Camera Fogging

[the_cat_keeper]

Hi,

I took my Canon S1 IS under water last weekend. The camera housing kept fogging up. This was the first time my camera fogged. I had used it in another trip 2 months ago without having this problem. For both trips, the temperature of the water was about 28degC and ambient temperature were similar at approx. 30degC.

Why does the camera fog up and what's a good way to prevent it from happening? The fogging was so bad that my buddies thought it had flooded!

Many thanks in advance!

 

[rje634]

First let me say that I am by no means an accomplished UW photographer. I am just passing along some tips from an really good UW photographer that have worked well for me.

First whenever possible put your camera in the housing while your in a dry cool area to stop any water or humid air trapped in the housing. Second but some desicant capsules aka moisture munchers and place them inside the case. Give it a shot, worked for me....

 

[fdog]

Briefly, if the camera, or housing, is colder than the dew point, water vapor in the air will condense onto the camera in droplet form. This looks like fogging. In very humid, hot conditions, the dew point may be only 3 or 4 degrees C away.

Did you have it overnight in an air conditioned (cooled) room? Taking a cold camera (or housing) out into warm humid air will cause condensation.

The reverse can be true. A housing sealed in hot, humid air traps that moisture-laden air inside. If you hop into colder water, the condensation can occur.

Providing you have the space in the housing, the dessicant does work well, although I've had it fail with large-domed housings, and some new housings barely have room for the camera, let alone the dessicant case. I usually balance the temperatures, humidity etc. and get good results.

For example, if I'm in a tropical setting, with warm, wet air,and water temps close to the air temps, I will leave the cameras and housings out in the warm while I sleep in cold air conditioning and not bother with dessicant. For the same tropical air, with colder water, I'll keep it indoors in air conditioning, use dessicant, and make sure it's sealed for the transit to the water. It will then condense on the outside only.

All the best, James

 

[alcina]

I know the canon housings can be a snug fit...not sure about your particular model, but I slip a dessicant pack in with the A20 & A70 in front, next to the hand grip...seems to fit perfectly there. Just make sure that the little pack isn't blocking the zoom, lens etc...good luck.

 

[the_cat_keeper]

Hi, All,

thanks for the tips... I'll try fitting a dessicant pack in the housing for my next trip.

 

[fins]

Hi, All,

thanks for the tips... I'll try fitting a dessicant pack in the housing for my next trip.

You can also purge your second stage into the camera housing for 10 seconds or so. The dry air from your tank will remove any moisture from the inside of the housing.

 

[seabat]

I recently had the same problem with my S&S D3000. Changed the dessicant pack as recommeded by others and no more fogging.

S&S makes a flat tube dessicant that fits in the 1/8 inch space between the camera bottom and the housing. They come in a pack of 4 and might be an option for your camera set up.

 

[the_cat_keeper]

You can also purge your second stage into the camera housing for 10 seconds or so. The dry air from your tank will remove any moisture from the inside of the housing.

I'll do that too... thanks

 

[dmichael]

I have just changed to the A75 and underwater housing but I used to have the Sony P10 and underwater housing . In the housing pack came a small tube of anti-fog which worked great . Just a tiny drop was required and keeps the lense area fog free for a long time .

 

[the_cat_keeper]

I have just changed to the A75 and underwater housing but I used to have the Sony P10 and underwater housing . In the housing pack came a small tube of anti-fog which worked great . Just a tiny drop was required and keeps the lense area fog free for a long time .

Seems like only the anti-fog solution only comes with the Sony Cybershot models? A friend happened to use the Sony camera and sang praises of the solution... we tried and it did reduce the fogging to a large extent... but unfortunately not completely.

The fogging was so bad that some folks on the dive trip thought my camera had flooded! I had a bad fright...