How should I protect a DSLR when photographing in a very humid, wet cave?
Asked 12/18/2010
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I may have a chance to do a guided cave tour and would like to bring my Nikon D3100. Caves can be nearly 100% humidity, with dripping water and condensation. What protection should I use for my camera and lens, and what precautions should I take before entering so I don’t damage the gear?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
15y ago
2 Answers
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Frankly, it'd be worth investing in one of those Ewa-Marine "baggies" if you're actually expecting constant wetness (they're around a hundred bucks). You can go for a stash of chammy-style wipes as well (the camera will be a lot easier to handle naked when you can), but they can only get you so far. Depending on the cave, there will be areas with almost constant dripping condensation, and it's not just water that's coming down; there is a lot of corrosive mineral content as well. It's easier to keep it out of the camera and lenses than it is to get it out after the fact. You won't need to go as far as a solid housing, but you'll probably want something studier than a sandwich bag and a UV filter (the McGuyver kit for ordinary rain).
Oh, and a general tip: there's never enough flash for what you want to do. A couple of slave units never hurt anybody.
Originally by user2719. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user2719
15y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
High humidity alone is less of a problem than actual water, dripping condensation, and mineral-laden moisture. For cave tours, use a proper rain/underwater-style soft housing or waterproof camera bag cover rather than a simple plastic bag. The goal is to keep water and mineral deposits out of the camera and lens, because they’re much easier to prevent than to clean out later.
Bring absorbent wipes or a chamois-style cloth so you can dry the exterior when needed, but don’t rely on that alone if conditions are constantly wet.
A key precaution: make sure your camera isn’t colder than the cave air when you enter. If the gear has been cooled by car A/C or otherwise chilled, moisture can condense immediately on it. Let it warm closer to ambient temperature before going in.
In short: protect against dripping water and condensation with a real cover/housing, wipe the exterior as needed, and avoid bringing in cold gear.
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