Camera/Lens problems in humid environments?

[dan_1337]

I was just wondering if there was any precautions i should know about taking my camera (currently I'm in Melbourne) to a humid environment like Singapore/m'sia/Thailand?

I noticed there's been a bit of discussion on dry boxes etc and am worried my equipment could be spoilt. My trip will be about 3 1/2 weeks long.

Currently i have a 350D with Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8, 430EX flash and hopefully getting a Sigma 30mm f/1.4 or Canon 50mm f/1.4 prime soon.

Thanks!

[JediForce4ever]

I dont really think that there would be any issue, so long as you dont leave your equipment stagnant for a long period of time.I might be wrong tho.

[irrelevance]

Hmm...i'm also coming down to singapore soon from melbourne city.

I reckon all i'll be doing is sticking a packet or 2 of silicon gel into my camera/lens case/bag.

How does fungus grow in singapore? Is it only when you leave your equipment unused for a long while?

Cheers
Sing

[Isaiahfortythirtyone]

relax guys. it's only 3.5 weeks! just enjoy your holiday without worrying about your equipment

[bonifas]

Originally Posted by dan_1337 I was just wondering if there was any precautions i should know about taking my camera (currently I'm in Melbourne) to a humid environment like Singapore/m'sia/Thailand? I noticed there's been a bit of discussion on dry boxes etc and am worried my equipment could be spoilt. My trip will be about 3 1/2 weeks long. Currently i have a 350D with Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8, 430EX flash and hopefully getting a Sigma 30mm f/1.4 or Canon 50mm f/1.4 prime soon. Thanks!

put some silica gel on your bag.. that will do.. short trip should not be a problem.. don't worry, Singapore is an "Air-con" country.. hehehe

[Danntbt]

Originally Posted by bonifas put some silica gel on your bag.. that will do.. short trip should not be a problem.. don't worry, Singapore is an "Air-con" country.. hehehe

Not really a good idea to have the gel in the bag, it will suck and suck and should be fully saturated in no time, making it worse for the confined area of your bag....unless you have a sealed bag like the pelican case.

[irrelevance]

Originally Posted by Isaiahfortythirtyone relax guys. it's only 3.5 weeks! just enjoy your holiday without worrying about your equipment

heh a bit scared - last time i brought a jacket down to singapore from melbourne, hung it in my cupboard, a few weeks later it was covered in mould! Must be all aussie spores suddenly growing like nuts in the nice singapore weather.....

So you reckon it'll be ok as long as i make frequent use of my equipment? I'll be in humid environments for about 3 months!

Cheers
Sing

[JoshSiao]

Fungus won't grow that instantaneously right? Just keep some silica packs in your bag. Also you can keep the cams in air-con rooms when not using or put it in a clean cupboard with a larger cupboard dehumidifier.

[dan_1337]

looks like i might have to dig out the silica sachets from my old shoeboxes =|

didn't have a problem with my compact digi last time, so maybe i won't worry about it when bringing my dSLR this time.

Gotta live life on the edge right? hahah

[Virgo]

No worries mate. For 3 1/2 weeks trip, fungus won't grow in your lenses or cameras as long as you use them often, like 2-3 times per week. Anyway, I'm assuming you'll be putting up in a hotel with air-conditioned room. So rest assured.

Unless you leave it under room temperature and don't touch it for the entire trip, which I really don't think so right?

Originally Posted by dan_1337 I was just wondering if there was any precautions i should know about taking my camera (currently I'm in Melbourne) to a humid environment like Singapore/m'sia/Thailand? I noticed there's been a bit of discussion on dry boxes etc and am worried my equipment could be spoilt. My trip will be about 3 1/2 weeks long. Currently i have a 350D with Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8, 430EX flash and hopefully getting a Sigma 30mm f/1.4 or Canon 50mm f/1.4 prime soon. Thanks!

[dan_1337]

actually, i'll be on the west side staying with grandparents for about 2 weeks before going to a hotel.

either way, i'll be using it every day so it sounds like i'll have no issues!

[An drew]

There is a new product (Electronic Silica Gel) that you can buy in DIY shops.

