9 degree weather and Flash Cards

12/12/2005 08:59:04 PM · #1

I will shortly be venturing to 'theme park' where they have the set temperature of this indoor winter wonderland at a cool 9 degrees to keep all the ice sculptures from melting.

I will not be bringing my Olympus camera with me as that management of the place states in the press release that they will not be responsible for damage done to cameras due to extreme cold. I don't want to risk that.

My question is the day prior I will be taking tons of photos at another local that will be stored on the flash card. I do not want to leave it and the camera in the hotel's safe - I was wondering if I could safely store/carry the Flashcard on my person without it being damaged? I have a Lexar CompactFlash 256 MB.

cpanaioti

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM

12/12/2005 09:03:48 PM · #2

The only thing I've seen happen is the camera not operating at all due to the lack of juice from the batteries. No damage to the camera or memory medium.

ShorterThanJesus

Nikon D300

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

12/12/2005 09:06:01 PM · #3

^^(I'm too slow)^^

From what I've seen and heard, memory cards are pretty well invincible.

But the temperature warning is interesting to me as -12(c) is really not that cold for around here and I was really looking forward to some winter photos. Everything I had heard up to now was that the camera will operate just fine in the cold and will not suffer any negative consequences as long as you avoid sudden temperature changes (and the condensation which they cause).

Equally anxious for information.

Message edited by author 2005-12-12 21:06:41.

kearock

Nikon D90

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED

12/12/2005 09:06:39 PM · #4

Living in New Hampshire (and also spending a lot of time in the Oregon Cascades) I've used all of my cameras (and related cards) in cold weather and never had a problem, nor do I know anyone who has.

faidoi

Pentax K10D

Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF

12/12/2005 09:07:53 PM · #5

Make sure it's kept in it's case.

Interesting that Sandisk market there Extreme III's built to perform in the most extreme environments and temperaturesâ��from
-13Âº F to 185Âº F
-25Âº C to 85Âº C

Keeping batteries close to the body will keep them from discharging with the cold weather.

Nikon D200

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

12/12/2005 09:08:55 PM · #6

I've taken my camera skiing in 0 degree weather with no ill effects - just watch out for condensation upon return to warm environment. I have done this with multiple memory cards, including the Lexar you mentioned.

The cold will affect your batteries, so I usually wear the neck strap and keep it tucked in my jacket until ready to use it.

cpanaioti

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM

12/12/2005 09:09:30 PM · #7

It's usually the lower end cameras that have an issue with battery power. I've used my 10D at about -15C without issue.

mesmeraj

12/12/2005 09:09:30 PM · #8

i ran a CF through the washer and dryer twice through the dryer actually with no harm done...

fotomann_forever

12/12/2005 09:14:07 PM · #9

Just to mention, if the card is on your person, it will not be 9 degrees to start with. An inside jacket pocket would provide a nice warm enviroment for it.

magnus

Canon EOS-30D

Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS for Canon

12/12/2005 09:23:39 PM · #10

I've used my 10D in -15F (-26C) without any problems. The only thing to worry about is a sudden increase in temperature and humidity. So if it's warm and humid outside the park, then bringing a camera could cause a condesation problem when you leave. But if it's a really dry day, I'd be tempted to bring the camera, Ice sculptures are great subjects!

12/12/2005 09:30:18 PM · #11

Originally posted by magnus:

The park is located in the tropical region of FL. so the temperatures outside the theme park could well be warm and humid. Going from 9 degree weather directly to (checking current weather temperature today) 68 degrees (or higher as that it possible the temperature could be higher in the coming two weeks) may well cause some damage. Thus the concern.

12/12/2005 09:31:58 PM · #12

Originally posted by fotomann_forever:

Just to mention, if the card is on your person, it will not be 9 degrees to start with. An inside jacket pocket would provide a nice warm enviroment for it.

Hmmm, quite right, good point. It would/should remain at a steady temperature such that the change in outside environment temperatures should not cause a shock to it.

cpanaioti

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM

12/12/2005 10:01:53 PM · #13

If you have an airtight container you can put it in before you leave the house that would probably work (Ziplock comes to mind). Just let the camera acclimatize before taking it out of the container. Ditto when leaving. Put it in the container before leaving then when you get home wait until it has acclimatized again before opening the container.

It is very important that the container is air tight.

Spork99

OM System OM-1

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

12/12/2005 11:29:06 PM · #14

Originally posted by mesmeraj:

i ran a CF through the washer and dryer twice through the dryer actually with no harm done...

I've done that a few times too..

Anders

Nikon D300

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.4G

12/13/2005 06:10:41 AM · #15

last year i was using a fujifilm 6800 (Smart Media card) in -20'C with no problems at all (although the battery did have a noticibly shorter life). i would think the memory card would be fine- especially the newer ones

merheim

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

12/13/2005 06:24:54 AM · #16

Just one or to plastic bags to wrap the camera in will do, close them airtight with a knot or similar. Put the camera in the bag before leaving the cold area.

The problem is when you are in the cold place humidity is very low, so no problems will occur when going from warm to cold.

When going from cold to warm (and high humidity), water (and in some cases) ice will condense/form on and INSIDE the camera, this is NOT good!

After you have wrapped the camera in plasticbags (or ziplcok as somebody suggested) you can put it in a camerabag or wrap it in some clothing to make the temperature change go slower, this will reduce any risk if the plastic bags are not airtight. Dont open the plastic bag until the camerabody has reached the same temperature as the surrondings.

So doing the above you can actually go to the place and take some "cool" photos..