Ughhhh! Moisture inside lens

FunkyMonk · 08-13-2010, 11:14 AM

I have moisture on the inside of my 70-200 Sigma. I took it outside from the air conditioning yesterday evening and it fogged up. I let it sit in my camera bag overnight with a few gel packs and a cloth but still no luck yet. Any suggestions?

Adam · 08-13-2010, 11:22 AM - **1 Like**

Try leaving it outside of your bag and place the silica gel near the openings. That cound potentially allow the moisture to evaporate.

Votesh · 08-13-2010, 12:16 PM

If I were you I'd buy one of the countainers of dessicant used to dehumidify closets and basements(most hardware stores should have them), and I'd put it and the lens in an airtight container together. That would be a sure bet to dry it out if it's gonna happen. If that doesn't work it'll probably need a trip to a repair place.

Nowhere Matt · 08-13-2010, 12:21 PM - **1 Like**

Or a in a container and cover the lens with uncooked rice. It worked for my sister in law's cell phone when it fell in the pool.

**dadipentak** · 08-13-2010, 12:21 PM

I suspect this is not a major issue and that putting it out in the sun on a warm dry day would probably resolve it. I do that from time to time with all my lenses since humidity is a chronic issue here.

Nowhere Matt · 08-13-2010, 12:46 PM

Originally posted by dadipentak

I suspect this is not a major issue and that putting it out in the sun on a warm dry day would probably resolve it. I do that from time to time with all my lenses since humidity is a chronic issue here.

That worked for my digital pedometer when it fell in the pool.

We really should stop drinking beside the pool.

**dadipentak** · 08-13-2010, 03:44 PM

Originally posted by Nowhere Matt

That worked for my digital pedometer when it fell in the pool.

We really should stop drinking beside the pool.

Nah, give up walking around the pool ;~)

**interested_observer** · 08-13-2010, 06:16 PM

Originally posted by FunkyMonk

I have moisture on the inside of my 70-200 Sigma. I took it outside from the air conditioning yesterday evening and it fogged up. I let it sit in my camera bag overnight with a few gel packs and a cloth but still no luck yet. Any suggestions?

I had this happen to me a couple of years ago in Hawaii. I let it bake out in the sun, and everything was fine...

KxBlaze · 08-13-2010, 06:43 PM

Air tight I think is the key here. There is natural moisture in the air so if you have it in an air tight conatiner with a dehumidifier, I think that will solve your problem.

wlachan · 08-13-2010, 09:57 PM

Gel packs will work only if in sealed environment. Seal the lens and packs in a ziplock bag for a week will do.

hcc · 08-14-2010, 12:41 AM

Originally posted by dadipentak

I suspect this is not a major issue and that putting it out in the sun on a warm dry day would probably resolve it. I do that from time to time with all my lenses since humidity is a chronic issue here.

+1
Put your lens in the sun for 1-2 hours (without caps!) and it will do the trick. More generally it works with most electronics as long as you leave the doors/opening opened.

**dadipentak** · 08-14-2010, 04:23 AM

Originally posted by dadipentak

I suspect this is not a major issue and that putting it out in the sun on a warm dry day would probably resolve it. I do that from time to time with all my lenses since humidity is a chronic issue here.

HOWEVER: with an older lens that may have seen service in dirty air conditions (dusty roads & smoky clubs), this episode might leave water-spots (but that means it was due for serious cleaning anyway.)

tibbitts · 08-14-2010, 03:50 PM

I dropped my lens in a stream. It worked fine but there was a haze on the interior elements. At the time, it was not much more to buy a new lens than to have it cleaned, so I went that route.

I'm not sure every surface can be cleaned in some modern lenses, because some of the elements may be combined together in modules that might be permanently assembled, but not quite water-tight.

Paul

philbaum · 08-14-2010, 04:00 PM

I bought a 50mm lens off ebay, and due to my error, it sat in a mailbox for 6 days with snow on the ground. opened the package and moisture inside the lens.

took the wife's hairdryer and carefully warmed the lens in my hand while waving the hair dryer at it with the other hand. constantly rolling it in my hand ensured an even warming, i think.

Anyway, started seeing the fogged area reduce in size, over 30 minutes or so and then it was gone. no residue left that i could see. Still have it and it works fine.

yanzhi0714 · 10-26-2010, 05:13 AM

Hello, may I know is the silica gel packs safe to use?

I've got some from a South Korean seller on ebay and hope it doesnt include the blue-> pink indicators (cobalt chloride)

Thanks

08-13-2010, 11:14 AM	#1
FunkyMonk Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Alexander City, AL Photos: Gallery Posts: 67	Ughhhh! Moisture inside lens I have moisture on the inside of my 70-200 Sigma. I took it outside from the air conditioning yesterday evening and it fogged up. I let it sit in my camera bag overnight with a few gel packs and a cloth but still no luck yet. Any suggestions?

