and lens from fogging up when I’m in and out of a warm car? I know I should...

Photolady2014 Loc: Southwest Colorado

Ok, I’m heading to Yellowstone this winter and was wondering how to keep the camera and lens from fogging up when I’m in and out of a warm car? I know I should keep as much of a constant temperature as possible. I’m sure my husband will not appreciate the idea of no heat in the car... it is quite cold in Yellowstone.. so do you like wrap it up in a blanket before getting back in or what? We have a Jeep so no trunk.. Thanks for any suggestions!

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

One solution is a ZipLock bag. Depending how long the camera is in the warm car, the bag will hold the cold air to keep the camera from getting warm.

https://creativeraw.com/preventing-camera-condensation/
https://www.concrobium.com/blog/2017/06/19/condensation/
https://www.dpmag.com/how-to/tip-of-the-week/protecting-lenses-cameras-condensation/
https://fujiandstuff.wordpress.com/how-to-prevent-condensation-in-your-camera-lens-in-very-cold-conditions/
https://www.diyphotography.net/stop-lenses-fogging-need/

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Keep the equipment in the cold trunk, except the batteries that you keep in an inner pocket of your jacket.

Photolady2014 Loc: Southwest Colorado

jerryc41 wrote:

One solution is a ZipLock bag. Depending how long... (show quote)

Thanks! Will check it all out!

Photolady2014 Loc: Southwest Colorado

CHG_CANON wrote:

Keep the equipment in the cold trunk, except the batteries that you keep in an inner pocket of your jacket.

But as I mentioned our Jeep does not have a trunk, back is all open to the rest of the car. I don’t think it is that much colder back there...

Photolady2014 Loc: Southwest Colorado

Ok, thank you for suggestions to not fog. BUT what do you do when you are in and out of a warm car many times a day and your SUV does not have a cold trunk? I get keeping it cold, but how?

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

I find it rather simple. Dress warm and don't use the heater in the car. Works well for me.
--Bob

Photolady2014 wrote:

Ok, thank you for suggestions to not fog. BUT what do you do when you are in and out of a warm car many times a day and your SUV does not have a cold trunk? I get keeping it cold, but how?

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Photolady2014 wrote:

Ok, I’m heading to Yellowstone this winter and was wondering how to keep the camera and lens from fogging up when I’m in and out of a warm car? I know I should keep as much of a constant temperature as possible. I’m sure my husband will not appreciate the idea of no heat in the car... it is quite cold in Yellowstone.. so do you like wrap it up in a blanket before getting back in or what? We have a Jeep so no trunk.. Thanks for any suggestions!

Consider getting a top jeep carrier and put your camera bag on it in a plastic bag in the event of rain or snow. Alternative is dress warmly and no heat in the car.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

PixelStan77 wrote:

Alternative is dress warmly and no heat in the car.

A guy posted online how he drove without heat in the winter to get better gas mileage.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Photolady2014 wrote:

Ok, I’m heading to Yellowstone this winter and was wondering how to keep the camera and lens from fogging up when I’m in and out of a warm car? I know I should keep as much of a constant temperature as possible. I’m sure my husband will not appreciate the idea of no heat in the car... it is quite cold in Yellowstone.. so do you like wrap it up in a blanket before getting back in or what? We have a Jeep so no trunk.. Thanks for any suggestions!

Well you have lots of worthless answers so far.
I have shot Yellowstone year-round for almost 50 years now and the LAST thing you want there is to have your camera trussed up or out of reach! What would be the point of a photo trip if you did that?
Keep the temp as low as comfortably possible, keep windows cracked for ventilation and reducing humidity inside the vehicle, YOUR window especially! Keep your camera at the ready near that cracked or open window. You have a passenger grab bar in front of you, consider designing a removable "shelf" to fit there to hold your camera near that window and free your hands when there is nothing to see. Keep a dry microfiber cloth handy in case your get some condensate on the lens. And consider a CLEAR filter on the lens so you are cleaning that filter instead of your front lens element.
Most of all enjoy the wildlife opportunities, you can always warm up between shooting periods!

Photolady2014 Loc: Southwest Colorado

MT Shooter wrote:

Well you have lots of worthless answers so far. br... (show quote)

Thank you! I will give it a try! Any words of advice on locations, places to stay, any advice at all is welcome!

Photolady2014 Loc: Southwest Colorado

rmalarz wrote:

I find it rather simple. Dress warm and don't use the heater in the car. Works well for me.
--Bob

I’m good with that, not sure about the driver husband...

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

Photolady2014 wrote:

Ok, thank you for suggestions to not fog. BUT what do you do when you are in and out of a warm car many times a day and your SUV does not have a cold trunk? I get keeping it cold, but how?

Going from warm to cold won't fog the lens...it going from cold to warm will. Half your problem is solved already.

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

All depends upon how long you will be outside. If less than 5 or 10 minutes- no problem. The wife drives often in the cold. I'm out of the car short times with no difficulty.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Photolady2014 wrote:

Thank you! I will give it a try! Any words of advice on locations, places to stay, any advice at all is welcome!

Limited rooms in the park, Mammoth Hotel will be open. Best to stay in Gardiner just outside the park, more dining choices there too. Only road open is between Mammoth and Cooke City, going through the Lamar Valley. Just don't get in a rush and enjoy everything.