Camera Gear in Tropical Conditions

[optique]

I was thinking about a one week exploratory trip to Costa Rica (mainly coastal areas), where it is obviously high humidity and high temperature. This is my first trip. Main interest is landscape and people. Nature is obviously tempting but I don't have the glass for it.

To travel light, I was thinking about this kit:
1. Canon Elan 7 and 17-40mm L, 85mm Canon lens.
2. mini tripod, small pack for gear, lens clothes, cleaning fluid.
3. 2 extra sets batteries.
4. My usual tri x film
5. color film
6. Freezer bags for exposed film + descicant.

I guess my three questions are:
1. How well will my Tri X take a week of 12 hr stretches of essentially no a/c?
2. What color negative film would be appropriate to the trip and climate? (maybe they are all appropriate?)
3. Camera ok for climate?

Thanks.
Steve.

 

[archphoto]

Your Tri-X will survive that week and most color neg film too.
Temperatures will be somewhere in the low 30's, right ?

I live in Central Brazil and have had no problems with any camera or film, although the humidity is generaly lower here, 1000 km from the coast.
I would not worry too much, you are not going to the following places: the Amazon or the Middle East (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia has +40 Celcius).

Have a good trip !
Peter

 

[Photo Engineer]

Having been all over the tropics with cameras and film, I find that the biggest problem is erratic failure or operation of electronic cameras at high heat and humidity. The film will survive well for a week or so as long as you keep it out of direct sun or out of a closed car.

If you plan on doing processing, hypo is most affected by high temperatures and humidity. It can go bad literally in minutes if not packed properly.

PE

 

[optique]

@Archphoto: yes, highs should be in the +30C. range.

@Photo Engineer: Will keep film out of the sun, but it will still be hot! I wish I could develop there but I am attempting to travel light this first time.

I have not shot a lot of color before. What do people like for the tropics? Guess I better get in gear and test some color film.

Thanks for the replies.
steve.

 

[Q.G.]

While baking in the sun is bad for your film, it is good for your gear.
It will keep it dry, and free from corrosion and moulds.
So put it out to sun bathe whenever you can. But mind that it does not get too hot!

'Back home' isn't the only place in the world in which you can get your film processed.
Or if it is, Costa Rica too must have places where the Costa Ricans get their films processed.
Use those!

 

[darinwc]

Dont forget to pack a compact camera, film or digi.
1. you will prob want to have the option of color or bw.
2. if main camera goes bad you will at least be able to record something.

 

[BradS]

The Tri-X will be absolutely fine. It is probably the most robust film available. I'd be careful moving the camera in and out of the air conditioning - especially if there is appreciable (heat and) humidity outdoors but this really shouldn't be an issue in the coastal regions. The coastal regions are not that humid - and the EOS line is pretty robust. I've seen consumer P&S cameras die in three hours in the amazon river basin.

Your from Huston, so you know how the heat affects batteries...they'll cost twice as much there and sure as heck, they'll die at the most in-opportune time.

Personally, I'd consider taking a back up body if photography is an important aspect of the trip. If you do not, you need to be prepared for the camera to fail (or get stolen). Finally, you should not take anything that you would be heartbroken if it got lost, stolen or broken. Be prepared to enjoy the trip even without your camera (or, worse, lugging your broken camera/lens).

Most of all enjoy you trip. It is a lovely country.

 

[johnnywalker]

I always take some zip-loc plastic freezer bags and put the camera and lenses in them before going from the warm humid outside into an air-conditioned room, to avoid condensation on the camera. You can take it out of the bag once the temperature of the camera is the same as the room. Just leaving them in the camera bag might also work but the freezer bags are cheap and don't take up much space.
I've never had a problem with film in the tropics, but I always leave it in the fridge in the room - if there is one. If not, I still haven't had any problems, but I rarely shoot colour and if I do I have it developed locally.
There is a cloud forest near San Jose that is well worth the trip. I think it will be mentioned in any travel brochures.