condensation inside the lens

[cs_foto]

Hi, recently I've been out to do some snaps and because of the freezing temperature the lens I had (a nikon 35mm f2 AFD) got condensed inside, I had a white patch just in the center of the front element.. all the photos came like this (i was aware i was seeing it in the viewfinder)



now, first, is this normal? are all lenses no matter how well built prone to this? (like hasselblad/zeiss CF lenses?)

and also, is there a way to prevent this? or a tip to solve the problem while on the field? i tried warming it up with no effect :s

this is the second time this happens to me, last time was with a nikon 50mm 1.4 pre-ai, last year... but as i got it second hand i thought that it was faulty, but now it seems that this can happen to any lens...

thanks

 

[polypal]

Condensation

Condensation is something nature gives.
Whenever the temparture of air is cooled down condensation occurs.
The cause is the fact that warm air can contain more moist than cold air.
As soon as the air temparture goes down sufficiently there will be condensation .

The only way to prevent this is to let lenses and cameras get used to lower temperatures by giving them time to adjust.
A sudden drop in temperature will all most certain generate a certain amount of moist inside lenses and bodies.

BTW this happens not only to Nikon lenses!

 

[cs_foto]

thanks for the reply...
so how will you "let lenses and cameras get used to lower temperatures by giving them time to adjust"?

leaving them outside, for some time, before using them?

 

[polypal]

That is right, lenses need time to adjust to lower temperatures.
A Pelican case that allows you to draw air from the inside may be an option to prevent condensation: no air, no condensation.
These cases are often used to avoid humidity in tropical areas.

Humidity leads to fungus.........

 

[polarcircle]

Hi, recently I've been out to do some snaps and because of the freezing temperature the lens I had (a nikon 35mm f2 AFD) got condensed inside, I had a white patch just in the center of the front element.. all the photos came like this (i was aware i was seeing it in the viewfinder)



now, first, is this normal? are all lenses no matter how well built prone to this? (like hasselblad/zeiss CF lenses?)

and also, is there a way to prevent this? or a tip to solve the problem while on the field? i tried warming it up with no effect :s

this is the second time this happens to me, last time was with a nikon 50mm 1.4 pre-ai, last year... but as i got it second hand i thought that it was faulty, but now it seems that this can happen to any lens...

thanks

Paul has quite right about lenses and cold - also goes for the cameras - its best to get them adjusted slowly. Personally I use to have them in a bag and usually when the bag has adjusted to the temperature the equipment is OK to use. Another thing to think of, particularly for extreme cold is that if the lense is warmed up to fast the glass might crack. happened sometimes to fragile fluorite elements.

However with that said, I've used a number of cameras mainly Hasselblad and Pentax but never had condensation inside the lense. On the outside its easily had. If I had it inside the lense , at least on my assortment of lenses I'd suspect a little bit more humidity than normal inside the lens. Having said that I must stress I've had no experience with your lens.

Cheers,

Ronald