Condensation on a Camera Lens: Why it happens and how to prevent it.

A camera is the ultimate summer accessory, but inclement weather can sometimes destroy your chances of the perfect shot! We don’t mean rain making your hair frizz or tan lines resulting in a less than picture-perfect appearance, we mean the effect weather can have on your equipment!

Humidity and condensation is a continuous concern for cameras, as a build-up of moisture behind the lens can quickly result in mold growth which is difficult to reverse and can easily destroy expensive equipment. At best, you will have a steamy, foggy camera lens that becomes useless until it’s completely dried out. However, it’s relatively simple to prevent.

Why Does Condensation Happen?

First of all, it’s important to understand how and why condensation happens. The key to this is Dew Point Temperature: the temperature at which humidity [water vapor in the air] will condense [become a visible liquid]. This can be found on most weather services and apps: here’s what it looks like on AccuWeather:

What this means is that to prevent any condensation forming, you need to keep your equipment consistently above the dew point temperature. That can be easier said than done. For example, stepping out from a cool air conditioned room into warm sunny environment, or vice versa – capturing photos of your ski trip outside in the snow and then taking your camera back into a warm, cozy lodge. Both of these examples result in a fast change in temperature affecting your equipment.  The easiest thing to do to prevent this having any impact on your gear is to ensure it is always protected from the elements.

How to Prevent Condensation on your Lens:

Before entering an environment that is drastically different to the one you’re currently in – as in the above examples – make sure that your camera is securely in its case or camera bag, and that the zippers are fully closed. Most camera bags are pretty heavily padded to prevent damage to your equipment as a result of knocks and bumps, but this padding also has an added benefit of offering insulation to your equipment, keeping it warm. The sample applies to the camera on your smartphone: many waterproof or water resistant cases will provide the same protection. Allow your equipment to acclimatise to its new environment over minutes or hours depending on the severity of the difference in temperature. When you’re satisfied that it’s at or above the dew point temperature, you can take it out of the bag and be satisfied knowing there’s no risk of blurry lens due to water vapour forming.

How to Treat Condensation on a Camera Lens:

Prevention is simple, but it requires patience and is all too easy to forget. So if it’s too late and you already have some fogginess built up on your lens, here’s what you can do.

1. Do not wipe the lens: the condensation has formed, and you need to wait for it to dissipate. Trying to clean it will just reduce in smears and smudges, rather than rid you of the water.

2. Put it in an airtight bag alongside a water-absorbing pouch, such as Concrobium Moisture Grabbers. http://concrobium.com/en-can/products/concrobium-moisture-grabbers-2/ This will wick the moisture away much quicker than leaving it evaporate naturally. The Moisture Grabbers will work to dry out all of the interior components of your equipment, resulting in a clear lens and better photographs, fast.

For more tips on protecting your belongings from moisture-related damage and equipment destroying mold, watch out for regularly updated articles on our blog and be sure to follow us on Facebook and on Twitter.

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