Shooting in High Humidity - tips?

[DragonSpeed]

We're going to be in Tanzania in 12 days!

w00t!

The humidity level appears to be hovering around 80% these days. Any suggestions for equipment care/shooting tips in the high humidity?

Thanks!

[hollis_f]

Hmmm, I didn't notice it being that humid in Tanzania. But if it is then your only real problem is condensation - which can happen when you take your gear from a cool place (air-conditioned lodge) to a warm, humid place (the outdoors).

The key is to ensure that your gear is at the same temperature as the outside before you expose it to the air. If your accommodation isn't air-conditioned then you'll probably not have any problems. If it is then pop the camera and lenses in a sealed plastic bag while in your room and take it out with you (I doubt you'll be eating breakfast in air-con) to slowly warm up.

[DragonSpeed]

Hmmm, I didn't notice it being that humid in Tanzania. But if it is then your only real problem is condensation - which can happen when you take your gear from a cool place (air-conditioned lodge) to a warm, humid place (the outdoors).

The key is to ensure that your gear is at the same temperature as the outside before you expose it to the air. If your accommodation isn't air-conditioned then you'll probably not have any problems. If it is then pop the camera and lenses in a sealed plastic bag while in your room and take it out with you (I doubt you'll be eating breakfast in air-con) to slowly warm up.

Thanks. The rains are just finishing... All that water on the ground has to go SOMEWHERE before it becomes the DRY season ;)

We are going to bring a few Kitchen sized Garbage bags with us also just in case we need to do any field lens changes ( every thing in the bag away from the dust) That should do the trick for the condensation too.

What about shooting in in high humidity... Other than UV filter to help cut the haze... other ideas?

Thanks!

[hollis_f]

Other than UV filter to help cut the haze...

UV filter does absolutely zero to haze. In the days of chemical photography, when film was sensitive to UV, then such a filter could help cut out some of the short-wavelength stuff. But modern digital cameras have lens coatings and sensor filters that remove all the UV anyway.

Some people would recommend putting one on to protect the front element of the lens. I prefer to use a hood for protection and a rocket blower to remove dust.

Talking of which, I had no problems with dust in Tanzania. Just don't be silly about when you change lenses.

[Tom Reichner]

Thanks. The rains are just finishing... All that water on the ground has to go SOMEWHERE before it becomes the DRY season ;)

Well, then, with all that water on the ground it shouldn't be dusty, should it? At least that eliminates one of the potential problems for you.

Something that may be of help are the large, very heavy duty bags that are completely air and moisture tight. They're like a ZipLock bag on steriods. They're sold as "storage bags", and are popular for storing wedding gowns in. Most WalMarts carry them. They're only a few bucks, and they will completely seal out mositure, unlike a garbage bag.

Good luck on your travels. I can't wait to see some killer images posted here!

[EveryMilesAMemory]

We've used these Huge Ziplock bags (http://www.ziploc.com/?p=b8) for Canoe trips to keep gear dry.

You can find them at any of the Home Improvement stores. This would keep the dust off the gear and keep the moisture out if you do find A/C...Good Luck with that:confused:

These bags are big enough that you can put the whole camera bag right in one!!

[Discov3ry]

Ziplock bags + patience = WIN

I've learned it the hard way on one very extremely cold day in January 2007 in Chicago (low single digit F) when I brought all of my cold gear into a the Lincoln Park Conservatory where the humidity is about 100% at an average 80F. The wedding party had to wait 45 minutes for lenses to defog.

[captainkimo]

You may also consider bringing along with you some silica gels or dehumidifiers which can absorb moisture. RH level should be between 40-50% for molds/fungus not to grow. Have fun on your shoot!

Cheers!

Captain Kimo

[Robert Armbrust]

While I was at the beach I stored my gear in the laundry room, and had little problem with the lenses fogging.

[DragonSpeed]

We've used these Huge Ziplock bags (http://www.ziploc.com/?p=b8) for Canoe trips to keep gear dry.

You can find them at any of the Home Improvement stores. This would keep the dust off the gear and keep the moisture out if you do find A/C...Good Luck with that:confused:

These bags are big enough that you can put the whole camera bag right in one!!
This is the solution we went with. Worked well when in zanzibar and going from the cool hotel room into the hot and very humid coastal African weather.

[duxbar]

Ziplock bags + patience = WIN

I've learned it the hard way on one very extremely cold day in January 2007 in Chicago (low single digit F) when I brought all of my cold gear into a the Lincoln Park Conservatory where the humidity is about 100% at an average 80F. The wedding party had to wait 45 minutes for lenses to defog.

Wow... there was no damage to the sensor? Dried water spots on the sensor?? :(