Taking care of Camera Lens and Optics

oriole12

Nature Lover
Anupji, If you see my original post that was what I had suggested. This appears to be at least part improvement in that they have added a humidity meter to the container and placed the silica gel in an inner box. I was keen to now
1. What is the cost?
2. What is the mechanism of recharge? Heating, microwave or what?
 

oriole12

Nature Lover
Curious to know how the 'electronic dehumidifyer ' works! I think it is nothing but a packet of cilica gel and a heating coil. I like the concept of putting a meter on the box.
 
do we have to be worried with issues of condensation during travel in ladahk, especially during night photography, any tips for taking care of camera equipment during a trip to ladahk will be much appreciated
 

Yogesh Sarkar

Administrator
Re: D for Doubts

Not really, since majority of Ladakh is quite dry. However it is also quite cold, so batteries will run out a little faster at night.

Biggest thing you need to worry about is dust, since it is an high altitude desert. So make sure to take your blower and lenspen with you.
 

oriole12

Nature Lover
Condensation of water on lens and other parts of the camera is a major problems in high humidity areas and seasons. As Yogesh already said, it might not be an issue in Ladakh. But rest of India during monsoons, it would be.
One or two tips for Monsoon travel
1. If you have two rooms and if one is not used for sleeping in, please leave the camera and equipment in that room without AC. Because when you take the camera out of an AC room suddenly to a hot and humid atmosphere, condensation takes place.
2. If there is only one room, as is usually the case in hotel rooms, make it a point to switch off the AC at least two hours before you venture out. By doing so, the camera would have come to near ambient temperature and the condensation would be negligible.
3. If there is a table lamp or bulb conveniently placed, keep the camera near it. Not too close to burn it or damage it, but close enough to be warm and dry.
4. When there is bright sun, expose the lens and camera to it, but taking care the objective lens does not directly face the sun, lest it cause damage to your camera.
5. Always carry a plastic bag in one of the pockets of your camera bag or in the pocket of your cargo. This is apart from the cover that comes with the bag. That cover is for the whole bag. But out in the field, sudden rains can be unpredictable. At such times, the plastic bag comes handy.
 

zack2137

Leh'd and how!
Koshy Sir, one question, how good are those zip-lock plastic pouches with Silica Gel?

Nekhrun, did you manage to find Silica Gel in Noida? Anyone else have been buying in Delhi?
 

oriole12

Nature Lover
Silica gel can work only if it is open, not enclosed in a ziploc bag. Silica gel is best kept in a net bag like the one used for keeping vegetables in the fridge.
 

zack2137

Leh'd and how!
Silica gel can work only if it is open, not enclosed in a ziploc bag. Silica gel is best kept in a net bag like the one used for keeping vegetables in the fridge.
No Sir, I meant, if I put some Silica Gel in a zip-lock pouch and make a layer of a cotton cloth and then put my lens on it, will it work the say way as it would have worked in a Cello jar? Or will it be exposed to moisture in the zip-lock pouch as well.
 

oriole12

Nature Lover
It is better to put silica gel in a synthetic cloth bag inside the Ziploc bag. Loose gel has a tendency to find its way into the camera. Cotton bags are not recommended as they are also slightly hygroscopic. That is the reason why we do not recoomend storing on camera and lens in clothes cupboard. Make several small nylon bags for silica. Shake the silica well re remove fine dust before putting in the bags.
 
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