Keeping the M dry

Hi Folks,

This is my first post in the “Film Leica” group so I hope I do not ask a question that has already been answered. I am traveling to Iquitos, Peru in about a month and I want to take my M3 with me but I have not used it in a wet environment before. I will be there for 30 days, should I worry about the moisture? Is there any advice for keeping moisture out? Do I just wipe it down if it gets wet? Thanks for the advice.

Juan-Carlos

by Juan Carlos Delgado at Thu Apr 17 20:08:34 UTC 2008 (ed. May 9 2008) Portland, OR, United States | Bookmark |

Hi Juan. Try to avoid put camera and lenses near conditioned air to avoid the condensation of humidity when you go out. For a month of travel is not much problem. If you feel a bit insecure put the things in ziploc bags with silica gel.

by Hernan Zenteno | 21 Apr 2008 02:04 | Buenos Aires, Argentina |

Having just got an M6TTL back from repair – the light meter was 5 stops out due to corrosion caused by water ingress through the shoe – I’d say take care with that wet stuff! If you need to use the camera in the rain – or, even worse, snow – use one of the various camera raincoats, wipe off the surface as soon as you can, and do like Hernan says. General humidity shouldn’t be too much of a problem, but quick changes of temperature can be. Cheers, PHC.

by Paul Hardy Carter | 23 Apr 2008 16:04 | Portsmouth, United Kingdom |

hi jc

i took my m6 down the deepest gold mine in the world 3.5km down. there was extreme humidity. all i did was carry the camera inside my overalls and allowed the camera to acclimatise on the way up and down. i have had no problems with the camera since. just don’t keep it sealed and then whip it out and use. it WILL fog up…

i also went swimming with it (fell in a river, got washed down four rapids) but i had put it in one of these hi tech waterproof bags with some extra padding and air so it would float, again no problems. just keep wiping away visible water on the kit. john

by john robinson | 25 Apr 2008 14:04 (ed. Apr 26 2008) | kwazulu-natal, South Africa |

You might find this thread- on the main forum interesting. Cheers, PHC.

by Paul Hardy Carter | 07 May 2008 11:05 | Monte Pego, Spain |

Thanks for all the help folks! I feel much better about taking my Leica with me.

Juan-Carlos

by Juan Carlos Delgado | 09 May 2008 01:05 | Portland, OR, United States |