I live in FLorida and I frequently have my lens fog up due to the high humidity. Are there any tips/tricks for preventing this - or best way to handle it when it happens. I wipe off my lens, but it just fogs back up again.
How to prevent lens fogging up in high humidity
- Thread starter sassyfox
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You're fighting physics 
The only real solution is to keep the lens from getting cold enough to cause condensation. In Costa Rica (the humidity capital of the world I think), we tell our participants to keep their cameras in their bathrooms with the door closed so the AC isn't cooling it down as much. We also tell them to not go too cold on the AC and to set the gear out so it has a chance to warm up. We sometimes use the outside AC condenser units (the fan) to warm up the gear. I've done the same with my car's heater - just turn to high and blast the lens.
In short, if you can get the lens the same temp or warmer than the air, you won't fog up.
The only real solution is to keep the lens from getting cold enough to cause condensation. In Costa Rica (the humidity capital of the world I think), we tell our participants to keep their cameras in their bathrooms with the door closed so the AC isn't cooling it down as much. We also tell them to not go too cold on the AC and to set the gear out so it has a chance to warm up. We sometimes use the outside AC condenser units (the fan) to warm up the gear. I've done the same with my car's heater - just turn to high and blast the lens. In short, if you can get the lens the same temp or warmer than the air, you won't fog up.
Thanks Steve, I hadn't thought about using the heater to warm up the lens - that may help. I live on a farm and sometimes I see something cool while I'm out doing farm work - I go running for my camera - and go to take the picture - and.....yeah - seldom works out! 
In your case, can you leave the camera on the porch, in a vehicle or barn/shed when out working?Thanks Steve, I hadn't thought about using the heater to warm up the lens - that may help. I live on a farm and sometimes I see something cool while I'm out doing farm work - I go running for my camera - and go to take the picture - and.....yeah - seldom works out!
Warren D
Well-known member
As Steve says, keeping the gear the same temp or warmer will keep the fog at bay. In the winter I like to shoot butterflies inside a greenhouse. I always keep the gear in the front of the car with me on the ride up with the heat blasting away. The greenhouse is usually around 70 with 80% humidity and a camera left in the trunk for an hour at 20 isn't going to work. The location has a small (and weak) hair dryer that they will loan to photogs but you need to be very careful.....keep the heat low and evenly distributed along the lens. Even then the inner elements often take an hour or more to warm up.....depends what the temp differential is.
One final thought, NEVER change lenses when this is going on. Any moisture that gets inside might fog the sensor. While not a huge deal per se it does have a tendency to weld dust to the sensor which will require aggressive cleaning to remove.
One final thought, NEVER change lenses when this is going on. Any moisture that gets inside might fog the sensor. While not a huge deal per se it does have a tendency to weld dust to the sensor which will require aggressive cleaning to remove.
JohnW
Well-known member
When at the beach whether it is Ga, Fl or the islands, our accomodations 98% of the time been above the ground floor. In those cases I just put my camera backpack with the gear inside, outside on the balcony. Never have a problem with condensation. The one time I recall that I didn't, it took over 2 hrs for the camera to warm up and get rid of condensation.
I live on the outskirts of Houston (very high humidity during the summer) and we also keep our house very cool at night (usually 66-68*F...I'm a hot sleeper). I used to have horrible issues with condensation on hot humid mornings, but have now learned to use a hair dryer with tremendous success....
If I'm just stepping outside to take some photos in the morning (like on my morning walk), I will directly warm up the lens with the hair dryer. I keep the heat setting on low/medium when actually blowing on the lens and never stop moving it (be sure to also carefully warm up the viewfinder and LCD of the camera). This has worked great for several of my lenses.
If I'm driving somewhere (usually 30-45 mins) in my truck specifically to take photos....I usually have my entire backpack full of gear with me (GuraGear Kiboko 22L with 2 bodies and 5 lenses). In this scenario, I open up both main compartments of the backpack and use the same technique as above to warm up all of my gear evenly and carefully. Then, I turn the heat up a little and focus on the foam padding and edges of the backpack for a few minutes and then quickly zip everything up. The theory is the foam will store the heat and release it during my drive, slowly warming everything up inside. I've done this quite a few times, and it has worked perfectly every time!
Living in a hot, humid area can truly be a pain in the butt.
If I'm just stepping outside to take some photos in the morning (like on my morning walk), I will directly warm up the lens with the hair dryer. I keep the heat setting on low/medium when actually blowing on the lens and never stop moving it (be sure to also carefully warm up the viewfinder and LCD of the camera). This has worked great for several of my lenses.
If I'm driving somewhere (usually 30-45 mins) in my truck specifically to take photos....I usually have my entire backpack full of gear with me (GuraGear Kiboko 22L with 2 bodies and 5 lenses). In this scenario, I open up both main compartments of the backpack and use the same technique as above to warm up all of my gear evenly and carefully. Then, I turn the heat up a little and focus on the foam padding and edges of the backpack for a few minutes and then quickly zip everything up. The theory is the foam will store the heat and release it during my drive, slowly warming everything up inside. I've done this quite a few times, and it has worked perfectly every time!
Living in a hot, humid area can truly be a pain in the butt.
MorganP
Well-known member
A TRICK
30 to 45 Min or so before you shoot try this. Take 2 or 3 Hand warmer packs like you get from a hunting or outdoor store and follow directions on how to activate them . On the far end next to your lens hood place one or two rubber bands spaced 3/4" apart. Slide the hand warmers under the rubber bands flatten them out against the lens. Stick your rig back in you bag. This will keep you gear ready to go for hours.
I always have several in my camera bag with some rubber bands.
30 to 45 Min or so before you shoot try this. Take 2 or 3 Hand warmer packs like you get from a hunting or outdoor store and follow directions on how to activate them . On the far end next to your lens hood place one or two rubber bands spaced 3/4" apart. Slide the hand warmers under the rubber bands flatten them out against the lens. Stick your rig back in you bag. This will keep you gear ready to go for hours.
I always have several in my camera bag with some rubber bands.
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