Just plug it in and the gel will regenerate itself. You can then place it inside your camera bag as it is only the size of a Sony walkman (if you can still remember).

I am actually interested to find out how fungus will not grow just by using a lens. Are fungal cells are afraid of light or that they cannot withstand the movement when you use a lens?

And if I were to use my camera/lens everyday, for how long can I use it fungus free without putting it in dry box in a tropical country?

I know it is not possible for fungus to grow visibly in 3.5 weeks but isn't it possible for a fungal growth to start during that 3.5 weeks and continue in the years to come?

BTW, Air-con may actually aggravate the problem because if you suddenly bring the lens out from a cold air-con environment, there might be condensation in the lens, unless your lens is nitrogen-purged and water-proof, like the Nikon Fieldscopes are.

As I have not looked at my lenses with a microscope each time I use it, I really don't know how critical drying is. But any glass optics left out in the tropics will have fungus sooner or later.

[adamadam]

Interesting discussion, because I'm also faced with the same issue, but my S'pore trip is only 12 days... haha

[An drew]

Originally Posted by adamadam Interesting discussion, because I'm also faced with the same issue, but my S'pore trip is only 12 days... haha

haha, hope you don't get fungus. But if you do there is a lot of advice being offered at this other thread:

http://forums.clubsnap.org/showthread.php?t=190801

[panzerpunk]

For fungal growth, there must be viable spores and suitable conditions, i.e. some warmth, moisture, oxygen. Both conditions must be present before the fungus will start growing. In most cases, using UV light should probably kill most of the fungus and bacteria.

But its impractical to store your lenses in a UV machine.

The growth of fungus varies from conditions to conditions. Spores will always be present in the air. That said, the best method now is to get snatchels of sillica gels or colbalt oxides. But if you have a weather sealed L lens, there's nothing to worry yeah?

[CaNoN EoS]

Is it really so serious? I just bought a camera about 2 months ago, but i don't have a dry box and have been leaving it in the camera bag only...

[noob117]

Originally Posted by An drew There is a new product (Electronic Silica Gel) that you can buy in DIY shops. Just plug it in and the gel will regenerate itself. You can then place it inside your camera bag as it is only the size of a Sony walkman (if you can still remember). I am actually interested to find out how fungus will not grow just by using a lens. Are fungal cells are afraid of light or that they cannot withstand the movement when you use a lens? And if I were to use my camera/lens everyday, for how long can I use it fungus free without putting it in dry box in a tropical country? I know it is not possible for fungus to grow visibly in 3.5 weeks but isn't it possible for a fungal growth to start during that 3.5 weeks and continue in the years to come? BTW, Air-con may actually aggravate the problem because if you suddenly bring the lens out from a cold air-con environment, there might be condensation in the lens, unless your lens is nitrogen-purged and water-proof, like the Nikon Fieldscopes are. As I have not looked at my lenses with a microscope each time I use it, I really don't know how critical drying is. But any glass optics left out in the tropics will have fungus sooner or later.

can regenerate those normal silical gel? those u buy i bottle? purple then later turn pink/peach colour?

[An drew]

Originally Posted by noob117 can regenerate those normal silical gel? those u buy i bottle? purple then later turn pink/peach colour?

Yes, of course. I just saw a new product, regenerate by putting in microwave.

I am not good at cooking silica gel, often overcook and chow tar. Dry cabinet easier.

[panzerpunk]

The sillica gel or cobalt element is a transistion metal which has partially filled d subshells that can accomodate ligands. Water, having two lone pairs of electrons at the O atom, is a ligand and thus can bind to the central ion like cobalt.

In the presence of ligands, the once degenerate d orbitals are now split into two energy levels but the difference in this energy gap is small. Electrons from the lower energy level can then absorb photons from the visible region of the EM spectrum or light spectrum and be promoted to the higher energy level. Unabsorbed light will be reflected and this gives the sillica gel its colour.

Hence, the gel appears blue when hydrated and it appears pink when dry.

[Russ]

I would not even bother with the silica gel in bag trick. Unless you are here for months, you will not have a fungus problem.