Camera protection

This isn't specifically for a canon camera, but it's relevant to all cameras I believe. I have a Sony a300 and take it with me all the time. After school (go to college part time, noon-5) I usually go to a park or somewhere alone to take pictures. Unfortunately, since its spring, and summer is just around the corner, I'm worried about the temperature in my car. With all my books and laptop to take into class everyday, its not possible to take the camera bag too. I try to park under shade, and always put up a sun shield, but it can still get very hot. Even leaving the window cracked isn't always enough.

I'm just worried that the excessive temperatures (and sometimes humidity) are going to cause problems. Is there anything simple I can do to to help prevent future problems?

Thanks,
Chad

Get an ice chest (no ice needed) to keep in the trunk of your car. Leave the camera (and camera bag) in there until you're ready to shoot. And avoid putting it back in there in a public place, to avoid drawing attention to it. Certainly don't load it in there just before you head off to class. The trunk's usually cooler than the passenger compartment because it doesn't have all that glass, and the ice chest will further slow the heating process.

Oh wow, that's a good idea, I never thought of that. I was worried about the trunk because I had a bowling ball crack in there once because it got so hot, but I guess with the ice chest it would help. I'll have to try that. Thanks

Car temps can get extremely hot. Check the temp rating on your media and that would be the first thing I would be worried about.

When I have to leave mine in the truck I put it on the floor under a jacket or something. The floor is the coolest spot and the covering keeps the direct sun off of it as well as hiding it.

If you have a trunk, I'd put it in there.

If you leave a window or two cracked, it will lower the temperature considerably.

nvchad2 wrote in post #10076378
Oh wow, that's a good idea, I never thought of that. I was worried about the trunk because I had a bowling ball crack in there once because it got so hot, but I guess with the ice chest it would help. I'll have to try that. Thanks

... in that case you may want to try taking a temperature rating from inside the ice chest as a beta run. You could also layer ice chests (aka smaller one that just fits your gear in a larger chest) as air is a great insulator.

My only concern with the trunk is that i had a bowling ball crack once because the temp was so hot. I'll definitely try it tho. thanks

Thats true. Good idea. I paid a good bit for the equipment I have, one or two chests wont be much if it can save the equipment.

I once left a lens in my truck for a few hours. Middle of summer. Middle of the day.
The lens was very stiff when it came to zooming, but it eventually loosened up as it cooled down...

Peter offers some pretty good advice here, but keep in mind that in the Midwest interior temperatures can hit 120+F. I imagine it's even hotter in the south and west. This can play havoc with lubricants over time as well as plastic and other synthetic components. The "leatherette" can deliminate, adhesives can break down.... dSLRs were never meant to be stored for long periods at high temp.

And then there's the issue of theft. I almost never leave camera gear in the car for this reason. I either carry it with me or it stays at home.

peter nap wrote in post #10076457
When I have to leave mine in the truck I put it on the floor under a jacket or something. The floor is the coolest spot and the covering keeps the direct sun off of it as well as hiding it.

If you have a trunk, I'd put it in there.

If you leave a window or two cracked, it will lower the temperature considerably.

Sounds like you may have an excuse to upgrade pretty soon.

Srsly, that is asking a lot of your gear to endure those extremes on a daily basis. I admire your drive to take pictures every day after school though, taking lots of pics is the best way to get better at it.

sapearl wrote in post #10076686
Peter offers some pretty good advice here, but keep in mind that in the Midwest interior temperatures can hit 120+F. I imagine it's even hotter in the south and west. This can play havoc with lubricants over time as well as plastic and other synthetic components. The "leatherette" can deliminate, adhesives can break down.... dSLRs were never meant to be stored for long periods at high temp.

And then there's the issue of theft. I almost never leave camera gear in the car for this reason. I either carry it with me or it stays at home.

I thought of that sapearl but I looked at his profile. He's in Harrisonburg Va. It doesn't get that hot there (I grew up nearby).

The Humidity is horrible in the summer but it's extremely rare for the temperature to reach 100 and the norm is in the mid to high 80's.

Theft is another issue and I didn't bring it up other than to say cover it up. Harrisonburg used to be a sleepy little place where no one took the keys out of their car. Unfortunately, the Interstate has done the same thing there it's done everywhere it runs. It brought crime and lots of it. There is a very big Meth problem in the area and that always produces a lot of smash and grab...

I thought about it and I'm assuming you're a JMU student and that you won't be leaving it more than a few hours at a time.

If you get a soft side cooler the camera and lens will fit in, it will keep the camera cool enough (assuming you take it inside at night).

I may run down to Bass Pro and pick one up myself.

That's a beautiful area down there .... great country.

I had not thought of the humidity issue, but that can be a fertile environment for mold and mildew over time. I realize that ambient outside temp may not get that high, but cars are basically greenhouses when hit by the sun. The interiors can easily achieve temps 20-30+F higher than the outside weather.

As for the interstate.... yeah, didn't think of that either.

peter nap wrote in post #10076754
I thought of that sapearl but I looked at his profile. He's in Harrisonburg Va. It doesn't get that hot there (I grew up nearby).

The Humidity is horrible in the summer but it's extremely rare for the temperature to reach 100 and the norm is in the mid to high 80's.

Theft is another issue and I didn't bring it up other than to say cover it up. Harrisonburg used to be a sleepy little place where no one took the keys out of their car. Unfortunately, the Interstate has done the same thing there it's done everywhere it runs. It brought crime and lots of it. There is a very big Meth problem in the area and that always produces a lot of smash and grab...

sapearl wrote in post #10076832
That's a beautiful area down there .... great country.

I had not thought of the humidity issue, but that can be a fertile environment for mold and mildew over time. I realize that ambient outside temp may not get that high, but cars are basically greenhouses when hit by the sun. The interiors can easily achieve temps 20-30+F higher than the outside weather.

As for the interstate.... yeah, didn't think of that either.

Good points

I'm thinking the cooler, if it starts off cool, will keep the temperature down enough .

The humidity is another matter. Maybe a desiccant pack or a cloth bag of Dry Rice, in the cooler.