Condensation...

[redwing210]

After being outside for just over an hour the other morning it was about -1 I came in to my house to start reviewing my pictures to find the lens, eye piece etc completley covered in condensation.

I assume this is caused by the different temp extremes of a cold frosty morning and my house, hotter than the sun (the wife feels the cold) is there any way of avoiding this and can it cause serious damage?

Thanks
Redwing.

[ron1863]

If you leave the camera to acclimatise to the hot or cold then the condensation will disappear.
I've heard of some people leaving the camera in the fridge prior to going out in Winter.

[mh68]

Leaving the camera in the case for a while once youre outside, allowing the lens elements/eyepiece to acclimatise to the outdoor temps can help.Taking it straight out of the bag/case while its still warmer than the air temps encourages condensation.

Mark H

[Chris_Johnstone]

I've put my lens on the radiator, cushioned by a towel after the lens became cloudy, although I'm not sure it worked all that well. After a night of being indoors it was back to normal though.

Chris

[HowlinWolf]

Originally Posted by redwing210

After being outside for just over an hour the other morning it was about -1 I came in to my house to start reviewing my pictures to find the lens, eye piece etc completley covered in condensation.

I assume this is caused by the different temp extremes of a cold frosty morning and my house, hotter than the sun (the wife feels the cold) is there any way of avoiding this and can it cause serious damage?

Thanks
Redwing.

When returning to a warm environment, it is good practice to allow the camera (still in the bag) to acclimatise for an hour or so before opening. You are correct in your assumption the condensation is caused by warm, moist air coming into contact with cold surfaces. Allowing things to warm gradually will prevent this. Some photographers keep lenses etc. in zip-lock bags, so that condensation will form on the bag, not the equipment.
The worst case scenario with condensation on lenses is that of fungal growth. Always allow these to dry out throughly before storing in a bag. Moisture penetrating into camera bodies can cause corrosion and/or electronics failure. Fortunately, all this can be prevented with a little thought and planning. Also, keeping silica-gel in your camera bag will help remove any ambient moisture that may exist.

HW

[mh68]

Originally Posted by mh68

Leaving the camera in the case for a while once youre outside, allowing the lens elements/eyepiece to acclimatise to the outdoor temps can help.Taking it straight out of the bag/case while its still warmer than the air temps encourages condensation.

Mark H

Argh! misread your post Redwing, apologies for the slightly "backward" reply


Mark H

[wildlifesnapper]

Hi

one way of stopping the condensation is to put the camera & lense in a airtight plastic bag and tying it up while still outside.When you come in the condensation will form on the outside of the bag.
You can use the same method before you go into a tropical butterfly house.

neil

[Brocker]

Hi Redwing,
A good method for keepinng damp out of your camera bag is to place into it several of the small packets if 'silica gel' (the type you usually find in brand new leather bags etc). These are designed to absorb any moisture and therefore prevent, eventually, mould growing. This will not help the acclimatisation. Follow the advice above for that, but use this as an added precaution..

[Hobjob]

I had terrible trouble with condensation in India getting in and out of an
air-conned car -- the driver was not happy when I insisted we turn off
the air-con and open the windows; but it did stop the condensation