Camping with my dSLR?

[Muddy Beast]

So I'm possibly going camping this weekend with my boy scout troop and I'd like to bring my camera, since we're hiking to a remote lake and will be sleeping there over night with plenty of chances for a good shot. But I've had experiences in the past with things like knifes and an ipod getting mildue in them over night and rusting/not working after wards.

I have however, never had my dSLR camera outside for longer then a few hours, let alone at night. So my question to you is, is it OK to bring my Canon XTi and Tamron lens in a holster *lowe pro* and leave it in my tent with me over night? Meaning that it will be next to me and get filled with condensation over time in my tent.

Any help is welcomed, thanks.

[Loupey]

Well if you're still using the canvas tents that we used to use - the kind that leaks when other scouts rub their fingers over the top of the tent while you sleep and it is raining - then you might want to take a few precautions.

I'd at least take some freezer zip lock bags to seal up the stuff during the night and during heavy rains. But that's about it. I've had my gear out in the rain - covered but not sealed - still works fine.

Let us know how it goes.

[mjs1973]

I'm with Loupey. Take some larger freezer bags in case and seal it up. I have camped in very damp conditions with my SLR and never had a problem with it. If the case is closed up tight, the condensation will condense on the case, and shouldn't get inside.

[Muddy Beast]

Alright sounds like a plan, I'll give it a shot if the camping plans work out. And as for the tent info, its a high quality 2 man tent, so basically it fits me. But I have never had a problem with it leaking in my 2 years, and dozens of camping trips (half in wet weather...its washington) so far.

Again thanks. I wasnt to sure weather a zip lock bag would do anything or not when it comes to night temperatures, but you guys reassured me!

[Loupey]

There was nothing "high quality" when I was in it. Seriously, I think they were war surplus tents The "elders" would select a good candidate and make sure that that lucky kid would be totally soaked by the time he would wake up and know what was going on.

Make sure that you squeeze out the air of the zip lock before you seal it. Any air inside will have moisture and it can still condense if the temps get low enough.

[Muddy Beast]

I figure since its summer tempatures wont go bellow 50, 40 at worst. So not much a worry there.

And yeah, I'm the oldest in the troop, and I'm 16. But I bought a tent 2 years ago for about $200 on ebay, and that was a good deal on it.

And yeah, they likely were military surplus when you were in it (Im guessing 20+ years ago?) because most boy scouts stuff was military surplus for a long time...till technology got better, and scouts kinda adapted and expanded.

[scott-devon]

I figure since its summer tempatures wont go bellow 50, 40 at worst. So not much a worry there.

And yeah, I'm the oldest in the troop, and I'm 16. But I bought a tent 2 years ago for about $200 on ebay, and that was a good deal on it.

And yeah, they likely were military surplus when you were in it (Im guessing 20+ years ago?) because most boy scouts stuff was military surplus for a long time...till technology got better, and scouts kinda adapted and expanded.

Hmmm, darn you're making me feel old.... I remember those tents, huge old "bell" tents of heavy canvas with wood center poles. Ugh!

If you have any of those silica packs around that come packaged with electronics items you might want to put one in the plastic bag with your camera. It will absorb any moisture before your camera does. I've gotten in the habit of saving them for trips like that.

Have a great trip and post the results!

[Muddy Beast]

Thanks, I'll definatly post some shots when I get back sunday morning!

[Muddy Beast]

Well the campout was pretty fun. We desided to go to a different lake because only one of the scouts coming hasnt hiked before, and he was with his dad, and the original plans were on an easy trail to teach the younger/newer scouts. This lake was apparently more beautiful and a much more rigerous hike. Once at camp we made a day hike out of a 2 milers with about 1500ft gain to another lake. Took about 4 hours there and back with stops and all that. Got several good shots, in my opinion.

Photos will be up in a few hours!

Waiting on them to all go up on flickr.

[Muddy Beast]

Photos I took are up! All of them are here...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/scott_s...7600594588569/

Heres some favorites...








And last but not least, Me...I figure its only fitting.


Well there you go!
Let me know what you think!

P.S. These were all taken with my Canon XTi and Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8.

[Sushigaijin]

nice shots.

When I was in scouting, we always camped in 40 year old canvas Voyager tents - "A" frames with two poles and tie up flaps. I remember one january campout, waking up to find snow piled up above the front flap - had to shovel myself out! campfire felt good that morning!

[photophorous]

Well, I realize you're back already, but I just wanted to add a few things, because I've camped with cameras a lot. Only once have I woken up to find condensation in a lens. All I had to do was set it in the sun for about 30 minutes and the condensation was gone. Several times I've had problems with the battery being dead because it got too cold. If I know I need to jump out of the sleeping bag and start shooting first thing in the morning, I'll take the battery out of the camera and actually put it inside my sleeping bag with me. Otherwise, you may have to wait a little while before you shoot.

BTW, nice shots!

Paul