Thanks to the many BBers who helped me decide to include Guilin on my China Trip. It looks like it is misty/rainy there a lot. My question is, what are some ways to protect the camera from moisture? I don't care how wet it is, I will be out there shooting pictures .
Jill
"You but arrive at the city to which you were destin'd, you hardly settle yourself to satisfaction before you are call'd by an irresistible call to depart." Walt Whitman
Posts: 120 | Location: Iowa, USA | Registered: 06 August 2005
Some people use a clear plastic bag like those you put veggies in. They just poke a hole in the sealed end and slip the camera lens through. Plastic bags are a decent enough emergency fix, and it takes no effort to have one in your camera bag. However, if you want a bit more than a plastic bag, you can take a look at this site.
I've just ordered the "Storm Jacket" camera covers for myself. Unfortunately, I don't have them in hand yet; thus, I can't give you a "first hand" product review but I do use a few items this company produces and have always been impressed.
I've attended a workshop on travel photography where the instructor advises that you never put your camera into a wet case or put a wet camera into the case. Silica gel packets will help absorb moisture from the case. (I would take my hair dryer to the case as soon as possible.)
My Lowenpro case has a rain cover built into it. It's in a slit near the bottom and when needed, you pull it out and cover the case much like a shower cap covers your head.
Posts: 435 | Location: Richmond Hill (Toronto), Ontario, Canada | Registered: 15 January 2005
Once again, I'm amazed at the information I learn on the BB. Thanks for all the sugestions!
Travellor, I checked out those Storm Jacket covers - they look pretty slick, but, you're right, they are expensive. I'm still debating at the moment. I will remember to take a plastic baggie with me.
Xponent and Zelda Sue = I never would have thought of that - what a great idea.
"You but arrive at the city to which you were destin'd, you hardly settle yourself to satisfaction before you are call'd by an irresistible call to depart." Walt Whitman
Posts: 120 | Location: Iowa, USA | Registered: 06 August 2005
Originally posted by Dimpz: Can you buy silica gel packets? If so, where?
Here when you buy a new pair of shoes, they come in the box - I have extracted a few to pack as well. Somehow I sometimes forget to throw them out, so managed to find a few in old shoes boxes. I assume these are one and the same thing?!
Posts: 4845 | Location: Connecticut, USA | Registered: 30 January 2003
Zip-loc(tm)-type baggies are your friend. Always keep a couple handy in your pocket or camera bag.
Remember that those silica gel packets will only absorb a finite amount of moisture before they become useless until they dry out completely. The only way to effectively dry them out is to take the pellets out of the packet and put them into an oven, which I DO NOT RECOMMEND YOU DO. I wouldn't fool around with silica too much.
Best thing to do if your camera gets wet is to immediately remove the surface moisture with a soft cloth, those large lens cleaning clothes are very effective for doing this, I have two of them--one for cleaning the lens and one for cleaning the camera, you don't want gunk from your camera body on your lens after all. Also you do not want moisture to condense inside your camera, so if you're coming in from a wet environment, you want to get that moisture away from your camera as soon as possible and get it into a well-ventilated place. Plastic baggies are also effective for providing a place for moisture to condense, simply place your camera into a large bag and close it up, but don't seal it completely, then the moisture has some place outside your camera to condense. Then remove if from the bag and wipe your camera down again to make sure you've got all the dampness. Moisture is not good for your camera although many of the newer lenses are "weather sealed" when attached to the camera.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: FoxDesigns,
Posts: 146 | Location: Toronto | Registered: 14 October 2003
Although I rarely use it, I do have a product called aquapac which is fantastic for protecting your camera in wet conditions. It is simple to use and once you seal your camera inside it is fully waterproff to a depth of 5m. It has a clear optical sectiuon for filming threw and will float if accidently dropped into the water. Aquapac comes in different sizes for different items ranging from mobile phones to camcorders. I have used it for example on the Maid of the Mist, at the foot of Niagara Falls, and it kept the camera totally dry in VERY wet conditions.
If you can't find silica gel,you can pack your camera with a small bag of rice[uncooked of course,and separate from camera].Just fill a small sandwich bag,and seal it completely.
Is it Ignorance... or is it Apathy? I don't know.... & I don't care.
Posts: 71 | Location: Edmonton,Alberta,Canada | Registered: 18 July 2007
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