Serious question, has anyone else had a lens fog up right before a perfect shot?

I was out near Flagstaff last night, all set to capture the Milky Way with my new 24mm lens, and just as the core became visible, the whole front element fogged over completely. I tried wiping it with a microfiber cloth but it just smeared and I missed the whole window. What's the best way to prevent this when you're moving from a warm car to cold night air?

3 comments

3 Comments

patricia_mason1mo ago

My camera fogs up like my glasses in a cold store.

jade_singh1mo ago

Yeah the whole "cool it down slowly" thing is key. I actually do the same thing but I'll take it a step further. If I know I'm going from a warm house to freezing temps, I'll leave my camera bag in the garage for like 20 minutes first. Then I take it outside but don't open it for another 10-15 minutes. The gradual temp change really helps. Same goes for coming back inside though. I keep my camera in my bag with the zipper barely cracked for like an hour before I take it out. That way the warm air doesn't just rush in and fog everything up instantly. It's saved me so many times especially in winter.

nathana481mo ago

Moving from a warm car to cold air is the main issue. I keep my gear in the trunk or a camera bag outside for an hour before I start shooting. Letting it cool down slowly stops the fog from forming on the glass.