Did your camera lens get wet or have moisture stuck on its surface? Fret not! Below are some effective methods to remove condensation from your lens and prevent water damage.
When I think about my favorite place to take pictures, one of the first locations in my mind is the beach or anywhere near water. I just love to capture the beautiful backdrops, the natural lighting, and the vibrant colors.
However, shooting near a body of water can increase the risk of getting my camera and lens wet. In fact, it already happened to me during a beach vacation when my lens slipped from my hands in the middle of switching it.
Fortunately, I managed to remove the water inside. I will share the method that worked on my camera and lens. I will also discuss other techniques that you can try to get rid of moisture in your lenses.
Finally, I will talk about the ways you can prevent a water-damaged camera lens.
Without any ado, let us get on with the article!
How To Remove Moisture From Camera Lens?
You do not have to drop your camera lens into the water to damage it. You also risk getting water-damaged lenses if you use them while raining or store them in a damp place.
Fortunately, it is possible to save your camera lens after exposing it to water or moisture. Continue reading for the different drying methods to restore your lens to its original state.
Leave the Lens To Dry
If your camera lens is not waterlogged, you can simply let the moisture evaporate. Leave it in a warm place for several hours to let it dry.
For instance, you can take advantage of the warm air temperature and hot weather. Place your camera lens by the window where indirect sunshine will hit it and start the drying process.
If the lens exterior is wet, you can pat it dry using a microfiber cloth or some paper towels. Then, proceed to put it in a safe place where it can dry naturally.
In both methods, the visible moisture in the lens will eventually evaporate within a few hours.
Overall, it is the safest and easiest way to get water out of the camera lens, especially if you did not accidentally soak it in water.
Use Silica Gel Packets To Remove The Water
Those who did not succeed in leaving their lenses to dry can try using silica gel packets. They are among the most common solutions to get water out of camera lenses.
Silica gel works by drawing out moisture from the camera and lens itself. It is easily available online, at department stores, or at art and craft stores. But when shopping for silica gel packs online, make sure that it is not too late before they arrive.
Once you have some silica gel, place them near the camera lens. You can put the silica gels in a plastic bag and remove the lens from the camera to place it inside the bag as well. Then, leave the plastic in a warm and dry place for a few days. After that, you can expect the camera lens to completely dry because the gel has already absorbed the moisture.
Put the Lens in a Bag of Rice to Draw Out Moisture
Using raw or dry uncooked rice is another effective method of drying your wet camera phone lenses. It works in a similar fashion as the silica gel technique, which draws out water. It is also popular among households because the chances are that you already have rice in your kitchen.
If you want to try this drying method, you can fill an air-tight container or plastic bag with uncooked rice. Then, put your wet camera lens inside the container. Seal the bag tightly and set it aside in a cool and dry place.
As previously mentioned, white rice removes water from the lens in a similar manner to the silica gel. Hence, you will have to wait a few days until the rice absorbs all the moisture inside the camera. After this waiting period, you can turn the camera on and test it.
This lens drying method is more effective if you put the lens inside the airtight bag as soon as possible. This way, the uncooked rice will absorb moisture from the lens successfully.
Suck Out Moisture With a Vacuum Cleaner
Do you find yourself short on time to wait for the moisture to evaporate on its own? Then, you can try using a vacuum cleaner. This household cleaning appliance can suck out fog or moisture on your camera lens much quicker than the previous drying methods.
Make sure to use a compact vacuum cleaner. Then, set it at the lowest heat setting. Focus the heat on the wet lens for a few minutes. Take breaks in between. The last thing you want is to melt the interior parts of your lens.
Avoid using hairdryers or any drying machines that use high heat. They are likely to damage the wet lens instead of fixing it.
Bring the Lens to a Professional
If you have already tried the drying methods above, but nothing works, the next thing you should do is contact a professional.
Bring the wet or damaged lens to a local camera store or from the lens manufacturer itself. Having your lens checked by a professional might be able to reverse further damage, especially if you dropped your lens in mud or dirty water.
If your lens is still covered by an accident warranty, sending it to a professional must be your first step to restoring it. If not, you can still rely on the store to fix your waterlogged lens at a small amount of the cost of replacing it completely.
