noimmunity
scratch my niche
I've read reports from users who took the M8 backpacking and came back with nightmare stories of internal condensation leading to a dead camera and thousands of dollars in repair costs.
Seems like we haven't heard any stories like that in a while, however.
Are there people taking the M8 backpacking? I don't mean casual day hikes, but full on self-propelled sports in the backcountry.
Seems like we haven't heard any stories like that in a while, however.
Are there people taking the M8 backpacking? I don't mean casual day hikes, but full on self-propelled sports in the backcountry.
ItsReallyDarren
That's really me
What were these people backpacking through? The ocean?
I haven't heard of major disasters by condensation from M8's but then again I haven't heard too many stories about them altogether.
I haven't heard of major disasters by condensation from M8's but then again I haven't heard too many stories about them altogether.
maddoc
... likes film again.
I had heard only story and that guy seemed to have his M8 stored wrapped into a towel in his backpack together with clothes for some time ....
hans voralberg
Veteran
Condensation often only take place in extremely humid environment, reads tropical jungle. Or with big temperature swing, i.e. hot to cold with ~10-15 degree difference at least. What exactly happened with that guy? I think it's more of a user ignorance issue. I regularly take my M8 in an out of the office (20-22 C) to the street (30-32 C) and back, just let it warm up/cool down a bit.
sessyargc
Newbie
My experience with the M8 in an "extreme environment" was when I took it snowboarding. Yep up the slopes, on my neck and inside my jacket. I took many tumbles, and after a day at the slopes I had 70 extra shots caused by the shutter accidentally tripping.
Inside my jacket I was perspiring, and outside it was cold. I took it out to take some shots (wiping some of the perspiration/condensation off of the LCD screen) and tucked it back in after shooting.
If you're going like white water rafting or kayaking it might be wise to protect the M8 in a waterproof bag.
Inside my jacket I was perspiring, and outside it was cold. I took it out to take some shots (wiping some of the perspiration/condensation off of the LCD screen) and tucked it back in after shooting.
If you're going like white water rafting or kayaking it might be wise to protect the M8 in a waterproof bag.
noimmunity
scratch my niche
The primary first lesson is to store the camera in an Aloksak, a military grade completely waterproof "zip loc" on steroids.
I've taken my Bessa T on numerous backpacking trips with no problems. That's a great camera for the job: not only does it have a relatively small body, it also fires without batteries.
Even if I could take the M8 I'm not sure I would, because I love the look of chromes so much. It would however be a lighter alternative. In that regard, a DP-1 would probably be the ticket, but it's not in my budget.
jaapv
RFF Sponsoring Member.
Condensation does not just occur in tropical jungles, it can occur in the right conditions at all temperatures.
What happened was:
The person in question - and it is just one case- was hiking in Greenland. There was a drizzle at temperatures just above freezing.
He put his camera inside a backpack and left it in his tent for eight hours, thus putting it in a perfect condensation chamber, making it into an economic total loss.
Had he either
a. Taken it with him and taken normal rain precautions like we all do
b. left the camera out in a slight draft in the tent
c. kept the camera in a moistureproof case with Silicagel
nothing would have happened at all.
I have taken mine skiing in all kinds of weather and temperatures. Sailing in the Bahamas - hot-humid- salty (!) Into tropical rainforest. Drenched by unexpectedly rough lake crossings in an open boat. Etc..
Just take reasonable precautions and you have an exceedingly good chance there will be no problem. For instance, using a soft-release to close the hole of the cable release seems to be a good idea. Take a plastic bag to hang over the camera when it really starts belting down. Keep it under your coat when carrying in adverse conditions Keep it ventilated as much as possible. The last is best achieved by using it all the time
If the going really gets tough, use a Pelican Case with Silicagel to store it.
Btw, weatherproofing will not protect a camera from condensation damage.
Anyway, after you have taken reasonable precautions any damage that might occur should be covered by insurance.
That was another problem in the quoted case: The owner tried - quite forcibly too- to get it repaired under guarantee, which obviously did not work. Unfortunately he made so many waves in the process that he upset the insurance company too - although they did pay out in the end.
What happened was:
The person in question - and it is just one case- was hiking in Greenland. There was a drizzle at temperatures just above freezing.
He put his camera inside a backpack and left it in his tent for eight hours, thus putting it in a perfect condensation chamber, making it into an economic total loss.
Had he either
a. Taken it with him and taken normal rain precautions like we all do
b. left the camera out in a slight draft in the tent
c. kept the camera in a moistureproof case with Silicagel
nothing would have happened at all.
I have taken mine skiing in all kinds of weather and temperatures. Sailing in the Bahamas - hot-humid- salty (!) Into tropical rainforest. Drenched by unexpectedly rough lake crossings in an open boat. Etc..
Just take reasonable precautions and you have an exceedingly good chance there will be no problem. For instance, using a soft-release to close the hole of the cable release seems to be a good idea. Take a plastic bag to hang over the camera when it really starts belting down. Keep it under your coat when carrying in adverse conditions Keep it ventilated as much as possible. The last is best achieved by using it all the time
If the going really gets tough, use a Pelican Case with Silicagel to store it.
Btw, weatherproofing will not protect a camera from condensation damage.
Anyway, after you have taken reasonable precautions any damage that might occur should be covered by insurance.
That was another problem in the quoted case: The owner tried - quite forcibly too- to get it repaired under guarantee, which obviously did not work. Unfortunately he made so many waves in the process that he upset the insurance company too - although they did pay out in the end.
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edodo
Well-known
I think no matter how hard digital M is trying to settle, the film M are still IT no matter what technological advances are made.
A ruffian was accosting passerby on the street last week, so I took my M8 and beat him soundly about the head and shoulders with it. The hooligan knocked my camera into a puddle of water, until I subdued him with a red-hot poker in the eye.
Having settled his hash, I retrieved my M8, which not only had landed half-cocked into the aqua, but was dripping with water totally saturated into the works.
I gave the prostrate jackanapes a taste of my boot, and snapped his picture.
"Take that, you insolent fellow".
To my surprise, the photos were perfectly exposed and the camera suffered no "issues".
Having settled his hash, I retrieved my M8, which not only had landed half-cocked into the aqua, but was dripping with water totally saturated into the works.
I gave the prostrate jackanapes a taste of my boot, and snapped his picture.
"Take that, you insolent fellow".
To my surprise, the photos were perfectly exposed and the camera suffered no "issues".
sepiareverb
genius and moron
Oh joy he's back.
You will be happy to know I have to take my poor son for his vaccinations at the pediatric house of horrors, so I'll be gone today.
sepiareverb
genius and moron
what is your wealthy son doing while you're out?
Ba-da...bump. Snappy comeback.
I have a funny photo I can post concerning your sig "genius and moron".
Posting it will almost certainly get me banned.
Should I or shouldn't I?
Posting it will almost certainly get me banned.
Should I or shouldn't I?
sepiareverb
genius and moron
Hasn't stopped you before, but you could pm it to me.
abumac
Well-known
I take my M8 with me to the mountains. In summer, in winter, backcountry-skiing, glaciers, long hiking tours ..... I put it into a tupperware-box, so it doesn't have any conflict with crampons, etc.