Humidity in rainforest

Hi

Im shortly going to peru to trek in the rain forest but I am woried
that the humidity will affect my digital camera ( Nikon coolpix 5000).
Is this a significant problem and is there anything I can do to reduce
this or am I better off with a basic manual SLR with limited
electronics?


Cheers

Alastair , UK

In article ,
(Alasdair) writes:

Hi

Im shortly going to peru to trek in the rain forest but I am woried
that the humidity will affect my digital camera ( Nikon coolpix 5000).
Is this a significant problem and is there anything I can do to reduce
this or am I better off with a basic manual SLR with limited
electronics?

I've been on trips with people whose digital cameras have survived several
weeks in rainforest environments (and would presumably have survived longer had
they been there longer). For many cameras I believe the major problem with
humidity is the risk of fungi growing within the camera casing or lenses, and
using a watertight bag to carry the camera should be enough for a short period
(such as a few weeks); taking it out occasionally to take photographs shouldn't
affect it at all. If it's a particular worry, I believe some underwater
housings of the sort used by divers can also be used on land without adding a
great deal to the weight. I use film SLRs myself, and have had no problem with
them in an ordinary camera bag on trips lasting up to three months, so they're
a safe bet if you aren't convinced a digital camera will tolerate the
conditions.

Philip Bowles

Hi Alastair,

I was in the Monte Verde rainforest in Costa Rica earlier this year, and had
no problems with either my Nikon N-80 or 80-400 mm VR zoom with a
collapsible rubber lens hood. I had (just!) enough room to carry everything
inside my goretex parka in very heavy rain, and used a (heavy weight) trash
compactor bag looped over the camera fastened with a rubber band around the
lens when I wasn't wearing my parka. The rain will be the problem, not the
humidity. Good luck!

Bob