Photography in a smokey room

[RickDavisFL]

I have a big photo assignment coming up in two weeks where I will be using my new 40D in a serious manner for the first time. However, the majority of the 3-day shoot will be in a room where many people will be smoking.

What should I be doing to keep the body, lens and other accessories clean and how often? I really don't want my new camera to come out smelling like a cigar but probably more importantly I don't want the smoke affecting the glass or the connections and seals.

Any advice is appreciated.

[TeeJay]

I really don't want my new camera to come out smelling like a cigar but probably more importantly I don't want the smoke affecting the glass or the connections and seals....

... or your lungs! :(

TJ

[SkipD]

I have a big photo assignment coming up in two weeks where I will be using my new 40D in a serious manner for the first time. However, the majority of the 3-day shoot will be in a room where many people will be smoking.I would turn a stinking job like that down in a heartbeat. I would not tolerate breathing tobacco smoke or getting my clothes, camera bag, and heaven knows what else contaminated with it.

[Pete]

It should be fine. Any deposits on your equipment will be very minimal for that short period of time.

It would be an idea to keep things dry though.

[mrerico]

Can smoke affect your lense?

[pakololo]

:)

http://www.usa.canon.com/uploadedimages/FCK/Image/Tips_Techs/Cold%20Weather%20Shooting/Camera%20in%20Bag%20FINAL.jpg

[ryant35]

I agree that the smoke won't effect the camera, but a smokey room will be difficult for flash photography.

[Mark_Cohran]

In the short term, you're probably okay on your gear in terms of the connections (though I would wipe everything down at the end of the day with a damp lint-free cloth), but there's not much you can do about the smell or your lungs.

Mark

[RickDavisFL]

Yeah, I don't care about my lungs...I'm used to being around smokers. And I would not turn down the job because I am assistant editor of the magazine. lol.

I've been doing this stuff for years but went from being a staff writer with a 35mm, to having a photographer assigned to me, to a digital P&S and now, finally, a decent bag of digital gear.

What I think I was looking for was if I should use anything to wipe down the external parts other than a damp cloth. If there is something specific I can use to get off built up smoke on the lens. Is there a general "lens cleaning solution" or will 2-3 solid days not possibly cause enough to make a difference?

Thanks again for all your help and I appreciate everyone looking out for my lungs :)

[SkipD]

Like Ryant35 said, you could have very significant problems with lighting the area - especially with flash - if there's a fog of smoke in the area. Maybe you could get the smokers to not smoke for a while if it's a problem?

Another question - if this is a job for your employer, why aren't they providing the camera equipment (and things like your clothes or at least payment for the cost of cleaning them)? At the very least, get something in writing from your management that if anything happens to your equipment while doing the job for them that they will either cover the costs of repair or replacement or pay for the cost of a full-coverage insurance package up front before you take the job.

If your employer won't do this for you, it would be a good idea to tell them to stuff the job because they'd just be "using" you and your valuable equipment while you take all the risks.

[Dellboy]

I wouldn't stress about it. I did 3 years of night club photography here in the U.K. all very smokey from smoke machines as well as cigs . Pix of people smoking look cool ( IMO ) and no damage to my kit dispite regular lens changing.

Taking the pix however can be a different story, smoke can effect the ability for your camera to auto focus, it can scatter and reflect your flash light and render your pix looking soft with poor contrast. Adding extra contrast in pp can save most though.

Here in the U.K. everywhere is now non-smoking and I have more issues going from the outdoor smoking areas back into the club where condensation forms on my kit and I now worry about it causing medium to long term problems.

I know how to solve these issues by putting it in a plastic bag and waiting for it to acclimatize before using it but people need there pix now and I'd miss a lot of shots.

[RickDavisFL]

SkipD: Thanks for the tip. I already have something like that in place to cover other aspects of my travel so it should not be a problem to extend it to cover the camera gear as well.

At least worrying about the flash won't be a problem. I can't use one because of the type of event it is. The fate of the photos are entirely in the hands of the monopod.

Thanks again everyone.

[jcw122]

I had a rental lens one time that smelled like smoke...that stuff doesn't come off...