starlifter Loc: Towson, MD

I was just wondering. If your camera body and lens are both "weather sealed". Is it still necessary to take cold weather precautions such as putting your gear in a plastic bag before coming back in?

Bigmike1 Loc: I am from Gaffney, S.C. but live in Utah.

I personally have no idea. I have never had my camera out for a long period of time in cold weather so I have never had a problem.

davidrb Loc: Half way there on the 45th Parallel

"Weather sealed" will stop liquid moisture from getting inside a closed body. "Weather seals" stop liquid moisture but cannot prevent condensation. Yeah, plastic bags aid in controlling moisture build-up.

starlifter Loc: Towson, MD

Thank you for your reply.

alberio Loc: Casa Grande AZ

I doubt that weather sealing would make a difference. When the temperature of the camera is cold enough, bringing it in a warm environment will still result in condensation.

Jimmy T Loc: Virginia

While I don't have first-hand experience with the condition you are asking about, since I avoid ANY temperature extremes.
I think that such a precaution would be advisable if the camera was exposed to low temps long enough to thoroughly cool down and be substantially cooler than the warmer moist indoor air.
The real issue is not so much condensation forming on the outside of the camera, it is the condensation forming inside of the camera body and lens at the "dew-point".
Sir Google sez, "What is an example of a dew point?
For example, let's say your weather station records an outdoor temperature of 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius) and a humidity reading of 80%. The temperature at which these two values intersect is the dew point. In this example, dew will begin to form at 44 degrees Fahrenheit (7 degrees Celsius)."
Please feel free to add to this discussion . . .
Best Wishes,
JimmyT Sends

PS: Yes, sealing up any thoroughly cold electronic gear in a Zip-Loc bag prior to bringing it inside a nice warm room seems to be reasonable and prudent.
Remember, you said "Weather Sealed" and not "Water Proof".

Wallen Loc: Middle Earth

Extra care and protection won't hurt and putting it in a plastic bag or maybe a large Tupperware might be a good practice. I would if it was me.

CindyHouk Loc: Nw MT

I have had my Nikon D500 out in extremely cold weather here in Montana for long periods of time and putting it in a plastic bag does help but you still get condensation. I do remove the lens from the body and I place a bunch of the little packets that you get in your prescription pill bottles to help remove moisture in the bag as well.

Fotoserj Loc: St calixte Qc Ca

Putting your équipements in a seal bag BEFORE coming in from the cold will prevent condensation on your materiel

Indi Loc: L. I., NY, Palm Beach Cty when it's cold.

As CindyHouk pointed out using those desiccant capsules or packets in a zip lock bag would probably be very helpful.
I always save those packets and capsules for just such a purpose.

r1ch Loc: Colorado

I think if you are going to put your camera in a plastic bag (which I wouldn't) I think I would use desiccant bags in it as well. I live in a dry area. I just leave my camera and lenses in my bag, it has several large desiccant bags in it. I move my camera bag from outside, to the trunk, to the garage, then to the house allowing the lenses to warm up or cool down slowly

CindyHouk Loc: Nw MT

Doesn't prevent it on mine but does lessen it quite a bit.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

Such a useful reply to OP's question!

JD750 Loc: SoCal

The issue is condensation. Outside and inside the camera. So here are my thoughts on the matter.

Cold outside air is usually much lower humidity. Weather sealing does not mean hermetic. So if you are outside for a while the cold dry air will creep inside the camera. The leak rate is important. If the warm moist inside air is still trapped inside when the camera cools down, it could result in condensation inside the camera.

Coming back in the cold outside of the camera would be exposed to warm most air, lenses body, viewfinder glass, etc. So putting the camera in a sealed bag containing outside dry air, will help prevent condensation on the outside and possibly on the inside as well because the warm moist air would begin to seep inside while the camera is still cold.

Jimmy T Loc: Virginia

Nice tip Cindy!