Moisture/"fog" in camera between lenses
#1
12-22-04, 12:53 PM
Moisture/"fog" in camera between lenses
I have a Fuji Zoom/Date 140 35mm camera (one of the small automatic cameras now available) and there is moisture/fog on the inside of the lens. Specifically, the lens has at least two glass lenses, one at the very front and one at the back (by the film). I can see moisture/condensation/fog on the inside of the lens - by the film, but on the INSIDE, between the two glass lenses.
HELP
How do I get rid of this? Will heating up the camera do it?
Any suggestions?
Thanks!
HELP
How do I get rid of this? Will heating up the camera do it?
Any suggestions?
Thanks!
#2
12-22-04, 08:14 PM
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A dry Box a Must.
I keep all my equipment but what I plan on using this week, in a 30mm Cannon ammo metal box with a rubber seal. I put inside, the middle size rebakeable lifetime Desecatant gel crystals inside the box.
This creates a super dry condition inside that will suck the mousture out of all cameras & lenses, even leather. A soft bag/backpack is great for carry, but a dry box is a must for any Photographer when not shooting for 2 or more weeks. A 50 Cal or a slim 30 Cal metal ammo box will work for the one body 2 or 3 lenses, filters, flash unit shooters.
Do a ( www.google.com ) search on how to protect your equipment when going from a warm house to the cold outdoors & visa versa. Keeping it out is easier than getting it out.
This creates a super dry condition inside that will suck the mousture out of all cameras & lenses, even leather. A soft bag/backpack is great for carry, but a dry box is a must for any Photographer when not shooting for 2 or more weeks. A 50 Cal or a slim 30 Cal metal ammo box will work for the one body 2 or 3 lenses, filters, flash unit shooters.
Do a ( www.google.com ) search on how to protect your equipment when going from a warm house to the cold outdoors & visa versa. Keeping it out is easier than getting it out.
Last edited by marturo; 12-25-04 at 09:12 PM.
#3
12-23-04, 09:41 AM
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To get rid of this, I would very much recommend you take the lens to a shop for repair. I doubt this is something you want to try to fix yourself.
Chris
Chris
#5
12-29-04, 05:42 AM
Super Moderator
There may not be anything seriously wrong with your camera
By looking at the way your camera lens extends I doubt very much that the lens seals could take a very large humidity differential.
You don't say where you are located but if you are allowing the camera to get cold and then bring it into a warm location, as the camera warms up it will draw moist room air into the body where it will condense on the glass.
This can even happen to expensive cameras if they are not treated properly in cold climates.
I have had my camera bodies get as cold as -20 degF but you must take are when they are brought indoors.
The best solution is what Marturo has offered.
Do what you will outside, but before bringing the camera indoors, put it into a well sealed container and let the camera warm up in it.
Even a well sealed freezer bag will do it.
To try to remove the moisture that is already there a warm place might do it.
I have warmed up delicate items by setting my oven to 300 degF and placing the camera ON TOP OF THE STOVE, NOT IN THE OVEN, for several hours.
Image credit: amazon.com
Let us know if this works.
You don't say where you are located but if you are allowing the camera to get cold and then bring it into a warm location, as the camera warms up it will draw moist room air into the body where it will condense on the glass.
This can even happen to expensive cameras if they are not treated properly in cold climates.
I have had my camera bodies get as cold as -20 degF but you must take are when they are brought indoors.
The best solution is what Marturo has offered.
Do what you will outside, but before bringing the camera indoors, put it into a well sealed container and let the camera warm up in it.
Even a well sealed freezer bag will do it.
To try to remove the moisture that is already there a warm place might do it.
I have warmed up delicate items by setting my oven to 300 degF and placing the camera ON TOP OF THE STOVE, NOT IN THE OVEN, for several hours.
Image credit: amazon.com
Let us know if this works.
Last edited by GregH; 12-29-04 at 07:31 PM.
#6
12-30-04, 12:55 PM
Just reread the original post. Shinrich didn't say if the problem existed all the time, if it was always there, of even how he first noticed it. We all jumped to the conclusion he was going from cold to warm.
