The second most common reason photographers come back empty-handed from their adventures is that they are scared of damaging their gear (reason number one is that the camera stayed in their backpack the whole time). While some damage is prett y much inevitable if you are taking your camera into the mountains day aft er day, you’d be surprised at how much you can throw at even entry-level cameras before they completely give up. Here are a few tips on how to protect your kit in the wilderness:
1/ The number one killer is humidity and condensation. The only time I will really st op shooting is in heavy rain, but fog and drizzle can also be dangerous to the electronics. Snow, on the other hand, is completely fine.
2/ Dropping a camera is a definite possibility. Having lost a Nikon D700 and a 70-200mm lens, I now attach a simple safety leash to my strap and climbing harness or backpack. You can make one with two small carabiners and a piece of cord, or get the smart Peak Design Leash system (which doubles as a camera st rap).
3/ Lens front elements do get scratched. I use clear UV filters and lens hoods. On the other hand, I never bother with lens caps, as they always end up at the bottom of a mountain.
4/ Very low temperatures are never an issue, as long as I have a few spare batteries I can keep warm (usually in an inside pocket, close to my body). Temperatures will need to drop to at least -30ºC before shutters begin to freeze and electronics fail. By then, you’ll probably have other things to worry about.
5/ Going from cold to warm and humid (typically entering a heated building) too quickly will create condensation, which can be nasty. Make sure you warm the camera slowly; consider putting it in a sealed plastic bag. Also, try not to go back out into the cold while condensation is st ill present, or it can freeze.
6/ If you’re shooting in humid environments, especially close to the sea, watch out for corrosion. Store your equipment in sealed bags with silicate gel packets. If you happen to drop your camera in saltwater, rinse it liberally with clear water and let it dry, with the card and battery removed, for a few days. They usually survive.
1/ The number one killer is humidity and condensation. The only time I will really st op shooting is in heavy rain, but fog and drizzle can also be dangerous to the electronics. Snow, on the other hand, is completely fine.
2/ Dropping a camera is a definite possibility. Having lost a Nikon D700 and a 70-200mm lens, I now attach a simple safety leash to my strap and climbing harness or backpack. You can make one with two small carabiners and a piece of cord, or get the smart Peak Design Leash system (which doubles as a camera st rap).
3/ Lens front elements do get scratched. I use clear UV filters and lens hoods. On the other hand, I never bother with lens caps, as they always end up at the bottom of a mountain.
4/ Very low temperatures are never an issue, as long as I have a few spare batteries I can keep warm (usually in an inside pocket, close to my body). Temperatures will need to drop to at least -30ºC before shutters begin to freeze and electronics fail. By then, you’ll probably have other things to worry about.
5/ Going from cold to warm and humid (typically entering a heated building) too quickly will create condensation, which can be nasty. Make sure you warm the camera slowly; consider putting it in a sealed plastic bag. Also, try not to go back out into the cold while condensation is st ill present, or it can freeze.
6/ If you’re shooting in humid environments, especially close to the sea, watch out for corrosion. Store your equipment in sealed bags with silicate gel packets. If you happen to drop your camera in saltwater, rinse it liberally with clear water and let it dry, with the card and battery removed, for a few days. They usually survive.
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