How to protect your camera in bad weather

When it comes to ugly weather on a hike, to protect your gear all precautions need must be taken to keep your camera working by staying reasonably warm and dry. Here are some tips for guarding your camera against the elements.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Plastic bags
• Shower cap
• Dry rice grains or silica desiccant packets
• Umbrella
• Towel
• Camera rain sleeve

1. 

   In cold weather your first concern is batteries because they tend to have a shortened life span when used in low temperatures. Keep your camera's batteries in a warm pocket or glove whenever your camera is not in use, and simply place them back in when you are ready to shoot again.

2. 

   Moisture in the air can also be a problem in cold weather. Wrap your camera in a plastic bag while it is in your camera bag and whenever it is not in use. You can also use a shower cap for the same purpose, they can fold up small and cost very little.

3. 

   In the cold air static electricity becomes more prominent. A shock of static electricity can leave little lightning strikes on your film when advancing or rewinding. Try to unload static build up on your body by touching a metal object to release a spark on the object instead of your camera, and then you can advance or rewind your film slowly.

4. 

   Perhaps the most volatile weather for your equipment is a rain storm. Covering your camera and lens with a plastic bag is a quick fix, but investing in a rain sleeve is much better. It is tailored to fit around the shape of a camera and will allow easier use of your camera than a wrapped up plastic bag.

5. 

   Grains of rice or those little silica desiccant packets can be placed into your equipment cases to absorb any moisture inside.

6. 

   Use an umbrella to shield your camera from rain or high winds that can shake your set up and blur the picture.

7. 

   Finally, always keep a dry towel with you. Chances are your equipment will still receive some moisture and you will need the towel for a quick drying.

Tips & Warnings

• A hair dryer can be used to completely dry your camera after you have made it back indoors.

• Try using clear plastic kitchen wrap on your camera in wet weather as well. It sticks to itself and you can easily leave room for moving parts (focusing, film advance).

• Using a lens hood is another good way to keep rain off of your lens.

• The effects of rain inside your camera are very serious, experiment with these suggestions before actually taking your camera out into the field.