This is an inexpensive camera. There may never be a good seal on this lens. The precautions suggested by Marturo and Greg should be followed.
But I would like additional info from shinrich. How did he notice it? How old is the camera? Did it always have this problem? Did he/she look at the rear of the of te lens or just guessing by looking through the front? Was the camera ever dropped?
How do the pictures look with this fog?
This is an inexpensive camera. There may never be a good seal on this lens. The precautions suggested by Marturo and Greg should be followed.
But I would like additional info from shinrich. How did he notice it? How old is the camera? Did it always have this problem? Did he/she look at the rear of the of te lens or just guessing by looking through the front? Was the camera ever dropped?
How do the pictures look with this fog?
#7
01-03-05, 05:30 AM
Answers to BobF's questions
The camera is about 2 years old. It did NOT have this problem at first. It only had this problem recently. My guess is that the mositure got there when I was cleaning the camera - the from automatic lens cap would not work properly (It would not open and close all the way) - I think sand got into it. So I used so alcohol to clean out the cap area - I think that is where the mositure came from. I can see what sure looks like condensation on the inside of the rear lens element when I open up where the film goes.
Pictures from the camera seem to taken through a fog.
Yesterday I opened up the camera and sit it ON TOP of the oven while it was on for several hours. Every once and a while I would zoom the lens in and out. I still see this "fog" and did not notice any change.
And yes, the camera was dropped at least once. All the internal mechanisms work fine. It is just all the pictures are taken as if through a fog.
Any other suggestions?
Pictures from the camera seem to taken through a fog.
Yesterday I opened up the camera and sit it ON TOP of the oven while it was on for several hours. Every once and a while I would zoom the lens in and out. I still see this "fog" and did not notice any change.
And yes, the camera was dropped at least once. All the internal mechanisms work fine. It is just all the pictures are taken as if through a fog.
Any other suggestions?
#8
01-03-05, 06:04 AM
Given the new info, I stand by my original response.
This camera needs professional repair. I don't know how much it will be to fix, but it will probably be almost as much (if not more) than what a new camera would cost. At this point we can't even be sure its moisture. If sand did get into it, the lens may be scratched.
Contact a Fuji repair center and get their estimate on the repair cost.
This camera needs professional repair. I don't know how much it will be to fix, but it will probably be almost as much (if not more) than what a new camera would cost. At this point we can't even be sure its moisture. If sand did get into it, the lens may be scratched.
Contact a Fuji repair center and get their estimate on the repair cost.
#9
01-03-05, 06:08 AM
Super Moderator
shinrich,
Now you say fog.
Although it is sometimes difficult to differentiate fogging from moisture it could be that what you are seeing is not moisture but rather damage or residue from moisture. It could even be damage from the alcohol.
Straight alcohol could kill most lens coatings and will damage the jewel on laser devices like cd players.
You must use cleaners that are specifically labelled for cleaning lenses.
I just use luke warm water on a cotton swab for lasers.
If this was moisture you would likely see tiny water droplets when the camera is warmed.
Time for a new camera I think, and if your picture taking is action oriented, you can get cameras that are moisture (and maybe even sand) resistant.
Now you say fog.
Although it is sometimes difficult to differentiate fogging from moisture it could be that what you are seeing is not moisture but rather damage or residue from moisture. It could even be damage from the alcohol.
Straight alcohol could kill most lens coatings and will damage the jewel on laser devices like cd players.
You must use cleaners that are specifically labelled for cleaning lenses.
I just use luke warm water on a cotton swab for lasers.
If this was moisture you would likely see tiny water droplets when the camera is warmed.
Time for a new camera I think, and if your picture taking is action oriented, you can get cameras that are moisture (and maybe even sand) resistant.
#10
01-03-05, 11:01 AM
Thanks for the advice
I called around and the lowest cost I was able to get was $100 just to look at the camera, with no guarantee they could even fix it.
So I guess it is time for a new camera.
Thanks for every one's advice.
Scott
So I guess it is time for a new camera.
Thanks for every one's advice.
Scott
