If you shoot a lot a the Ocean/beach what do you do afterwards? Blower Brush, wipe, wet towel? I am going to be doing a lot of this type of imaging in the next year. All my stuff including lenses are "weather sealed", but I know after care is important. Just looking for advice. (G9II/Gh6/PL8-18,12-60, 100-400).
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Micro 4/3 Shoot at the Ocean (not just the Beach).....
- Thread starter CountingGx85Gx8G9s
- Start date
Out to Lunch
Top Veteran
I've used all sorts of cameras/lenses on the beach -mostly not weather-sealed. Just a damp cloth and let them air -don't put your gear in a bag or cabinet. Bring a large Ziploc bag for the occasional downpour. Cheers, OtL
- Location
- Western Oz
One of those soft make up brushes or shaving brushes I find good for any sand/grit particles. Kitchen paper for moisture drops and dry in fresh air.
- Location
- New Zealand
- Name
- Tímo
If it didn't rain during shooting I would:
- Get the camera-lens combo inside to initially equalise with the temperature indoors
- Wipe the body and lens with pH-balanced fluid/wipes. Ensure to get as much silt-sized particles as possible.
- Remove the lens from the camera and check the sensor and rear element.
- Open all ports and check for dust/silt around the weather-sealing
- Check the sensor and when a blower is needed, keep in mind that the particles will be blown into the camera.
- Wipe the seals with the pH-balanced fluid/wipes.
- Close all ports.
- Wipe the lens seal and mount before putting them back together.
- Wipe or pat the camera on the way back in public transport or personal vehicle using a clean, dry cloth.
- At home or at base, get the camera to equialise with the indoor temperature.
- Remove the lens, SD card and battery.
- Keep all ports open.
- Wipe the body, lens and seals with pH-balanced fluid/wipes.
- Inspect the sensor. This is not an issue usually with Olympus and Pentax startup-shutdown sensor cleaning.
- Let everything stand until everything is dry externally.
- Put everything back together again or put them all in the humidity cabinet, if applicable.
Dry beach seasons can be challenging for the owner as silt-sized particles can overwhelm the camera, especially during our dry summers. I used to bring my GM5 to the beach and really had a problem with these silt-sized particles. I had to clean the actual sensor behind the AA filter, which meant disassembling the sensor assembly. The camera is still OK but upon opening it, I had to really clean the internals from silt. I only took a few photos but I could feel the particles in my eyes and face.
If sensor-cleaning is needed, one must initially wet the swab initially to make sure that the remainder particles don't scratch the sensor itself.
Darmok N Jalad
There are FOUR lights!
- Location
- Tanagra
It can depend on where you're shooting too. Last time I was at the beach on the Gulf Coast, I had my camera in a bag in our room, which was air conditioned. As soon as I got outside, all that gulf humidity turned into immediate condensation. It ended up being harmless to the gear, but it made shooting impossible until the camera reached outdoor temps. Probably as simple as checking the dewpoint in a weather app, and make sure your camera is warmer than that.
Thanks all who replied. I live in Oregon, so I do have a little bit of experience with "moisture" but this helps me plan what I am going to take.
