Ever shoot in one extreme temperature then go to another? You may have and not even realized it. It is as simple as taking your camera from inside your home and going outside to take pictures in the snow. Another common reverse example is going into warm and humid climate from a cool dry air-conditioned building. In both circumstances you are shooting from one extreme temperature to another and that can be taxing on your camera and lenses. Fortunately this is easily taken care of and there are simple things you can do to keep your equipment safe by preventing stress.
There is a kind of shock that electronic devices go through when subjected to a sudden change in environment. Just like you it may take some time to fully adjust to the new climate. The big difference being you have a sophisticated biological system that can compensate allowing you to handle the sudden changes fairly smoothly and without hiccups; your devices, on the other hand, are inanimate objects with electronics that should adjust in temperature for those electronic components to work optimally. So the easy fix, just give your equipment some time before you turn it on and begin shooting.
Whether you go from cold to hot or hot to cold there is still a chance of getting some kind of condensation build up inside your camera or lenses. This can be especially frustrating with SLR camera lenses. A great way to minimize and combat this problem is by using plastic bags. This isn’t a very practical way to keep your gear all the time but when you know you will be changing environments frequently or you are traveling and aren’t sure what to expect it’s a good idea to keep your cameras and lenses inside separate sealed plastic bags with as little air as possible. These bags don’t weigh much and take up very little room so it may not be a bad idea to just keep a few in your case, just in case.
You know those little packets that come in all your camera bags and sox and shoes? Those packets, if you didn’t already know, are filled with silica. I know your first instinct is to toss them but they are very handy. Those packets are designed to remove moisture. Keep them in your bag and when you are using those plastic bags keep one in each that way you won’t have to worry about possible moisture build up in vital electronic circuits. As for the lenses, it will help prevent condensation build up and eventual fogging of internal lens elements which can take much longer to dissipate. If you do have moisture condensation on any of the external elements, wipe it off quickly with your lens cloth.
Preventative measures are the best ways to keep you gear running the longest and with as little errors as possible. The best preventative measures are not just about good habits; they are about understanding and putting that understanding to use by way of systems that keep you shooting smoothly without hassle or worry.