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schwetty lenses

Brandon H

Brandon H

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When I take my RPP's from my hometown (5 miles from the ocean) out to dryer and hotter climates, when I open up my case (the compact red lens case) there's water on top of the lenses. Is this a normal condensation thing? Or are they crying?
 
Its normal in the situation you describe... but you should do something about it.

You don't really want that much condensation going on with your glass. Not long term. It is obviously OK so far, so short term its not an emergency or anything.

I'd suggest storing them in a dehumidified room at home. You might want to throw some silica packs in the case as well.

In fact this might be a good idea for all your gear- assuming it is or can be consolidated in an interior space with a reasonable weather seal.
 
I can't see how. It can't be condensation because condensation only occurs when relative humidity reaches dew point. This is possible only if you go from hot to cold and from dry to humid, never opposite. :hand:

As I said: the're crying. :cryin:
 
Pawel Achtel said:
I can't see how. It can't be condensation because condensation only occurs when relative humidity reaches dew point. This is possible only if you go from hot to cold and from dry to humid, never opposite. :hand:

As I said: the're crying. :cryin:
Click to expand...

I was puzzled for a minute too. Like you say it makes no sense. Of course they aren't crying.. so what is going on? Assuming the reported facts are true and accurate... there must be an explanation.

The humidity of the air in the case is reducing to match exterior conditions. This is because the air in the case is expanding, and as it reduces density, it can no longer hold water. So the water falls out of "solution." Its one of the odd effects of the triple points of water and air.

Since the case is closed, and apparently sufficiently water tight, the water comes out of the air in the case. I bet the case expands slightly too as pressure increases.

(That is a Pelican case right? If so it has a pressure relief valve. A watertight pressure release valve.)

If the case was open, there would be no condensation. Well, there might be... but probably on the windows of your vehicle. If the case was open and the windows of your vehicle were also open, then there would be no water condensation.

So... basically your lens case is acting like a dehumidifier as it exchanges air from back home with your new environment.

Its counter intuitive, but there it is.
 
Pawel Achtel said:
This is possible only if you go from hot to cold and from dry to humid, never opposite.
Click to expand...

Actually I think it's the opposite. If your gear sits in a camera truck overnight or on a plane or any cold climate and you then bring it into a warm environment, you'll have instant condensation. Similar to pulling a frosty mug out of a cooler, it cries as well. Best thing to do is use proper cases and desiccant (silica gel) packets and keep the lenses in the case until the temperature evens out a little bit.
 
They cry because they are sad that they don't have good witness marks like the german and english kids do.

Matt Uhry
www.mattuhry.com
 
Get out more Matt

Get out more Matt

Matthew Duclos said:
Actually I think it's the opposite. If your gear sits in a camera truck overnight or on a plane or any cold climate and you then bring it into a warm environment, you'll have instant condensation. Similar to pulling a frosty mug out of a cooler, it cries as well. Best thing to do is use proper cases and desiccant (silica gel) packets and keep the lenses in the case until the temperature evens out a little bit.
Click to expand...
Matt,
If you spend more time on sets you'd know that usually in the morning when you pull out a lens from a "warm" truck into cold morning outdoor the moisture inside (and out) the lens turns into water and sets on cold surfaces. Most of the time you'll see it on the inside of elements (and metal, really,you just can't see it so well) Thats because there is no air flow inside the lens to dry it out quickly.
Depending on the ambient temperature if you give it some time in the sun the condensation usually disappears- it is "absorbed" by the, now warmer, air inside the lens-again.
Same thing happens outside if there is enough moisture in the air inside the case- this is just a more extreme case. I'd recommend trying to keep the storage area dry with good ventilation and definitely "load" the case with silica packs and change them regularly. This is a routine with rental houses near the coastal areas...
Hope it helps....:thumbsup:
 
OptiTek said:
Matt,
If you spend more time on sets you'd know that usually in the morning when you pull out a lens from a "warm" truck into cold morning outdoor the moisture inside (and out) the lens turns into water and sets on cold surfaces. Most of the time you'll see it on the inside of elements (and metal, really,you just can't see it so well) Thats because there is no air flow inside the lens to dry it out quickly.
Depending on the ambient temperature if you give it some time in the sun the condensation usually disappears- it is "absorbed" by the, now warmer, air inside the lens-again.
Same thing happens outside if there is enough moisture in the air inside the case- this is just a more extreme case. I'd recommend trying to keep the storage area dry with good ventilation and definitely "load" the case with silica packs and change them regularly. This is a routine with rental houses near the coastal areas...
Hope it helps....:thumbsup:
Click to expand...

Of course. I never said it wasn't a two way reaction. But in my experience shooting outdoors in freezing temperatures, you want to avoid bringing cold lenses into a warm environment unless you want condensation.
 
Matt Uhry said:
They cry because they are sad that they don't have good witness marks like the german and english kids do.
Click to expand...

Speaking of witness marks, has Mr. Duclos come up with a solution and price to dress up the RPP's a bit?

Lenses and gear can also sweat or cry with changes in altitude. Additionally, it could even be a condition brought about by the foam in the case. How much moisture is within the air inside that case foam? Altitude changes can cause it to bleed out. 50% humidity at high altitude is less water in the air than 50% humidity at sea level.

Matthew Duclos said:
Of course. I never said it wasn't a two way reaction. But in my experience shooting outdoors in freezing temperatures, you want to avoid bringing cold lenses into a warm environment unless you want condensation.
Click to expand...

Most definitely. But what changes is the source of condensation. In this situation, it can often be of benefit to seal the gear inside a plastic bag before entering a warmer and more humid environment and then let the condensation collect on the outside of the plastic. Remove the lens once temperatures equalize. Just be sure the humidity outside is lower than that inside before doing this.
 
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