Overall, this is among the safest and most effective ways to remove moisture from a camera lens. It is ideal for those who are worried about trying any DIY method or unsure about the full extent of the lens damage.
Expose the Lens to Direct Sunlight
Exposing the lens to direct sunlight might seem like an obvious solution to get the water out. However, you should only attempt to do this if the other aforementioned methods do not work. The reason behind this is that prolonged exposure to the sun can permanently damage your camera lens. You also risk expanding the battery in extreme heat, which can give you more problems.
But if your lens has already been soaked in water, it is probably good as destroyed anyway. You have little left to lose, so it is worth considering this drying method as a last-ditch effort.
For this technique, all you have to do is leave your lens outside on a sunny day in direct sunlight. Let the wet lens sit there for a few hours. Then, check it every once in a while to see how the drying process is going.
You will want the lens to be in direct sunlight all the time. Thus, avoid placing it on covered porches or other areas where the sun cannot hit the lens continuously. You must also take note of the shadows because they will shift throughout the day. So, you might want to move the position of your camera lens to ensure it is constantly exposed.
Make sure to do this drying process in a safe and controlled environment. Pay close attention to the weather outside. If it is too humid outside or there is a chance of rainfall, postpone placing your lens outside.
Finally, do not leave your camera lens out at night. You will just reverse the progress you have made because dew will accumulate on the glass with just the slightest bit of water. Hence, you will have to dry the lens all over again.
How To Prevent Moisture From Entering Your Camera?
The best way to get water out of your lens is to prevent it from entering your camera in the first place.
Here are some tips to remember if you want to keep moisture from damaging your lens.
First, you need to avoid using your camera in rainy conditions, near beaches, and other water bodies. If you are really tempted to capture the sea and the beautiful backdrops, remember to use protective camera gear. Doing so will prevent moisture from seeping in and damaging your camera lens.
You might also want to turn away from using your camera when it is extremely humid outside. You increase the risk of moisture entering the lens in such weather conditions.
Furthermore, store your camera inside a bag when you are not using it. Avoid leaving it in the open for prolonged periods because moisture can enter it.
Finally, put silica gel packets in the camera bag if you will not be using the device for a long time. These will hinder moisture from damaging the lens.
How Do Different Kinds of Water Affect Camera Lenses?
If you really cannot avoid lens moisture, then you have no choice but to dry it. Fortunately, I have already discussed several methods of how to do this.
With that said, you might still have to deal with other problems besides moisture. For instance, if you drop your lens in the ocean, you need to address the salt or iron that will not evaporate with the moisture.
Below, I will provide insight into how different kinds of water can affect your camera lenses. Then, I will share some tips on how to clean them.
As previously mentioned, ocean water can leave salt in your lens. When left untouched, it can rust the internal parts of your device. Hence, it is best to get professional help to remove this kind of material.
If you have exposed the lens to lake water, the cleaning process would not be as complicated as the ocean water. All you have to do is rinse the bacteria and algae out. Since the camera lens is already wet, you can use tap water to clean it. Then, choose any drying method above to remove moisture.
Lastly, those who had their lenses soaked in the rainwater will usually not suffer from serious consequences. All you have to do is dry your lenses thoroughly. But if you notice any weird smell or particles, treat them the same way that you do with lake water.
How To Remove Condensation in Camera Lenses?
If you notice foggy lenses, it is likely that moisture has already seeped inside. Fortunately, there are several ways to remove condensation and dry your camera lens.
First, turn off your camera and remove the battery. Place it in a warm environment to allow the moisture to dry. Leave it for several hours to complete the drying process. Remember to avoid putting the camera in an oven, a coal room, or even under direct sunlight, as you risk permanently damaging the lens.
If you do not have time to wait for the lens to dry, you can use a vacuum cleaner or a hairdryer. Just make sure to use the lowest temperature setting. The last thing you want is to melt the electrical components and destroy them.
Finally, try the aforementioned methods to get water out of the camera lens. The chances are that they can also remove camera condensation.
Conclusion
Exposing your cameras to water or moisture can damage your device completely. Fortunately, not everything is lost if you remove dampness as soon as possible.
Hopefully, this article helped you gain valuable insight into how to get water out of a camera lens. If you are still unable to resolve the issue of moisture, do not hesitate to reach a professional for their services.