A friend of mine just asked me about going to West Virginia to go hiking in some super deep caves in June. I sent him a email back asking which ones and I'm waiting for answer. I have done some searching and found some caves there are nearly 700 feet deep. I'm wondering would I have any problems with condensation at that depth? If so would plastic bags wrapped around my camera keep them safe?
Thanks! I'm sure this has got to be a odd ball question.
I shot some caves in MO last summer. There is lots of water in there both running on the ground, dripping from the walls and ceiling and humidity in the air. It only became a problem for me when we started on our way back up. There was some condensation on the lens at one point and really no way to wipe it or blow it dry. I just waited for the camera to warm back up a little then went on with the clicking. There was no damage to my camera.
Anything you wrap in plastic will be double edged. IF any moisture gets in it will have a tough time getting out.
Will there be any ambient light? If so take a tripod for some time exposures. Use a flash some too and see what gives the best results.
fog alert...
“Amateurs worry about equipment, professionals worry about money, masters worry about light, I just make pictures… ” ~ Vernon Trent
I used to go spelunking many years ago in & around Franklin West Virginia...Took my old film camera with me but haven't a clue where the shots are now...DSLR's (especially entry level models, are not weather sealed like the pro models are. You can use a plastic bag, or if you have extra cash, get an underwater housing for the best protection
A clear pastic back wrapped around the camera with an elastic band at the end of the lens, so only the end of the lens is outside the bag, it will give some protection, but you will need to carry a cloth or lens tissues to keep the lens clean.
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"A good photograph is one that communicate a fact, touches the heart, leaves the viewer a changed person for having seen it. It is, in a word, effective." - Irving Penn
Screamin Scott wrote: I used to go spelunking many years ago in & around Franklin West Virginia...Took my old film camera with me but haven't a clue where the shots are now...DSLR's (especially entry level models, are not weather sealed like the pro models are. You can use a plastic bag, or if you have extra cash, get an underwater housing for the best protection
Man, but those underwater housings are so darn expensive!
I would recommend going into wet & humid caves with the Pentax K20D / K-7 / K-5 with a Pentax WR lens. They are the worlds best sealed cameras. Here are some photos.
nanhi wrote: I would recommend going into wet & humid caves with the Pentax K20D / K-7 / K-5 with a Pentax WR lens. They are the worlds best sealed cameras. Here are some photos.
I have done many primitive cave trips and have found dirt in places pigs have not thought of, and my clothes, packs, lights; everything! Taking in your expensive equipment into a cave you have never been in before can be asking for trouble. Find out the name of the cave you are going to and do some research on it yourself. Google images of the place, look on flicker, smugmug etc and see what others have shot. With the internet you can find the conditions of many caves, if it is a wheelchair assessable cave, bring the camera, if not consider a waterproof disposable for you first visit.
Hey Moe, don't fell bad for those cameras. They can take all the dust, dirt, rain and snow thrown at them. I went with my Pentax K20D behind the Niagara falls and also very very close to the falls in the Canadian side in the "Maid of the Mist" ship - terrible gusty & windy spray - soaks your skin. I just went on wiping my filter and shooting. The shots are a bit fuzzy due to the water smear on the filter, the foggy spray, and the dancing ship. All the Canikon DSLR
chaps were in awe of my camera when they had packed up theirs.[/b] In fact some P&S cameras were pretty busy
When a camera is said to have a weather proof seal, what exactly does this mean guys and gals? Would that keep moisure out, and if so, what about the seal between the lens and camera?
Oh ho my friend Francis, if I get sand and dust on my Pentax K20D, I just clean it 'carefully & quickly' under a running tap with an air-shower head. That is what the seals on my camera & lens allow me to do. The coating on the lens is very special - scratch & smudge resistant - water just slips down it. But I always keep an SMC (super multi coated) Pentax filter on my lens as an extra precaution.
My God Sir, I have given you ( photos above of the K20D - tortured under the most camera unfriendly conditions.
Hey Francis, let me know if you want a video of my K20D under a running tap. The seals just don't keep moisture out but water, dust, dirt and sand. But please do understand, you can't take the K20D swimming with you. Also one should not over-do the sand and rain thing. It would be madness.
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photos above of the K20D - tortured under the most camera unfriendly conditions.
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