SD49425XB-HNR - Odd spotting on the lens

[Jake1979]

The attached photo is the worst, it depends on the lighting. most of time, I can make out what's out there. What is causing this and can I fix it? It doesn't matter if it's 40~ F or 80f~ the spots are still there.

 

[ktcanuck]

I assume you cleaned the lens surface but it sure looks like moisture drops or similar on the lens surface.

 

[Tinman]

Just like your car windshield, you can see fine if it's dirty but when driving into sun...it's hard to see anything.

 

[CanCuba]

Like @ktcanuck said, looks like rain drops. Could also be condensation inside the camera. How hard is it to access the cam?

 

[Jake1979]

I did clean the outside of the lens, I have to hang outside of my 2nd story window to get to it.

It seems like it's on the inside, is that possible?

 

[wittaj]

It is always possible it could be inside - it happens due to quick temp changes and the heat generated in the camera. Especially if you put in an SD card and the seal isn't tight.

 

[Starglow]

Is it there at night or on cloudy days also? It could be reflections from the sunlight hitting it from a very bad angle.

 

[Mike A.]

Does kind of look like it's filtering through the trees in that pic.

 

[TonyR]

My vote it's a combo of all the above: slight moisture inside the lens and filtered sunlight hitting at an angle as it comes through the trees.

Thermal cycling can draw in damp air as the housing cools off through poor, shrunken or dried out gaskets and seals, even via the pigtail going into the cam. It condenses inside, never gets out so it collects.

Oftentimes the cure is to bring the cam indoors, open it up in a dry environment, dry out with a hair dryer on low, let it stabilize to room temp, replace the desiccant packs and re-assemble, insuring all gaskets and seals are good, caulk those that appear to not seal well, caulk up inside pigtail also, use outdoor-rated silicone caulk.

EDIT 10/17: 0734 CT: I'd recommend this silicone caulk because it won't outgas as it cures which could fog up a lens. If used in place of a severely distorted, cut or missing gasket or seal, allow it to cure completely before re-assembly so it won't "squish out." ==>> Clear Electronic Grade Silicone - 2.8 oz Squeeze Tube

 

[Jake1979]

When you say open it up, is there an option to remove the from lens cover? I have not looked yet as it's 2 stories up. Even right now, on a cold day, I see the spots. Something must be dried on the inside. Kind of a bummer for an expensive camera.

 

[TonyR]

When you say open it up, is there an option to remove the from lens cover?

Let's ask @guykuo ...IRC, he's been inside one of more of those SD49425XB-HNR 's several times.

 

[guykuo]

You are going to pull down the camera to take care of this. Access is via the rear hatch of the sphere. Then you pull the camera module out the rear to access the window. Not safe or practical to do at altitude.