| Author | Thread |
|
|
11/30/2006 11:13:27 AM · #1 |
At what temp is it too cold for a camera? Winter has hit and it's freezing outside (-20C with the wind and only going to get colder) but the light is awesome. I don't want to risk killing my camera but I would love to take some outdoor shots.
Any suggestions? |
|
|
|
11/30/2006 11:21:02 AM · #2 |
Good lord, woman, move south!! heheeee
I think cameras can handle pretty cold temps (and hot temps) as long as the exposure isn't very long. You could keep the camera in your bag (where its insulated) until you're ready to shoot, then return it to the bag when you're finished and should be fine. I think condensation would be your enemy though.
|
|
|
|
11/30/2006 11:25:26 AM · #3 |
| And, battery life will be diminished by the cold so you might want to have a couple of spares on hand. |
|
|
|
11/30/2006 11:29:26 AM · #4 |
Thanks! Just had visions of frozen pieces of broken camera lying at my feet!! Needed a little reassurance before taking it out.
Lol, and to think - this will be 'nice' weather come January/February! Believe me, the south is calling when it gets like that! |
|
|
|
11/30/2006 11:32:03 AM · #5 |
I've shot in -40C with a couple of cameras with no real issues.
LCDs can get a bit weird when they get too cold, but that tends to recover when they warm up again.
Batteries really die quickly in cold weather. Take spares - and keep the spares in an inside pocket to keep them warm, or they'll die quickly too.
Exposed metal gets very cold - wear thin liner gloves with thicker gloves over them - then you can just pull a hand out to shoot.
Same for tripod legs - pipe insulation is good to cover metal parts.
Try not to breathe on the camera, it'll just freeze.
the biggest issue is when you come back into a warm environment.
You must keep the camera in some sort of (preferably sealed/air tight) bag until it warms up again, to avoid condensation/ moisture. Put the camera in a gallon zip-loc bag when you are outside and leave it in the bag until it has warmed up again to room temp. Same for any lenses you have with you.
I have the same problem here in Texas, going from indoor air conditioning to shoot outdoors in the summer.
Message edited by author 2006-11-30 11:32:45.
|
|
|
|
11/30/2006 11:35:14 AM · #6 |
And when people say the batteries die quickly, they mean it. With temperatures like -20C, it's possible that you'll get 10-20 minutes out of the battery. Sometimes warming up a "dead" one will give you a little more time but they do go quickly. I've also read that people use desiccant (those little "do not eat me) baggies that come in shoe boxes and stuff) to help with the moisture issue.
|
|
|
|
11/30/2006 11:36:00 AM · #7 |
Thanks!
I never would have thought of a ziploc bag but great idea! I don't own a tripod yet, so no worries there. I think I usually hold my breath when I'm shooting anyways so that won't be an issue!
So, cuddle my batteries, ziploc my camera, and hold my breath...I'm good to go! |
|
Home -
Challenges -
Community -
League -
Photos -
Cameras -
Lenses -
Learn -
Help -
Terms of Use -
Privacy -
Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2026 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 01/03/2026 04:50:00 AM EST.