08-13-2010, 11:22 AM - 1 Like	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,597	Try leaving it outside of your bag and place the silica gel near the openings. That cound potentially allow the moisture to evaporate. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

08-14-2010, 04:00 PM	#14
philbaum Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Port Townsend, Washington State, USA Posts: 3,659	This works I bought a 50mm lens off ebay, and due to my error, it sat in a mailbox for 6 days with snow on the ground. opened the package and moisture inside the lens. took the wife's hairdryer and carefully warmed the lens in my hand while waving the hair dryer at it with the other hand. constantly rolling it in my hand ensured an even warming, i think. Anyway, started seeing the fogged area reduce in size, over 30 minutes or so and then it was gone. no residue left that i could see. Still have it and it works fine.

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08-13-2010, 12:16 PM	#3
Votesh Inactive Account Join Date: Apr 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 817	If I were you I'd buy one of the countainers of dessicant used to dehumidify closets and basements(most hardware stores should have them), and I'd put it and the lens in an airtight container together. That would be a sure bet to dry it out if it's gonna happen. If that doesn't work it'll probably need a trip to a repair place.

08-13-2010, 12:21 PM - 1 Like	#4
Nowhere Matt Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Nowhere Land Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,362	Or a in a container and cover the lens with uncooked rice. It worked for my sister in law's cell phone when it fell in the pool.

08-13-2010, 12:21 PM	#5
dadipentak Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Baltimore, Maryland Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,590	I suspect this is not a major issue and that putting it out in the sun on a warm dry day would probably resolve it. I do that from time to time with all my lenses since humidity is a chronic issue here.

08-13-2010, 12:46 PM	#6
Nowhere Matt Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Nowhere Land Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,362	Originally posted by dadipentak I suspect this is not a major issue and that putting it out in the sun on a warm dry day would probably resolve it. I do that from time to time with all my lenses since humidity is a chronic issue here. That worked for my digital pedometer when it fell in the pool. We really should stop drinking beside the pool.

08-13-2010, 03:44 PM	#7
dadipentak Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Baltimore, Maryland Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,590	Originally posted by Nowhere Matt That worked for my digital pedometer when it fell in the pool. We really should stop drinking beside the pool. Nah, give up walking around the pool ;~)

08-13-2010, 06:16 PM	#8
interested_observer Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Tumbleweed, Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,707	Originally posted by FunkyMonk I have moisture on the inside of my 70-200 Sigma. I took it outside from the air conditioning yesterday evening and it fogged up. I let it sit in my camera bag overnight with a few gel packs and a cloth but still no luck yet. Any suggestions? I had this happen to me a couple of years ago in Hawaii. I let it bake out in the sun, and everything was fine...

08-13-2010, 06:43 PM	#9
KxBlaze Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: California Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,602	Air tight I think is the key here. There is natural moisture in the air so if you have it in an air tight conatiner with a dehumidifier, I think that will solve your problem.

08-13-2010, 09:57 PM	#10
wlachan Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Canada Photos: Albums Posts: 2,625	Gel packs will work only if in sealed environment. Seal the lens and packs in a ziplock bag for a week will do.

08-14-2010, 12:41 AM	#11
hcc Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,004	Originally posted by dadipentak I suspect this is not a major issue and that putting it out in the sun on a warm dry day would probably resolve it. I do that from time to time with all my lenses since humidity is a chronic issue here. +1 Put your lens in the sun for 1-2 hours (without caps!) and it will do the trick. More generally it works with most electronics as long as you leave the doors/opening opened.

08-14-2010, 04:23 AM	#12
dadipentak Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Baltimore, Maryland Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,590	Originally posted by dadipentak I suspect this is not a major issue and that putting it out in the sun on a warm dry day would probably resolve it. I do that from time to time with all my lenses since humidity is a chronic issue here. HOWEVER: with an older lens that may have seen service in dirty air conditions (dusty roads & smoky clubs), this episode might leave water-spots (but that means it was due for serious cleaning anyway.)

08-14-2010, 03:50 PM	#13
tibbitts Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Oklahoma USA Posts: 2,196	I dropped my lens in a stream. It worked fine but there was a haze on the interior elements. At the time, it was not much more to buy a new lens than to have it cleaned, so I went that route. I'm not sure every surface can be cleaned in some modern lenses, because some of the elements may be combined together in modules that might be permanently assembled, but not quite water-tight. Paul

10-26-2010, 05:13 AM	#15
yanzhi0714 Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Melbourne Posts: 42	Hello, may I know is the silica gel packs safe to use? I've got some from a South Korean seller on ebay and hope it doesnt include the blue-> pink indicators (cobalt chloride) Thanks