Jethers203 0 #1 December 17, 2003 What are the main causes of water vapor damage to a camera? I have a PC-105 in a D-Box on the side of my helmet and have not yet sealed the lens connection point with gaffers tape. How necessary is this to do, and what are some other tips you all can give me to prolong the life of my camera? Clint D-24352 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quade 4 #2 December 17, 2003 Quote What are the main causes of water vapor damage to a camera? There are two major issues: condensation and rain. Depending on where you live, condensation could be a daily issue or could be one that you only need to worry about when traveling. At my home DZ in the desert of southern California, I rarely have to worry about condensation. About the only time it's an issue for me is when we get a little too close to a cloud and even then I'm only worried about it fogging the lens and not really about any damage to the camera itself. For other people, especially those in Florida, it's a daily issue. Sensors inside the camera might shut the camera down if it detects too much. Still, there's little you can actually do about that issue other than trying to keep the camera warm before jumping. As for fogging, Cat Crap works wonders. As for rain, try to stay out of it as much as possible. At 120 mph, there's little you can really do to stop water from pushing it's way in other than the common sense issues of putting your camera in an enclosure of some sort. Still, even at that, water can push its way inside the camera through just about any non-waterproof seam. Again, avoid jumping in those conditions that are more prone to rain. Generally speaking if you jump through 4,000 feet or more of clouds, you can almost guarantee that you'll get wet. You might consider refusing the jump.quade - The World's Most Boring Skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
marks 0 #3 December 17, 2003 QuoteWhat are the main causes of water vapor damage to a camera? I have a PC-105 in a D-Box on the side of my helmet and have not yet sealed the lens connection point with gaffers tape. How necessary is this to do, and what are some other tips you all can give me to prolong the life of my camera? Clint D-24352 dont worry about it... never had a problem.. although have heard som say that the camera will shut off for a small amount of time... soposedly there is a moisture sensor in them that will shut them down... keep the camera from outside of the plane on the climb to alt.. keep it out of the wind... keep it warm.. this will reduce the tendancy for water vapor or moisture condensation to buildup in the camera as you get to lower alt in freefall... most of this condensation has really only happened to me on hot humid summer days when it is cooll at alt.. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
koz2000 1 #4 December 17, 2003 I have had my camera shut off due to mositure. (a protective feature of the camera). If you open the camera up and let it dry out it will function properly. As was said earlier, I would definitely avoid rain or large clouds, (and ponds, lakes, oceans, etc...) I know some people in humid areas use a d-box as well as a camera condom and this helps for most situations. D______________________________________________ - Does this small canopy make my balls look big? - J. Hayes - Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndyMan 7 #5 December 17, 2003 Quotedont worry about it... never had a problem.. It's great that you don't have a problem, but for many of us it is quite a major issue. In Chicago, my PC120 will regularly shut off on jumprun due to the cold temperatures at altitude causing the moist ground air in the camera unit to condense. It took me quite some time to adequately troubleshoot the problem, but adding a 'Camera Condom' seemed to have solved the problem, at least for now. I don't jump in rain, so there's little benefit to sealing the gaps in the camera. _Am__ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jethers203 0 #6 December 19, 2003 Thanks for all the replies. I appreciate everyones input. Clint D-24352 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
marks 0 #7 December 19, 2003 QuoteQuotedont worry about it... never had a problem.. It's great that you don't have a problem, but for many of us it is quite a major issue. In Chicago, my PC120 will regularly shut off on jumprun due to the cold temperatures at altitude causing the moist ground air in the camera unit to condense. It took me quite some time to adequately troubleshoot the problem, but adding a 'Camera Condom' seemed to have solved the problem, at least for now. I don't jump in rain, so there's little benefit to sealing the gaps in the camera. _Am i jump in ga and florida... and never had this problem.... i keep my camera out of the wind and coldtill the last minute..... now i have had the lense get condensation real bad.... also ive seen some peaple on the same day have lots of problems and i didnt have any... but mine is in a box so that may be helping... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
