lens and the cold,

iwols

iwols

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Hi all just about to try some night/star photography and just wondering if the camera/lens needs to be out in the cold for 20,minutes like my old telescope needed to be before I could use It properly thanks iwols
 
The sudden Chang in temp may mist up the lens so yes, just give it time to adapt, it will be even more so when coming in from the cold, I tend to let it go on its own and not wipe the glass !!!
 
I have not found a problem taking a camera straight out of the house to do star photos.

Initially the camera will be warmer than surrounding objects and condensation is unlikely to form on the lens.

I have heard of misting occurring outside when the camera has cooled and the air is damp. Condensation can then form on the lens just like any other cold surface, though I've not seen it myself.

Condensation will occur when you bring the camera back into the house as Ruffy has mentioned. I too have never found it to be a problem, as the camera warms up the condensation disappears.

Dave
 
Save the little silica gel packets you get in shoes and with new electronic goods and put a couple in either the lens case or a few in the camera bag (wherever you are keeping the lens/camera). This will dry the air around the lens/camera and draw out any moisture, these just need replacing every now and again.

alternatively you can get some re-usable ones that you bake to remove the moisture from them when they are used (there is an indicator on them), i think 7dayshop sells them, or ebay...

the packets dont weigh much at all, and its generally a good idea to keep them in there to reduce the chances of water ingress within the body itself.
 
Yes.. it can also cause focus problems as the lens cools down.
 
iwols said:
Hi all just about to try some night/star photography and just wondering if the camera/lens needs to be out in the cold for 20,minutes like my old telescope needed to be before I could use It properly thanks iwols
Click to expand...

How cold is cold? You shouldn't have any problem going out into the cold, but if it's very cold by UK standards (I left my 60D out with a 17-55 lens on it for 10 hours in sub -10C temps - it was fine initally and was about 15C inside) it'll definitely mist up on coming back inside. Whatever you do don't breath on the lens and it'll ice up.

Try and put it into a sealed bag before re-entering the house, then leave it for at least 2-3 hours.

Sony A99 after a few hours at 29C...
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151316711256242&l=e8b7151acc

As iancandler has said focus will change though as the lens changes temp. Plus my tripod needed tightening as the metal contracted.
 
thanks for all comments after coming in from the cold last night the lens instantly misted up but after leaving for 20 mins cleared like you guys have mentioned ,is there a problem with doing this on a long term cycle
 
I have never heard of any long tern problems here. It may different in a very humid climate but unless the camera ends up dripping wet I don't think there will be a problem. I've not had a problem just leaving the camera to warm up and letting the condensation disappear by itself.

Dave
 
I took my D7K out skiing in Les Arc at Xmas. No probs coming from a warm apartment.
 
I took my 50D into the arctic this winter and was happily using it at -25C. The remote that I was using didn't fare as well with a frozen cable and a flat battery after 20 minutes! So I think that you should be fine.

Our accommodation was at a tropical -5c and I got condensation in the lens in seconds. Not something that I thought would happen but the useful advice of putting your camera into a plastic bag before taking it to a warmer place worked a treat.
 
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