Hoping to take 450d to Japan, but worries about the humidity....

The specs of the camera say that the operating environment is 85% or less humidity. I'm going to Tokyo over July / August and really want to take it for some amazing snaps, but the humidity over there is 90% or above.

Is the operating environment just recommendations for the best performance, or could exceeding it cause damage to the camera?

Also, I would have the camera in the bag (probably with packs of some Silicone gel) most of the time and only be taking it out for photos, would this help since it's not constantly facing the humidity?

I realize that people in Japan or other humid countries must use the cameras over the humid time, but do they have to do something differently to minimize exposure/ damage?

Would body armour protect it? Because I've heard a lot of reviews saying that it only protects from scratches. But surely there's something out there to protect from weather....

Sorry for the many questions . Any and all help would be fantastic, thanks!

how long will you be gone, I have done several trips in Suriname and French Guiana rain forest with a Rebel at the time and had no damage to my equipment, but was gone for 2 weeks at a time only.

Martin

I wouldn't worry about it.

Think about what you are saying here. Where are ALL the major camera companies located? JAPAN!!

I grew up in Hong Kong and it's quite humid there. You're not going to run into serious issue for just being there for a couple months. If the place you're staying has A/C or a de-humidifier, it's going to be fine. Or if you're still concerned, you can always put a de-humidifying pack (or anything that does the same thing) in your camera bag.

Guys... Canon is a Japanese company... you think they make cameras that can't survive the homeland? Don't worry!

Hi thanks for all the replies. I figured that it was unlikely since they were made in Japan, just checking that they didn't have something to stop the humidity affecting them which they don't include over here. I was just making sure that it'd be okay to avoid any disasters

But I think from what people are saying that it'll be okay. I go for three weeks, but we'll be inside a fair bit in places I guess will have air con.
Thanks for the tip about fungas too, will keep an eye out and try to avoid

Thanks again!

Laura4 wrote in post #10508073
Hi thanks for all the replies. I figured that it was unlikely since they were made in Japan, just checking that they didn't have something to stop the humidity affecting them which they don't include over here. I was just making sure that it'd be okay to avoid any disasters

But I think from what people are saying that it'll be okay. I go for three weeks, but we'll be inside a fair bit in places I guess will have air con.
Thanks for the tip about fungas too, will keep an eye out and try to avoid

Thanks again!

don't worry about it... i took my 30D back to southern part of taiwan during the summer time and it was far more humid than you can imagine. simply put.. wake up in the morning, shower. after going out for breakfast and walking 5 mins back home.. shower. after lunch, shower.. likewise after dinner shower. i was born there and came to the US when I was 8. even when i go back there, i still shower like there's no tomorrow.

the 30D survived with no fungus or anything of that sort. if it did.. then i would've had a perfect reason to upgrade and my wife would be ok with that..

so the only thing you need to worry about in Japan is... bring extra shirts and underwears and where ever you go... bring lots of coins.. cuz you'll find a vending machine fairly nearby to each other at every other block..

other than that.. wish we could join you.. cuz the last time i was in Japan was when I was 5yrs old and loved every min of it; since it was during winter time and lots of snow sculptures in Sapporo, Japan.

bon voyage~

It ain't that bad, been to hong kong and Philippines and their humidity is thicker than japan's. You'll be fine

My lens used to get fogged all the time coming out from air conditioning in Thailand, but the camera was never affected.

You'll be fine. Place where I stay with my family is pretty darn humid in the summer even for Japan and I found out a few weeks ago its 15min away from the Nikon manufacturing plant/HQ

Just what out for condensation and moisture, and with some gel pack and ac, you should be fine.

Don`t worry, I used my 1D in the Boreno rain forest the other year, no problems, as others have said already, look were the cameras are made.

I currently live in Guam, much more tropic than Japan. I have asked this question many times and been told it is not an issue. I shoot with a 7D, my only issues are fogged up lenses. If I have the camera in doors, I cannot just walk outside and take a picture. It takes about 5-10 minutes before the front lens and the interior mirrors, viewfinder, and rear LCD can even be seen. Its really annoying, and unfortunately, no bag will help. The problem is once the camera goes from cold to hot, the humidity is outdoors. No amount of silicone gel packs will dry up the humidity around you. Water from the air instantly forms on the cold camera and needs time to evaporate.

It really sucks, but having been over here for over 2 years, I have had no long term issues, and have never heard of anyone else having issues.

Like the song said: Don't worry, be happy!