Trapped Water in Camera Lens? Here’s What to Do

Trapped Water in Camera Lens? Here’s What to Do
Dustin Olsen

Have you ever gone on a vacation to the beach or taken photos in the rain? If so, you’re probably familiar with the problem of water getting into your camera lens. This can be a huge headache, especially if you’re trying to take pictures of an important event.

Water can cause a lot of damage to your camera if it’s not dealt with properly. It’s important to know what to do if this happens. In this blog post, we’ll discuss what to do if water gets trapped in your camera lens and how to get it out. Keep reading for how to deal with water in camera lens.

What to Do When you Find Water Trapped in Camera Lens?

Trapped Water in Camera Lens? Here’s What to Do

If you find water in your camera lens, make sure to switch the camera off, remove the camera’s accessories, remove the lens, check for water, and dry the camera. In this guide, we will explain each step in detail.

Switch off the Camera

The first thing you should do when you find water trapped in your lens is to shut off the camera. Make sure you remove the battery or power source.

This will minimize the risk of any further damage, as electricity and water don’t mix very well. Make sure to turn off the camera completely, including any lights that might be on.

Remove Camera Accessories

Once the camera has been shut down, you can start removing all accessories such as the memory card, batteries, and filters from the body of the camera.

You should always take great care when handling camera parts, as they are delicate and can easily be damaged. Once fully disassembled, you can take a closer look at the lens to determine where the water is coming from.

Remove the Lens

The next step is to remove the lens from the camera body. Make sure to support the lens when doing this. It can be easy to accidentally drop or damage the lens.

Once the lens is removed, you can take a closer look for any water that might be trapped inside. The best way to do this is to look very closely at each element in the lens and shake it lightly so any water droplets can be seen.

Check for Water

If you see any water droplets inside the lens, you can assess the severity of the damage caused.

Inspect all of the elements to look for signs of moisture and check for any corrosion that may have been caused by trapped water. If the moisture is severe, you may need to replace some of the elements to restore your camera lens to full functioning order.

Dry the Camera

If you find that there is moisture or water inside the lens and you cannot remove it, you will need to dry out your camera. You can do this in several ways, and we will cover each of them in great detail:

1. Using Silica Gel

The best way to remove water from your camera is to place it in a container with silica gel packets. Silica gel is a desiccant that absorbs moisture from the air and can be found at many craft stores or online.

Place the camera inside a container with a few packets of silica gel and seal it tightly. Leave the camera in the container for several hours or overnight to guarantee that all moisture has been absorbed by the silica gel.

2. Using Hairdryer

Another way to dry out your camera is to use a hair dryer. Make sure to set the temperature on the lowest setting and keep it moving constantly, never focusing too much heat in one area for too long.

You should also keep the hair dryer at least 6 inches away from the camera to avoid any damage caused by overheating. Be sure to keep a close eye on the camera while drying it. If you notice any smoke or sparks coming from the lens, turn off the hairdryer immediately.

3. Using Rice

Another way to dry out your camera is to use uncooked rice. Place the camera in a container filled with uncooked rice and seal it tightly. The rice will absorb any moisture from the air, as well as any water trapped inside the lens.

Leave the camera in this container for at least 24 hours before removing it. Once you are sure that all moisture has been removed, remove the camera from the container and reassemble it.

5. Using Direct Sunlight

Finally, you can also use direct sunlight to dry out your camera lens. Place the disassembled parts of the lens in a sunny spot and leave them there for several hours.

The UV rays from the sun will evaporate any moisture that might be trapped inside the elements, restoring your camera to working order. Make sure not to leave the lens in direct sunlight for too long, as this can damage the internal components of your camera.

Once you have allowed time for your camera to dry out completely, you can reassemble it and test it to make sure that everything is working correctly. With a little bit of care and patience, you’ll be able to recover your camera lens.

Get the Help of a Professional

Trapped Water in Camera Lens? Here’s What to Do

If the damage is more extensive than these steps can solve, it might be best to seek professional help. A trained technician can assess the extent of the damage and advise you on how to proceed.

They can also give you advice on how to prevent water from entering your camera lens in the future. This will allow you to use your camera with peace of mind.

Get professional help when dealing with water damage, no matter how experienced you are. This will guarantee that all repairs are done correctly and efficiently. This way, your camera can be used properly once again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the water in my camera go away?

Yes, the water in your camera can go away if you take the proper steps to dry it out. This includes using silica gel packets, a hair dryer on the lowest setting, uncooked rice, and direct sunlight.

Make sure to take extra care when using a hair dryer, and avoid overheating the lens. If the damage is more extensive, it is best to get professional help to ensure that all repairs are done correctly. All of these methods will help remove any moisture from your camera lens and get it back to normal.

What is the best way to prevent water in camera lens in the future?

The best way to prevent water from entering your camera lens is to always use a waterproof case or bag when taking your camera outdoors. This will provide extra protection against any moisture that might enter the lens. It can also protect the lens from dust and other debris.

Additionally, make sure to keep your camera in a secure location when not in use, away from sources of moisture such as sinks or showers. Taking these precautions will help ensure that your camera lens stays safe and dry no matter where you take it.

Does rice really absorb moisture?

Yes, uncooked rice does absorb moisture. When placed inside a sealed container with the camera lens, the rice will absorb any water that might be trapped in your camera lens. It also captures any moisture from the air. This is why many people use uncooked rice when drying out a camera lens.

Make sure to use only uncooked rice and not cooked or instant rice, as these types of rice do not have the same moisture-absorbing properties. Additionally, it is best to leave the lens in a sealed container with the rice for several days. This will allow all of the moisture to be drawn out.

Why is my camera lens foggy?

Your camera lens may be foggy due to moisture that has become trapped inside the lens. This could be caused by exposing your camera to humidity, rain, or just a splash of water. 

If you notice some foggy patches on your lens, it is important to remove all of the moisture as soon as possible. This will help keep your lens from becoming permanently damaged.

Conclusion

We hope this guide has helped you learn how to deal with trapped water in camera lens. By following the steps listed above, you should be able to help your camera lens dry out and restore it to perfect order.

If the damage is major, it’s best to get professional help to ensure that all repairs are done the right way. Additionally, always use a waterproof case or bag when taking your camera with you outdoors, and keep it in a secure location when not in use. Taking these precautions will help guarantee that your camera lens stays safe and dry no matter where you go.

Trapped Water in Camera Lens? Here’s What to Do

Dustin Olsen

Mastermind behind DustinOlsen.com. When no one is telling me what to do or where to be, you'll find me outside (hopefully flying my drone) soaking up some sun.