I thought I finally had some good video of me and a new friend, him on a LEI and board and me on ski's and the Scorpion. The camera ran fine and I had shut off the sound as the winds were originally about 12 to 17 mph (later hitting 26). We had a great day, very cold but very rewarding. I even got his crash when his bladder exploded. Anyway, when I got home and downloaded the file it was totally fogged over ie: iced basically useless.
Has anyone ever used silicone oil on there lens to see if it would stop the frost? I know we use it on test tubes to stop condensation and it gives the spectra analyzers a better result.
Any other ideas, I'm really bummed about about it

there is a discussion about this problem on the Kiteforum

http://www.kiteforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2361774

You wouldn't think with our dry air in the winter there would humidity issues - maybe going from a warm car to outside? Hopefully I'll be using mine out in the winter soon - let me know what works for you.

I had it stored in a pelican box in the truck, just put fresh batteries in it. It was more like a ice coating, blowing snow is probably a big factor. I just don't know if the silicone oil would damage the coating if any on the lens?

What kind of camera? The GoPro housing has a replaceable cover for the lens ... and you could try Rain-X or probably better, the motorbike visor (polycarb) version ...

George Lucus used oil on his lens in the first star wars movie to block out mechanical structures. So in short I think it will blur things just as bad if not worse.

NO to silicon oil.

What kind of camera?

In conventional cameras the warmer air inside the lens barrel is what is generally what causes the fogging.

ATB,
Sam

I had stored the camera in the cold, just put new batteries in when ready to use, it was never anywhere warm. It a Oregon Scientific AC2K bullet camera. The silicon oil I have is for test tube use, I also have some silicone fog stuff for our safety full face masks. I just don't want to wreck the lens.

OK.... next question... could you tell whether the fogging was internal or external? Related to that.... are you sure that the fogging came from the lens and not the actual CCD sensor (which would be another kettle of puppies). How cold was it?

Always leery about putting anything on a camera lens unless purpose made for the task.

ATB,
Sam

It was definitely external, probably -50 with wind chill and blowing snow

-50? :o You da (snow) man!!! Brrrr...


If all else fails, I would suggest dropping a dessicant can into the Pelican box before subjecting it to the cold. Otherwise, as the temperture drops any warmth will condense and the lens on your camera is just a magnet.

If you get the dessicant "tins" that are plastic, there is usually an indicator on the outside to indicate when it has reached capacity, and a couple of minutes in the microwave will bring it back to life.

ATB,
Sam

Most electronic equipment has an operating temperature range. Check your manual. The temperatures you quote are below the storage temperature range for my digital camera never mind the operating temperature range.
S

Wind chill isn't applicable to storage temperatures. What was the actual temperature.

temp without wind at -38, I also had it in a neoprene sleeve.

Trouble with the AC2Ks is the lens is impossibly small. It'd be tough to get a clean film of anything on it. How'd you mount it (where)? Perhaps it was picking up radiant heat from your body / breath and fogging up?

We shattered records yesterday with a whopping -46 at EIA WITHOUT the wind chill and it seemed like your breath just stopped as soon as it left your body and you had to dodge to avoid it

God I can't wait for the weekend warmup.....

we are sitting st -51 this morning again, and dead calm I had the camera mounted on my helmet, just too cold I guess.

You might want to try some of those chemical hand warmer pouches in your neoprene case. They may be enough to keep your camera somewhere near the operating temperature. I do not think they create moisture.
S

good idea, Thanks Scudley