#1 Tip To Avoid Frying Your Camera

Summer is quickly on it’s way and that means, VACATIONS! No school and lots of sun, parties, beach trips… wonderful. This also means that, most likely, your camera is going to be taking a beating. It will be strapped to your neck at the amusement park, in your bag at the beach, next to your lounge chair at the pool, or next to your plate at a family BBQ. No matter where you take your camera this summer, make sure you take these precautionary steps to protect your investment, your camera.

Cold to Hot

With the temperatures rising, most people starting cranking the AC in their homes, cars, workplaces, etc. Although this is wonderful for us, it is dangerous for our cameras. Think about it. What happens to your cold drink glass as soon as you step outside when it’s hot? It develops condensation. The same thing can happen to your camera. If your camera is stored in a cold place and then you take it directly outside into a hot and/or humid climate, without giving the surface temperature of your camera time to acclimate, you can develop condensation. Now, depending on the hot/cold temperature extremes, the condensation build up could be anything from a minor fog developing on your lens to serious moisture build-up inside your camera body. This is not a good thing. If you can, keep your camera in a waterproof camera bag at all times. When you move to a location where the temperature has changed, unzip your bag a bit and let it sit. Stick your hand in the bag every few minutes until you think the interior temperature is the same at the exterior. If it is, feel free to start shooting to your hearts content.

Hot to Cold

The same goes for moving from hot to cold temperatures. Don’t jump in your car after a hot day at the beach, crank your AC, and leave your camera sitting un-protected on the seat next to you. Put your camera back in it’s protective bag, leave it unzipped just a bit, and give it time to acclimate.

*In winter months this is even more important. Condensation can freeze in or on your camera and create serious issues. Always give you camera a safe, waterproof place to adjust.