Lens fog in Alaska Winter (February): Sorry if this has been covered before, but I'm going up in late February to shoot the northern lights. The two strategies I've seen from research...

bdhpe1

Sorry if this has been covered before, but I'm going up in late February to shoot the northern lights.
The two strategies I've seen from research are to let the camera/lens acclimate outside and a cute device I came across was a lens wrap that had compartments for hand warmers.

Any suggestions appreciated !

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

I really can’t advise on keeping your lens from fogging up, other than keeping it in an insulated bag. It’ll be cold, but the air should be very dry when it’s below zero out. I would recommend, before coming up here, to see if there will be displays of the auroras during the time you’ll be up here. Those displays are dependent on solar activity. I’d hate for you to go to the expense of coming up here and there be no northern lights to photograph. Just a suggestion.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

bdhpe1 wrote:

Sorry if this has been covered before, but I'm going up in late February to shoot the northern lights.
The two strategies I've seen from research are to let the camera/lens acclimate outside and a cute device I came across was a lens wrap that had compartments for hand warmers.

Any suggestions appreciated !

In general, ‘lens fogging’ depends on warmth and moisture.

In Indiana, the biggest issue is when returning inside. When photographing outdoors, I momentarily hold my breath, because my breath is warm and moist.

bdhpe1

Thanks for the reply, I'm going by dates that a photographer has listed for a workshop up there at this time. He has had this workshop many many years and I think I have trust in that. I know nothing is guaranteed, (especially the weather).

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

Lenses fog when going from cold to warm only, not the other way around. So you only have to worry when bringing the equipment back into a warm building. Most people suggest putting the equipment in a sealed bag outside before taking it in and let it warm up inside in the bag. This keeps the indoor moisture away from the equipment until it is warm enough that fogging (condensation) won't happen.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

rehess wrote:

In general, ‘lens fogging’ depends on warmth and moisture.

In Indiana, the biggest issue is when returning inside. When photographing outdoors, I momentarily hold my breath, because my breath is warm and moist.

The condensation normally occurs when a cold camera is taken into a warm moist atmosphere, like indoors. (Outside to inside)
They normally don't fog when you take a warm camera to the cold outdoors. Unless one breaths on them after they get cold. Condensation occurs on colder than ambient items, not warmer than ambient items.

Haenzel Loc: South Holland, The Netherlands

Actually my lens did fog up during astro photography in the winter. Telescopes are equipped with a dew shield for a reason.
I bought this lens heater. Can be powered by a powerbank. Cheap and efficient...

DougS Loc: Central Arkansas

PHRubin wrote:

Lenses fog when going from cold to warm only, not the other way around. So you only have to worry when bringing the equipment back into a warm building. Most people suggest putting the equipment in a sealed bag outside before taking it in and let it warm up inside in the bag. This keeps the indoor moisture away from the equipment until it is warm enough that fogging (condensation) won't happen.

I wrapped my camera in my coat after bringing it inside (temps from -20 to -30ish outside), I had no issues with condensation. Coldfoot, and up into the Brooks range, AK. Late January to early February.
Where In AK? If going to Coldfoot via small van tour, try to set in the FRONT seat! The rear & side windows will fog/ice over in smaller vans.

wcmoorejr Loc: Birmingham Alabama

bdhpe1 wrote:

Sorry if this has been covered before, but I'm going up in late February to shoot the northern lights.
The two strategies I've seen from research are to let the camera/lens acclimate outside and a cute device I came across was a lens wrap that had compartments for hand warmers.

Any suggestions appreciated !

There is an iPhone app called Aurora Pro that gives you the areas that you can view it on any given date.- We went in May 22 and it was too light to see it. Will probably go back in August to give us a better chance. Feb should give you a good chance as long as the sky is clear. You should not have an issue with lens fog when you are outside. Going inside will be the issue.if you bring equipment that has touchscreens (my R7 does as does my iPhone), make sure you bring gloves that support touchscreens. Enjoy Alaska!!

Pixelpixie88 Loc: Northern Minnesota

I've been out in some mighty cold weather living up here in the northern Mn border. (We are known as the Icebox of the Nation.) The lens will want to frost up. You can wrap handwarmers around your lens but the best tip I can give you, is to keep a lens cloth with you and frequently wipe of the lens. I've done a lot of northern lights photos and have learned the hard way. Bring a lens cloth and it will certainly help.

Mduffy910 Loc: Michigan

PHRubin wrote:

Lenses fog when going from cold to warm only, not the other way around. So you only have to worry when bringing the equipment back into a warm building. Most people suggest putting the equipment in a sealed bag outside before taking it in and let it warm up inside in the bag. This keeps the indoor moisture away from the equipment until it is warm enough that fogging (condensation) won't happen.

I've had my lens fog up going from warm to cold, and not an extreme change either. I've only had it happen once, but now I keep Silaca Gel Packs in my camera kit bags. That has seemed to help. I totally understand the opposite, cold to warm, just like a cold glass of water collects condensation in the summer. I do put my lenses in a bag tightly sealed, again with the silica gel in it, before bringing it in from the cold.

John Matthews Loc: Wasilla, Alaska

[quote=wcmoorejr]There is an iPhone app called Aurora Pro that gives you the areas that you can view it on any given date.- We went in May 22 and it was too light to see it. Will probably go back in August

It would be better to wait until mid-September or later. August tends to be rainy/cloudy and still fairly extended daylight.

CliffMcKenzie Loc: Lake Athens Texas

Mduffy910 wrote:

...I keep Silica Gel Packs in my camera kit bags. ...

So, FL is a far greater concern than AK. You can get a box of Silica packs from Amazon cheap, I use them everywhere. Hand warmer tear open packages are great (AK or for golf) and let me add one more item...a hair dryer. Always carry a hair dryer.