Humidity - Confirmation / Clarification on

[kylieh]

Hi all - I've read the humidity threads and after clarification / confirmation on how to handle the camera with humidity in late September.

We're carrying a Canon 60D, G11 at times, video camera for DH and DD9.

When we return to the room, day or evening, place the camera in a zip lock bag. This is when we walk in or before we walk in? Does it matter as long as it's pretty quick?

Just as we've the room remove it from the zip lock. Again, before we've walked out, after does it matter?

Do I need to remove the lens or can it stay attached? Should all the lenses be bagged?

I'm guessing we should do the same with the video camera as well, and any p&s we have with us?

 

[bob100]

Hi all - I've read the humidity threads and after clarification / confirmation on how to handle the camera with humidity in late September.

We're carrying a Canon 60D, G11 at times, video camera for DH and DD9.

When we return to the room, day or evening, place the camera in a zip lock bag. This is when we walk in or before we walk in? Does it matter as long as it's pretty quick?

Just as we've the room remove it from the zip lock. Again, before we've walked out, after does it matter?

Do I need to remove the lens or can it stay attached? Should all the lenses be bagged?

I'm guessing we should do the same with the video camera as well, and any p&s we have with us?

I would store the equipment in a ziplock bag within a regular camera bag. I had to let the camera adjust to ambient temps for 1/2 hour to avoid condensation - or use a hair dryer!

 

[photo_chick]

The condensation happens when you go from the cold of the room to the warm outside temps. It's when you head out for the day, so if you want to take precautions have it ziplocked up before you head out.

edited to add- I got into this conversation with a friend and remembered somethings my dad taught me about dew point. He was a meteorologist. Anyway, dew forms when things are at or below the dewpoint. Look at what the dewpoint is for that day, look at the temperature in your room. If it's around or below the dew point you will get foggy lenses because your camera will be that temperature. If iyour room isn't that cold you won't.

 

[Marlton Mom]

I don't know much about the proper ins and outs of dealing with this problem but I will tell you that due to the temp and humidity difference between our hotel room and the outdoors I wound up storing my equipment in my Lowe Pro bags out on the balcony.

We were up on the 4th floor so no worries about people running off with my stuff.

There were a couple of times when it looked like vicious rain so I would bring it in but, on the whole, I found the best way to deal with the problem was to keep the equipment outside if possible.

On the night that the bags were stored inside it took about an hour before moisture would stop condensing on the lenses.

~Marlton Mom
PS. we kept the room temp very low.

 

[zackiedawg]

I always keep my bags inside, but similarly stick them outside on the balcony in the morning while having coffee and getting changed to head out. Just that little 15-20 minutes in the outdoor weather and heat is enough to have the temps in the camera balanced by the time I'm ready to leave.

I get this problem especially bad, because I keep my indoor room temps at 65 or so - I like it super-cold, so on a 100 degree day the variance is huge. I can't feel confident enough leaving my equipment out overnight, but no problem sticking out in the morning. Doesn't work without a balcony room or on the first floor, but otherwise is a good way of sorting out the issue.

 

[cpbjgc]

My routine on an August trip was the same as Justin's - left the bag on the balcony for about 1/2 hour or so before heading out.

I did want to second the hair dryer idea as well in the event you are fogged up. On our trip to Yellowstone alst year we were caught out in the rain. I was snapping happily with my new 50D and my big while lens at some hot springs. Went to see Old faithful, and when I try a practice shot my 50D only worked in "Green Box" mode and my big white lens stopped autofocussing. A quick trip to the air hand dryer in the bathroom at the visitor center straightened things out.