I've been using my camera in misty/rainy weather a lot recently and whilst giving my camera and lenses some tlc yesterday I noticed a few very small specks inside the front element which I'm fairly certain are mould. I'm wondering how you go about, firstly, keeping the stuff at bay and secondly, getting the stuff removed?
I always do my best at drying my camera and lens after it's been used in wet weather and in cool dry weather when I know the humidity is low I spread all my gear out on a table to give it a good chance to dry out.
I also keep dessicant packets in my camera bag but I fear that they just havent been replaced often enough with all this rain & humidity (which is no doubt why I have this problem), how often do you replace these or tell when the current ones are no longer doing their job? I must admit the ones that are in there don't feel quite as crunchy as they should and havent been replaced for a few of months... Any idea where is a good source of replacement of these packets?
For fixing it before the mould gets any bigger or causes damage to the glass and as I don't really want to open up the lens and try to clean it myself I guess it will have to go off to a licensed repairer, have you used someone that you would be happy to recommend?
any information or advice appreciated
Its a nice soft diffused light on rainy days which is great for photos, pity its so bad for camera equpiment...