Camera and humidity issues

[Sally]

Do any of you have this problem with your camera fogging up, and what do you find works best to solve it.

Last visit it was a real issue and my camera would fog up right away and I lost the opportunity for some really great shots. It was such a problem with my small video cam that it seized up for two days due to condensation.

I pack my camera stuff with those silica pouches that come with the camera, any other ideas would be really appreciated.

[Kenai]

Hi Sally,
I've had the same problem, especially for early morning when the humidity is higher. The biggest cause of this is usually air conditioning. If you keep the camera in AC (in your room at night for instance) and then go out in the warmer humid air the lens will fog over immediately (and if the camera is not well sealed moister can for on the inside also). This can lead to all sorts of problems. I try to let the camera "warm up" on the balcony while having coffee in the morning and also carry some microfibre cloth for wiping down and cleaning the lens. Hope this helps.
Kenai -

[PlayaWithMe]

I've also had these issues in the summertime in Playa...... I now put my cameras in ziploc bags.

[Eileencc]

Originally Posted by PlayaWithMe

I've also had these issues in the summertime in Playa...... I now put my cameras in ziploc bags.

I do the same with my camera. Mainly to prevent sand from getting into the zoom mechanism (wrecked my perfectly good previous camera by allowing one grain of sand in, causing the zoom lens to get stuck in the extended position). So yeah, ziploc bags are good for sand and moisture prevention!

[Sally]

Great ideas, thank you! I found the morning the worse time of the day too and missed those lovely early morning shots, and the lens would just keep on fogging up every time I opened it. I will definitely use a ziploc bag but was wondering if this will prevent the fogging up problem or is it important that the camera be “warmed up” first?

[Kenai]

As long as the camera lens or body is cooler than the air temperature, and there is humidity in the air, fog and condensation can form. The ziplock bag is a really good idea, but the condensation can form when you bring the camera out for a picture if it hasn't had enough time to equalize it's temperature with the outside air.
The ziplocs are also good for keeping dust and sand out...

Good Luck - Kenai

[Eileencc]

Originally Posted by Kenai

As long as the camera lens or body is cooler than the air temperature, and there is humidity in the air, fog and condensation can form. The ziplock bag is a really good idea, but the condensation can form when you bring the camera out for a picture if it hasn't had enough time to equalize it's temperature with the outside air.
The ziplocs are also good for keeping dust and sand out...

Good Luck - Kenai

I liked your suggestion about letting the camera adjust to the outdoor temp/humidity for a bit before trying to take any shots. That should help.

[Sally]

Originally Posted by Kenai

As long as the camera lens or body is cooler than the air temperature, and there is humidity in the air, fog and condensation can form. The ziplock bag is a really good idea, but the condensation can form when you bring the camera out for a picture if it hasn't had enough time to equalize it's temperature with the outside air.
The ziplocs are also good for keeping dust and sand out...

Good Luck - Kenai

Hi Kenai,

Thank you so much for this info. I took a look at your photos, all I can say is WOW, they are fantastic. I especially love the night shots of 5th.