Photo: Mitchell Clark Summer is in full swing in the northern hemisphere, and with it comes hot weather and plenty of sunshine. It also means road trips and travel for many. While you likely want your camera on hand to document your journey and create photographs along the way, summer trips can introduce risks for your camera gear.
Below you'll find some suggestions on how to keep your camera safe and in good working order during your summer road trips.
Don't store your camera in your car
Graphic: CDC
Locking your camera in your car can be risky for multiple reasons. One that most people already know is that expensive gear is a perfect target for break-ins and theft. The last thing you want is to return from lunch to discover a broken window and your camera gone. We'd advise against storing your camera in your car solely because of that.
While potential theft is reason enough, summer heat is also very dangerous for your expensive gear. Cars can heat up to extreme temperatures very quickly. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the temperature inside a car can rise by 20 degrees Fahrenheit in just 10 minutes, even with a cracked window. On an 80°F day, the inside of your car could reach 123°F in an hour.
Extreme heat is hard on things, and leaving your gear in such conditions can cause damage.
Extreme heat is hard on things, and leaving your gear in such conditions can cause damage. The electronics, plastic and rubber components, lubricants, sensor and battery are all susceptible to heat damage. In especially hot locations like Arizona and Nevada, cars can even get hot enough to warp and melt plastic, which your camera has a lot of.
Desert locations can get especially hot in the summer, so take extra care in those places.
Photo: Mitchell Clark
Even if temperatures aren't extreme enough to melt plastic, they can damage components in different ways and shorten the life of your camera. Plus, beyond potential damage, most modern cameras will shut down or go to sleep if they get too warm. You don't want to arrive at an amazing viewpoint and discover that you can't shoot a video clip or take a photo because your camera is too warm from being in the car. To keep your camera safe and to keep shooting, bring it with you whenever possible so it isn't sitting in your roasting car.
If you absolutely must store your camera in your car, consider using an insulated bag or cooler without ice (you don't want to cause water damage instead of heat damage). It's also good to tuck that cooler somewhere it will be out of direct sun, such as under a seat or in the trunk. A well-padded camera bag can also offer some insulation. Then, make sure to keep your time away from the car as short as possible.
Avoid condensation and fogging
Photo: Abby Ferguson
If you're traveling in humid environments, condensation and fogging are additional concerns. You've likely experienced your glasses or sunglasses fogging when stepping into or out of heavily air-conditioned spaces during hot, humid weather. The same thing happens to your camera's lenses, which can leave you unable to take photos until it dissipates.
Unfortunately, there's no quick fix for a fogged lens because of rapid temperature changes. To avoid the problem entirely, you'll need to allow your camera to acclimate gradually, which prevents moisture from condensing on (and inside) your camera. Keep your camera in a camera bag when moving from air conditioning to outside, and wait to open the bag until the temperature has equalized. This can take 10 to 20 minutes.
I like to hang onto the silica gel packets that come with purchases and toss them in my camera bags to help keep moisture at bay.
Photo: Abby Ferguson
Alternatively, you can place your camera in a sealed plastic bag (like a Ziploc), which will adjust faster than a padded camera bag. It can also help to store some silica gel packs in your bag (either a camera bag or a plastic bag), as they will absorb excess moisture.
Sometimes, though, you can't wait 10 minutes before taking photos. If you need to use your camera right away, you can wipe the condensation off with a microfiber cloth. It will return fairly quickly until the temperature equalizes, which can take a few minutes or more, but you may at least be able to get a few shots in between wipes without fogging.
Have a comfortable way of carrying your gear
While you'll be spending time in the car, hopefully you also have plenty of time to stretch your legs and use your camera, too. When that's the case, you'll need a safe and comfortable way to carry your camera. Camera straps are great when you don't need anything other than the camera, but a backpack or bag may be necessary when you need to have more with you or don't want the camera out.
That pack doesn't need to be a dedicated camera bag, but having some way to store and protect your camera is smart. If you're hiking during your road trip, you may want to spend a bit more time considering how you'll carry your camera during those hikes.
Don't forget cleaning tools
Photo: Abby Ferguson
Summer road trips generally mean plenty of outside time, too, which can expose your gear to all sorts of environmental hazards, such as dust, dirt, pollen, rain and more. A good set of cleaning tools is a must, then. A bulb blower is the first tool we recommend, as it can clear all sorts of debris from your camera (inside and out) and lens without touching anything. That means there's limited risk of scratches or damage from dragging something across the surface.
A lens cleaning pen is also helpful. Most offer a soft brush on one side and a non-liquid cleaning compound on the other for more stubborn debris on your lenses. For more serious messes, I like to have lens cleaning liquid and a microfiber cloth on hand as well.
Take advantage of your car's charging capabilities
Finally, while not a safety tip, don't forget about charging options in your car. All recent camera models charge via USB-C, and most modern cars offer USB ports that can charge your devices. It's a convenient way to top off your camera's charge while spending those hours in the car, making sure you don't arrive at your destination with a dead camera battery.
. dpreview.com2025-7-22 16:00
