humidity and cameras/lenses

[msbarnes]

Is humidity for a short period of time bad for cameras and/or lenses? I once went into a flower conservatory and it fogged up my lenses via condensation and then when I went outside it went back to normal and I haven't noticed any drop in quality. I didn't really worry about it, honestly, but I ask because I would like to go to a somewhat similar setting (indoor rainforest in Academy of Sciences) and I'm wondering if taking a camera is a bad idea?

I figured that they have been using cameras in rainforests so it should be fine but I just wanted to make sure.

 

[BNLee]

It really depends on the humidity of the rain forest that you are going to. In Malaysia, it is humid, but I always shoot outside as the weather here is really nice at times. When you get back, just check that your camera equipment is alright. After the shoot, I will leave my camera on the table just to let it "dry" under the fan, then keep it in the dry box. If a lot condensation occurred in the lens, just put it in an air tight box with dehumidifier. Also, older cameras are not sealed as much, so you really want to be careful with older cameras. Good luck with the shoot, and sorry for the late reply...

 

[Messsucherkamera]

Condensation is the result of taking a cool or cold camera into a warm environment. Taking a warm camera into a cold environment does not produce condensation.

This can happen in winter too, if you tale a cold camera directly from the outdoors into a warm car, house or apartment. When shooting outdoors in the winter, I will put my camera & lenses back into my camera bag and completely zip it up. When I take the bag into the car or house, I will leave it zipped closed for a few hours ( four or more) so that the temperature inside can slowly equalize with the much warmer indoor temperature.

Mild exterior condensation on the camera or front element of the lens is not so much of a problem. If you get condensation inside the camera or lens, that is a big problem.

To prevent condensation issues, you have to either protect the camera & lens or let them warm up slowly. If you are going from a cool, air conditioned home or room to a hot, humid environment like a greenhouse or if you are going outdoors in the summer when it's 90 degrees or hotter, the temperature difference can be 30 degrees or more. In the desert this may not be a problem. In a humid environmemt it is a problem.

I would put the camera & lens/lenses inside ziplock plastic bags and then put them in the camera bag. Putting a desiccant (silica gel beads) pack into the bag would be a good idea, too. When you arrive at the greenhouse, take out your camera & lenses and let them warm up gradually. If condensation is going to form it will form on the exterior of the plastic bag rather than on the camera or lens. The plastic bag acts as a vapor barrier and kees the humid air of the greenhouse away from your camera. Let your gear warm up for 15-20 minutes before removing it from the plastic bags. This should be sufficient time to prevent condensationn from forming on your camera & lens.

If your camera and lens does experience condensation - especially inside the body and /or lens - this can be cured by putting the camera & lens inside a ziplock bag with a large desicant pack and leaving if for a couple of days. Pelican makes a nice desiccant pack in a vented aluminum box (about $9.00 each from B&H photo in NYC) that would be great for this application. These Pelican dryer packs are about 2"x3.5" x 0.25" so they are small enough to carry in your camera bag to keep things dry in there, too.