Protect Your Camera in Extreme Conditions

Article 3 min
Explore protection for your camera and gear when weather and environmental conditions are challenging.

In your role, you will be asked to take pictures and video in extreme weather conditions, such as pouring rain, fog, blowing sand, and frozen pools or waterfalls. There is extra preparation and risk that goes into capturing good photos and video in these conditions.

Explore what kind of damage can occur and how to protect your equipment in these challenging environments.

Protect your Camera

Use labels along the top to progress through scenarios. Click the learn more button for more in-depth information.

When the environment is
  • Hot temperature
  • High humidity
Protect Camera from
Extreme Heat

Protect Camera from
Extreme Heat

  • Hot environment
  • Humidity
  • Wildfires

Excessive heat and humidity cause a high incidence of equipment failure. The cameras you will use are durable, but not indestructible.

Damage Warning

  • Excessive temperatures can damage internal electrical components.
  • Prolonged exposure to intense direct sunlight can cause damage to camera body components; e.g. plastic buttons, rubber caps, etc.
  • Excessive heat can cause battery explosion.
  • Moisture can cause corrosion.
  • Condensation can accumulate inside lenses and camera body.

Protect Your Gear

  • Use a moisture-proof case.
  • Store equipment inside camera bag and in a cool, shaded area when not in use.
  • Consider using silica gel packets in your camera bag to absorb humidity.
  • Carry a dry cloth to wipe the lens and the camera exterior.

Tips for Use

  • Allow cool dry air to circulate around your camera by removing it from the bag.
  • Give your camera and lens about 15 minutes to acclimate to the environment.
Heat
When the environment is
  • Freezing
  • Low humidity
  • Ice
  • Snow
protect camera from
extreme cold

Protect camera from
Extreme cold

  • Snowing
  • Freezing temps
  • Ice

In extreme climates, when transferring from a warm environment to the cold quickly, moisture in your equipment can condense and freeze, causing internal damage.

Damage Warning

  • Condensation can freeze internal parts.
  • Batteries will become sluggish.
  • LCD may blackout.
  • Custom features become unavailable.

Protect Your Gear

  • Use a moisture-proof case.
  • Keep the batteries in your pocket for warmth.
  • Wrap lenses and camera body with neoprene or insulating material.
  • Use a plastic bag to create an emergency rain hood.

Tips for Use

  • Don't use your bare hands; your skin may freeze on the metal parts.
  • Hold your breath when holding the camera to your eye. Exhaled breath can freeze over the eyepiece.
  • Avoid putting the camera under your parka, moisture from perspiration will freeze when the camera is exposed to cold again.
  • Carrying spare batteries is essential.
  • Avoid extreme temperature changes.
    • Allow your camera at least 15 minutes to an hour in between extreme environments if possible. This helps reduce the chances of condensation forming.
    • Before going inside, place your camera inside a ziploc plastic bag with a silica packet. This gives the equipment time to acclimate gradually and helps reduce the chances of fogging and condensation. Remove the battery while doing this to keep it warm and to extend its life when you start shooting.
  • Protect your camera from being dropped. Plastic and glass get brittle in extreme cold. Keep your gear in a padded bag as much as possible. Use the neck and wrist straps to protect the gear, especially when your hands get cold, wet or if you are wearing gloves.
Cold
When the environment is
  • Heavy or Light Rain
  • Damp
  • Fog
  • Splash Risk
  • Hail
Protect camera from
Moisture & rain

Protect camera from
Moisture & Rain

  • Water
  • Fog
  • Hail

Wet conditions require some preparation. You'll need to carry towels for drying your lens and camera body to prevent damage.

Damage Warning

  • Water can cause fungus to grow inside the camera.
  • Water on the batteries could cause significant damage if the camera is turned on.
  • The main power board can short circuit.

Protect Your Gear

  • Consider using silica gel packets in your camera bag to absorb humidity.
  • Carry a dry cloth to wipe the lens and the camera exterior.
  • Use a moisture-proof case.
  • Keep your camera in the case when not in use.
  • In the event of water intrusion, the camera will need to be professionally cleaned.
  • Use a plastic bag to create an emergency rain hood.

Tips for Use

  • In the pouring rain, keep your camera pointed down in between shots to keep the lens from getting wet.
  • Wipe the lens and exterior of the camera periodically.
  • If your camera does get wet inside:
    • Remove the lens and set all parts out to dry.
    • Remove the battery and memory card.
    • Open the doors and gaskets.
    • Place the camera face up and the lens face down to allow water to evaporate through the openings.
Moisture & Rain
When the environment is
  • Desert
  • Beach
  • Landing zone
  • Clean-up site
protect camera from
Sand

protect camera from
Sand

  • Construction site
  • Landing zone
  • Riverfront

Sand can cause significant damage to your camera.

Damage Warning

  • Sand can scratch your lens and sensor.
  • Sand can become lodged inside your camera’s gears and damage any moving parts.
  • Sand can damage the threading and prevent the screws from tightening.

Protect Your Gear

  • Use a lens filter.
  • Keep your camera tucked away tightly inside a sealed camera bag when not in use.
  • Carry a hand-pumped air blower.

Tips for use

  • Do not wipe your camera with a cloth because this could scratch the glass parts of your camera.
  • Use a hand-pumped air blower to blow away grains of sand. Compressed air canisters may contain damaging chemicals and are typically too strong.
  • Be careful trying to blow away sand. You risk unintentionally spitting into your camera.
Sand

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