Shibby Posted December 8, 2010 Share Posted December 8, 2010 By 6.30am, this is what the scope and camera looked like. Is it a bad idea to let this happen? Being worried about it, I took them in and dried them off with a hair drier... Maybe that's worse? I don't know! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Photosbykev Posted December 8, 2010 Share Posted December 8, 2010 personally I use a Kendrick camera cozy to protect the camera body and my lens are wrapped in a neoprene sleeve to keep the frost off them and have heater tapes to protect the main optics Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ant Posted December 8, 2010 Share Posted December 8, 2010 Thats the sign of a good night Shouldn't do any harm, I would remove the battery for the camera and allow to completely warm/dry before turning on.Apart from that everything should be fine.ant Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m.tweedy Posted December 8, 2010 Share Posted December 8, 2010 you should see them after a night out at Kielder Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russ Posted December 8, 2010 Share Posted December 8, 2010 Certainly not a problem for the scope/mount. And just do as Ant says for the camera. If the forecast is right, hopefully that's how my setup will look after a nights observing/imaging. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveL Posted December 8, 2010 Share Posted December 8, 2010 Its fine, my stuff has looked like that (and worse) and survivedIt was after this particular evening that I moved from powering the kit from battery power to transformer power, as the dew straps sucked what little power was left from the freezing cold and poorly performing battery pack... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shibby Posted December 8, 2010 Author Share Posted December 8, 2010 Thanks chaps, that puts my mind at rest! Am I right in thinking that it's a good idea to dry off the mirrors with the hair drier when bringing it back in though? I can imagine drips leaving water marks on them?Are dew heaters expensive? I had a bit of a mare with the secondary frosting up! Although once I cleared it, it stayed good for the rest of the night. Would a dew shield be enough?Thats the sign of a good night Certainly was, my most productive night ever! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaunster Posted December 8, 2010 Share Posted December 8, 2010 taking your electrics from freezing cold to warm rooms could potentially cause larger problems.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moonshane Posted December 8, 2010 Share Posted December 8, 2010 Personally, I bring my optics in and let them dry off naturally completely overnight I'd suggest using even remotely warm air on the freezing optics could have disastrous consequences.As others suggested put something over the camera (I bet even a plastic bag lined with a scarf or similar would be better than nothing?).I think a dew shield would help your secondary problem try that first and then heaters if not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brantuk Posted December 8, 2010 Share Posted December 8, 2010 A reasonable dew heater system with basic controller and two heater strips will be around £120(ish) new. Or go s/h and you should be able to get them for around £90(ish). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simon84 Posted December 8, 2010 Share Posted December 8, 2010 Keep an eye out on astroboot as I managed to pick up a dual channel controller and two bands for the grand total of £25.I also second the Kendrick camera body sock from Altair Astro, £26 for peace of mind is much better than taking a chance with the camera thawing out indoors. I use 4" dew straps for my lenses and so far its done the job very well indeed.When things have got really bad I leave all the kit locked up in the shed and let it all warm up naturally. Pop the cover on the Newt but crack it open. Any water marks on the mirror shouldnt effect the perfomance too much but if left to dry naturally more or less totally dissapear anyway.Dont worry too much about the camera though, its only a Nikon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmahon Posted December 9, 2010 Share Posted December 9, 2010 Argh, Astroboot is closed! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmahon Posted December 9, 2010 Share Posted December 9, 2010 Until the New Year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MartinB Posted December 9, 2010 Share Posted December 9, 2010 I use a hair dryer if necessary during observing sessions - usually EPs but occasionally the secondary, the kit is too valuable to have to stop using it. Using a hairdryer is a waste of time when you bring the scope in though, you will still get the same residues. Let it dry naturally but leave the scope tilted so you don't get the dew dripping onto the primary.It seems a shame to use any sort of coat on the camera since this is likely to increase the temp of the chip. The cooler the chip the better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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