how to prevent fogging in DSLR?

song · 8th June 2009

Hi,

I am going up snow mountain in my recent trip. my mountain base is abour 20degree but up the mountain, the temp is is -10degree. How do i prevent fogging? Is there a special way to take out or let the camera acclimatise?

thanks for advising.

song

ortega · 8th June 2009

normally it happens when you come into a warm place from the cold and not the other way around

2evans · 8th June 2009

Leave the camera in the camera bag for a while, lets the camera and air adjust to the new tempature. Some people will suggest using zip lock bags, but I find just keeping it in the bag does the job. If you do take the camera out of the bag immediately, leave the lens cap on.

agws1970 · 8th June 2009

Originally Posted by song

Hi,

I am going up snow mountain in my recent trip. my mountain base is abour 20degree but up the mountain, the temp is is -10degree. How do i prevent fogging? Is there a special way to take out or let the camera acclimatise?

thanks for advising.

song

Actually, you need to think more about keeping the camera in a warmer enclosure rather than fogging. I don't know but -10 degree may be a little cold for the operating temp of the camera. You may have to invest in a camera jacket style enclosure. Fogging is the least of your worries in this situation. Just don't breathe on your exposed lens elements to clean them.

Enjoy the climb, keep safe and GOD be with you. Come back safe.

spheredome · 8th June 2009

I am not a mountain climber but my thoughts are the temperature reduction will be quick but gradual when you climb and dryer as it get colder, thus fogging will be unlikely.

shaoken · 14th June 2009

I came across such situations when I went up Alishan in taiwan and when I boarded the bus which is aorund 20deg, the UV filter fogs up.

Scientifically, it is a "no choice" kind of problem.
As cold air condenses when it reaches warmer conditions.

+evenstar · 15th June 2009

as long as there is no sudden change in temperature, there will be no fogging.

Sivakis · 16th June 2009

Other than fogging, do take note that your battery-life will be reduced due to the temperature.

PrimePhotog · 16th June 2009

Actually if fogging occurs, you can just let the water droplets evaporate from the glass and wipe with micro-fibre cloth.Most cold places (Outdoor.Not AIR_CON!) have very low humidity so water evaporates within a couple of minutes.

night86mare · 16th June 2009

Originally Posted by song

Hi,

I am going up snow mountain in my recent trip. my mountain base is abour 20degree but up the mountain, the temp is is -10degree. How do i prevent fogging? Is there a special way to take out or let the camera acclimatise?

thanks for advising.

song

if the transition is not abrupt, then it won't fog up.

one way is to not leave your camera in the bag, but it usually happens when say, you go from home in more temperate countries in winter outdoors, or from the car outside.

the problem is not fogging on front element, that one is easily resolved, i once had fogging on rear element as well...

chris0804 · 23rd June 2009

Hi Song, you did not mention how high is your base camp but considering that the if the temperature is at 20C your camera will not fog up when you move up higher. Is your mountain in the tropic or further up north? Please bear in mind that humidity level gets lower the higher you go. Also I believe that you are going up gradually to -10C. One degree drop in temperature for every 1000 feet altitude, if my memory serves me well. I have lived in Lhasa, Tibet for almost 3 years, in altitude of 3,600 to 5,100m.

8th June 2009	#1
song Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 400	how to prevent fogging in DSLR? Hi, I am going up snow mountain in my recent trip. my mountain base is abour 20degree but up the mountain, the temp is is -10degree. How do i prevent fogging? Is there a special way to take out or let the camera acclimatise? thanks for advising. song

8th June 2009	#2
ortega Moderator Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: NorthEast Posts: 16,507	Re: how to prevent fogging in DSLR? normally it happens when you come into a warm place from the cold and not the other way around __________________ The Law

8th June 2009	#3
2evans Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 854	Re: how to prevent fogging in DSLR? Leave the camera in the camera bag for a while, lets the camera and air adjust to the new tempature. Some people will suggest using zip lock bags, but I find just keeping it in the bag does the job. If you do take the camera out of the bag immediately, leave the lens cap on.

8th June 2009	#5
spheredome Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: AMK Posts: 883	Re: how to prevent fogging in DSLR? I am not a mountain climber but my thoughts are the temperature reduction will be quick but gradual when you climb and dryer as it get colder, thus fogging will be unlikely.

14th June 2009	#6
shaoken Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Clementi/West Coast Posts: 1,348	Re: how to prevent fogging in DSLR? I came across such situations when I went up Alishan in taiwan and when I boarded the bus which is aorund 20deg, the UV filter fogs up. Scientifically, it is a "no choice" kind of problem. As cold air condenses when it reaches warmer conditions. __________________ Photo Blog\|Modeling Portfolio Olympus User

15th June 2009	#7
+evenstar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 5,453	Re: how to prevent fogging in DSLR? as long as there is no sudden change in temperature, there will be no fogging. __________________ the SEARCH FUNCTION is there for a reason. USE IT!

16th June 2009	#8
Sivakis Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 176	Re: how to prevent fogging in DSLR? Other than fogging, do take note that your battery-life will be reduced due to the temperature.

16th June 2009	#9
PrimePhotog Contributor Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,263	Re: how to prevent fogging in DSLR? Actually if fogging occurs, you can just let the water droplets evaporate from the glass and wipe with micro-fibre cloth.Most cold places (Outdoor.Not AIR_CON!) have very low humidity so water evaporates within a couple of minutes. __________________ 40D + 10-22 and 40D + 70-200 f4L IS My Flickr

23rd June 2009	#11
chris0804 New Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Shenzhen, China ... urg Posts: 29	Re: how to prevent fogging in DSLR? Hi Song, you did not mention how high is your base camp but considering that the if the temperature is at 20C your camera will not fog up when you move up higher. Is your mountain in the tropic or further up north? Please bear in mind that humidity level gets lower the higher you go. Also I believe that you are going up gradually to -10C. One degree drop in temperature for every 1000 feet altitude, if my memory serves me well. I have lived in Lhasa, Tibet for almost 3 years, in altitude of 3,600 to 5,100m.