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Humidity and camera gear
May 13, 2022 21:15:34   #
NSEPhotography Loc: Cebu Philippines
 
I have moved to the Philippines from Florida via Ohio. My room has cold a/c but when I take my camera out, I have to wait for the temp to stabilize before removing it from my bag. I have a Shimoda 50L and its very waterproof and actually keeps the gear cold from my room. The humidity here can be very bad at times. Should I store my gear in the humidity or keep waiting for the temp to stabilize? I have a few silica gel packs in my bag as well. So far no problems with lens.

Thanks
Bill

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May 13, 2022 21:18:55   #
PoppieJ Loc: North Georgia
 
i would check with others in the area and see what they do with their cameras when not in use.

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May 14, 2022 05:58:02   #
kymarto Loc: Portland OR and Milan Italy
 
You should keep your gear in ambient temperature but at humidity under 50%. It will not grow fungus stored at higher humidity with AC (although AC usually also dehumidifies) but then you will always have condensation happening when you go outside. When I was working in the PI with video gear in refrigerated hotel rooms we always left the gear near the window in front of the curtain so that it would stay warmer.

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May 14, 2022 06:04:18   #
tcthome Loc: NJ
 
If you can safely put it outside in a bag before (in a bag) you know you're going out. Also, I noticed this past winter coming inside with the camera in the camera bag, it was still pretty cold 45 minutes after coming into the house. If you can put the camera/lens into a separate plastic sealed bag it will most likely warm faster than in the camera bag.

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May 14, 2022 08:22:31   #
sb Loc: Florida's East Coast
 
There is no risk bringing your gear into the cold (relatively dry) air but you should keep doing what you are doing when taking it from the cold into the warm damp air. I have no problems in Florida keeping my gear in the camera bag when indoors but I let it warm up gradually in the bag when I go outside.

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May 14, 2022 08:40:58   #
Canisdirus
 
If you keep it in the A/C when resting...fine.
If you want to shoot...move the gear to outside temperatures for 30 minutes prior...good to go.

If you want to use gear without delays...dry box at room temperature (not A/C temp).

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May 14, 2022 08:56:06   #
GLSmith Loc: Tampa, Fl
 
Living in Florida has temperatures & humidity an ever present challenge as we have "instant rain" on a daily basis almost every afternoon in the summer. Coupled with the A/C of your house & car when gear is inside the car & then being taken out is an invitation for mold/fungus to start. I have carried reuse-able silica bags in the bottom of each compartment for my bodies & also carry it in bags for my lenses

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May 14, 2022 09:45:52   #
kymarto Loc: Portland OR and Milan Italy
 
Canisdirus wrote:
If you keep it in the A/C when resting...fine.
If you want to shoot...move the gear to outside temperatures for 30 minutes prior...good to go.

If you want to use gear without delays...dry box at room temperature (not A/C temp).


It is a good idea to keep gear sealed in a plastic bag when moving from cold to hot and humid until it reaches near-ambient temperature, as it keeps moisture from condensing on cold surfaces. It will eventually evaporate, but if it happens inside lenses it can, in rare cases, deposit impurities on the glass of inner elements.

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May 14, 2022 12:36:22   #
Canisdirus
 
kymarto wrote:
It is a good idea to keep gear sealed in a plastic bag when moving from cold to hot and humid until it reaches near-ambient temperature, as it keeps moisture from condensing on cold surfaces. It will eventually evaporate, but if it happens inside lenses it can, in rare cases, deposit impurities on the glass of inner elements.


That sounds plausible to me...thanks.

I skipped that part and went straight to dry boxes at room temp...just faster and easier...and I get to keep my other optics (bino's and such) as well...and filters...etc.

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May 15, 2022 16:36:07   #
Nickaroo
 
NSEPhotography wrote:
I have moved to the Philippines from Florida via Ohio. My room has cold a/c but when I take my camera out, I have to wait for the temp to stabilize before removing it from my bag. I have a Shimoda 50L and its very waterproof and actually keeps the gear cold from my room. The humidity here can be very bad at times. Should I store my gear in the humidity or keep waiting for the temp to stabilize? I have a few silica gel packs in my bag as well. So far no problems with lens.

Thanks
Bill


I bought the Ruggard Humidity Controlled Cabinet, in fact I purchased 3 of them. 1 os for my Hand Guns. Best way, in my Mind to keep everything in top notch condition.

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