Avoding summertime condensation - moving from AC'd house to car to site

[Todd Barlow]

Hi, I am looking for some advice, and let me state that I am fairly new to 4x5 and I live in Southern Ontario.

During my first real outing with the 4x5:
I stored my kit in a backpack in the finshed but air conditioned basement.
I moved it to the AC'd car and drive to my site.
I set up the tripod and then mounted my Crown Graphic.
I opened the door to pull out the front standard and then I saw the condensation form on the lens.
It took 20 minutes or so for it to clear.
When I returned I leaft everying thing inside the backpack for about 6 hours before I removed the film to develop it.

What do you do to avoid this situation?
-travel to site with the car AC off
-travel with the lens/ lensboard in a ziploc
-travel with the film in a ziploc
-how long would you have to leave the lens and film in the ziploc's once outside an AC'd area (I realize that there are many variables to this answer but put me in the ball park if you could)

Thanks in advance for your help

Todd

 

[Todd Barlow]

Can't correct spelling of "Avoding" in the title - sorry

 

[bernard_L]

It's the temperature difference alone that causes condensation; specifically the lens (or film) being below the dew point of on-site air. Only the first precaution (travel to site with the car AC off) will be effective.

 

[Alan Gales]

Of course you will still get condensation on the lens in the hot car. It will probably evaporate before you get to your location though.

Here in St. Louis in our botanical gardens we have what is called the Climatron. It's a geodesic dome that houses plants from the rainforest. Every time you go in there your lenses and glasses will fog up. I just wipe them off and shoot.

 

[gone]

Don't put the lens/camera in a ziploc, because you might end up w/ condensation inside the lens/camera. It's best to let everything breathe. I wouldn't worry too much about it, it's probably been happening to your camera for 40 or 50 years already. Just wipe the condensation off the lens w/ a clean lens cloth. No need to wait for it to clear up. You might try lightly taping a porous piece of foam over the lens when not in use. Something like you have on your headphones. That might prevent the problem (think of it as insulation).

 

[natelfo]

I live in Georgia, which gets very hot and insanely humid. To prevent condensation, I throw my gear in the tunk a little while before leaving, and I leave the bag unzipped with the locking straps holding the bag closed, that way warm air can enter the bag at a slow pace. Another option would be to set the bag outside for a while before leaving, partially open, then zip up before departing. You want to let the camera and film slowly change temperature. Keeping the gear in ziplock bags is not such a great idea, except for the film holders, I keep mine in anti-static (ESD) zip lock bags, primarily to keep dust off of them.

 

[Alan Klein]

Since it took 20 minutes for the condensation to clear on your lens, I'd say it should remain in the ziplock for about the same time. That way the equipment will warm up to the same outside temperature after you leave the AC'd car and no condensation will form when you open the ziplock.