Misty lens!!

[keety]

Arrgggghhhh!!!!

Anyone got any good solution's for stopping lens's fogging up at night? Thought about getting some bendy manfrotto arms and attaching a couple of fans to them to blow air over the lens..... does anyone have a better idea???

 

[Nikon_Nick]

Are you keeping the camera in a bag (relative warmth), and then only taking it out when you want to take the shot (colder than in the bag)?

I would have thought that if you just left the camera out, it would adjust to the ambient temperature, and not fog up...

 

[JohnX]

As you'll appreciate it's down to temperature differentials, so either (a) cool them slowly indoors before taking them outside, or (b) keep them warm when outside!

Cooling could be achieved with the use of cold gel packs - the sort you use for injuries - and carrying the camera kit in a small insulated picnic bag or similar until ready to use, after which there shouldn't be any on-going issue (until you return to a warmer place, in which case beware as condensation can be a camera/lens killer).

Warming is more difficult as you need to maintain the temperature throughout the period they're outdoors, but battery powered car windscreen demisting fans might be an option.

What situations are you finding a problem with?

 

[keety]

Its in the car in a boot in a camera bag, and then i can spend anywhere up to 3 hours in a cold, damp field.......I fog up, never mind the camera, lol!

 

[keety]

I guess I could just drive to where i'm going with the windows down!

 

[realspeed]

Its in the car in a boot in a camera bag, and then i can spend anywhere up to 3 hours in a cold, damp field.......I fog up, never mind the camera, lol!

the back seat of your car must be huge and comfortable. I used to cramp up after a short time

 

[Alastair]

I guess I could just drive to where i'm going with the windows down!

The problem is that your camera is cooler than the air, condensation forms when warmer air meets a colder surface.

You need to keep the camera in the passenger footwell, in the warm. The problem is the cold car boot.

 

[The W]

Sounds like you're having the dew problem that astronomers have to battle. http://www.skyandtelescope.com/astronomy-resources/dealing-with-dew/
Probably worth browsing a few dedicated astronomy forums and seeing what their solutions are.

Maybe drop a few quid on a dedicated dew heater of some sort?
http://philhart.com/content/dew-heaters-night-sky-photography

 

[steveo_mcg]

Sounds like you're having the dew problem that astronomers have to battle. http://www.skyandtelescope.com/astronomy-resources/dealing-with-dew/
Probably worth browsing a few dedicated astronomy forums and seeing what their solutions are.

Maybe drop a few quid on a dedicated dew heater of some sort?
http://philhart.com/content/dew-heaters-night-sky-photography

Cheers Paul that is really helpful.

/runs off to ebay to buy some nichrome wire.

 

[MartinCornwall]

While you on Ebay search for w&w astro dew heater. Cheap ready made and works a treat. When you finish the shoot take your memory cards out of the camera and then keep your camera in your bag for a few hours to stop condensation problems when going into a warmer environment.

 

[steveo_mcg]

While you on Ebay search for w&w astro dew heater. Cheap ready made and works a treat. When you finish the shoot take your memory cards out of the camera and then keep your camera in your bag for a few hours to stop condensation problems when going into a warmer environment.

Those are very neat Martin, but a bit steep for the amount of use I'd expect to get. A fiver for some wire and shrink wrap will have to do for now.