How Do I Keep Condensation from Forming?

[FirstTimertoDiz]

We normally visit the World in December, so I have never had to worry about any condensation problems with my dslr.

This time, we are heading out tomorrow, and I was just thinking about the problems I could have with condensation forming on my lens and/or camera from going in and out of air conditioned areas.

Do you have any tips on ways to reduce condensation, or what I should do if I do get it? How harmful is it really?

Thanks for any tips!

 

[ssanders79]

You can put your camera in a zip lock bag until the camera equalizes to the outside temp.

The only time I've had a problem with condensation has been in Cataway Cay. Walking in and out of the A/C at the parks have not caused me any condensation issues.

 

[FirstTimertoDiz]

Thanks for the reply. Just to clarify- do you mean to put my camera in a ziploc when I first leave my resort room in the morning and go outside? I am guessing that is so condensation would form on the bag instead of the camera, but I may be totally off on that, lol. Ok, another dumb question- do I leave the bag open or closed?

Sorry for all my confusion- I live in PA, and we don't have to deal with the humidity too often. I want to try and be sure not to miss any magical moments while I am waiting for the fog on my lens to clear.

 

[cpbjgc]

I used the bag approach. We were in a room with a balcony, so I bagged the camera (sealed it) and then left it and my open camera bag on the balcony for a few minutes (about 15) before leaving in the morning. It worked pretty good.

The other thing I found useful is I had some lens wipes I had picked up that were good for a quick wipedown of the lens if there was a small amount of condensation happeing.

Have a great trip!

 

[GrillMouster]

Generally the problem occurs when you travel from a cold environment into a warm environment, not the other way around. For example, going from a cold air conditioned building to the summer heat outside. Another example would be going from outside on a cold winter day into a warm building. The problem is that cold air is less capable of holding moisture than warm air is. It's a little like taking a cold canned beverage from the freezer. The can "sweats" as air condenses on the exterior. Compare that to a can of room temperature cola; there's no condensation, because the temperate has equalized.

What you're "supposed" to do is seal your camera into a large ziploc bag while you're still in the cold environment, then wait for the temperature inside and outside the bag to equalize. Honestly,the only time I've bothered with this method is in extreme temperature differences, like when it's freezing outside and I come indoors. I'll leave the camera in the sealed bag on a counter for 30-60 minutes. I've never really had a problem with condensation with my digital cameras. Usually I just leave the camera in regular camera bag, which is a little insulated. Inside the camera bag the temperature gradually equalizes.

My cameras are pretty well weather sealed, so the greatest problem is not really inside the camera, but in the lens elements, because they are in more direct contact with the warm ambient air. Oh, and I also keep silica gel packets in all bags that contain any gear. The gel absorbs moisture, turns white or pink when it's "full", and can be re-used after drying it out in the sun (I've heard some use a microwave or the oven to dry out their gel packets).

 

[MarkBarbieri]

I just wear a clean t-shirt for lens wiping. That works well in the morning. Later in the day, the shirt is dirty but the condesation problems are usually gone.