Keeping camera lens clear. What's your tip?

[Ratman]

Have been taking a few time lapse photos, but when I return to the camera the lens is fogged up :shrug: What's you best methods or handy tips to prevent this, and get better clearer photos?

[dannat]

Probably need a dew heater, a2" eyepiece should fit if the lens isn't too large

[jjjnettie]

Yep, a dew strap is the ideal.
A hair dryer works but you have to stop your run to use it.
Better if you you combine it with a woolly sock with the foot cut off, slipped over the lens. You can warm it up occasionally with a hair dryer without having to stop your imaging.
Just check your focus after putting the sock on.

[leon]

Well hat is pretty clever Jeanette, I have used many suggestions but, A SOCK !! excellent idea

Leon

[midnight]

Are you handy with a soldering iron and have some 1W resistors?

If so, I soldered up some in series (1 watt) and then heat shrink the lot and fit it inside my lense hood. 2 wires out and hook up to 12VDC. As the resistors are 1W rated, I stick to about 50% of their rating (ie 0.5W maximum) and I normally stick to about 4W or less total. I've done this on a 16-35mm lense and I did not have a fogging problem all night and could set and forget the camera for an all night star trail. Just attached it to a 7AH gell battery and you get an easy 10hrs out of it without destroying the battery.

Cheers,
Darrin...

[Ratman]

A great selection of ideas there, Thanks everyone, much appreciated :thanx:
I attempted star trails last week, and with the 'warmer' night temps and light breeze, there were no problems with the lens fogging up.
I've got films in getting developed, pick them up next friday... cant wait and hoping there might be one or two good enough to post.

[midnight]

Good luck mate! Would like to see how you went.

Darrin...