Cameras and the Cold - DPChallenge Forums

Pentax D-FA* 70-200mm f/2.8 ED DC AW

10/18/2008 02:15:05 PM · #1

I leave my camera and lenses in my car during school, but it gets pretty cold here in Montana. How cold can a camera deal with? Lenses? Should i be worried about my memory cards or my batteries?

K3Master

Pentax K-3

10/18/2008 02:17:30 PM · #2

If you're leaving your equipment in the car, you have more to worry about than the cold. NEVER leave your equipment in the car! (Trunk at very best, but even then...)

*EDIT* Ok, I'll also answer the question. If you're going to have your stuff sit in colder temperatures for a period of time, it's probably best to keep them in a lined bag of some sort to at least keep them insulated to a degree. What you'll really have to worry about is not the cold itself, but the condensation that can occur when they warm up. If they are left out there, try not to bring them into a very warm atmosphere immediately, and go find a bunch of those silica things to put in your camera bags and whatnot to absorb excess moisture. Warm them up as gradually as you can and/or make sure the condensation has cleared up before turning things on.

Message edited by author 2008-10-18 14:23:00.

Pentax D-FA* 70-200mm f/2.8 ED DC AW

10/18/2008 02:25:47 PM · #3

ok sounds good. and i lock my car, so no worries about that lol. i always seem to be in need of those silica things but never seem to have any. grr

K3Master

Pentax K-3

10/18/2008 02:37:49 PM · #4

Originally posted by JDubsgirl:

ok sounds good. and i lock my car, so no worries about that lol. i always seem to be in need of those silica things but never seem to have any. grr

Locking your car is kind of a false security. Just promise me you won't leave any of that in view of anyone walking by or able to look into the windows and see what's laying around. I know far too many people that have lost far too much camera equipment to a broken window.

Patrick_R

Canon EOS-60D

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM

10/18/2008 02:39:01 PM · #5

agreed about the car thing why dont you carry it in with you?

soup

Canon EOS-30D

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

10/18/2008 02:41:12 PM · #6

you'll always have dead batteries...

d56ranger

Canon EOS-20D

10/18/2008 04:09:15 PM · #7

OOkay! This is the longest post I've submitted but cold is my specialty. I'm not going to address the security of a car.

I live in northern Minnesota, about 30 mi from Embarrass, MN where the coldest temperature ever recorded in the continental US was measured (-60F/-51C). Forty below isn't uncommon in the winter. We here are use to the cold but, needless to say, cameras can take a beating because of it. However, I've learned a lot the hard way, that the beating can be minimized.

Since I do a lot of shooting outside (BTW, I've never had a dead battery because of the cold as long as you keep them warm), I keep several batteries in my inside jacket pocket for warmth. As the batteries get weak because of the cold I just change them out. I put the cold battery in a zip lock bag in an inside pocked to warm back up to be used again. They regain a huge amount of charge after warming. The zip lock bag keeps condensation off the battery and out of the camera.

After shooting, I put the camera in a zip lock bag before going inside. This allows the condensation to form on the outside of the bag and the camera stays dry. You can take the camera out of the bag after the bag drys off which indicates the camera has warmed up to room temp. Be careful! Without the bag, condensation may migrate into any camera crack such as the battery compartment, card slot, lens attachment area, etc.

OK, going the other way - warm inside to cold outside. You don't have to worry as much unless it is snowing. Snow melts on a warm camera and as the camera gets cold the the snow, now water, freezes and the camera can freeze up (switches, etc.) I use standard rain protection or keep it tucked inside my oversized jacket.

When changing lenses, batteries, cards, etc. I carry a large clear plastic bag in my pocket. I use it like a tent for the camera and equipment It's large enough for me to get my camera bag and both arms in for any changing that is needed.

My tripod has foam pipe insulation on the upper legs. It's handy when when having to use bare hands on very cold metal; the foam insulation also serves as padding when I carry it on my shoulder for long distances.

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 ED

10/18/2008 10:48:10 PM · #8

cool! thanks d56ranger. anyways carrying all my stuff with me at all times is not a possibility, since im in school 7 hours of most days. and im certainly not stupid enough to leave my 70-200 lens just sitting there waving at passerbys, so no worries.

BeeCee

Nikon D40

10/19/2008 02:04:55 AM · #9

Originally posted by JDubsgirl:

Believe me, it doesn't have to be in sight.

This was in a local park, people coming and going, middle of the afternoon, nothing of value in the car. They rifled through both car and trunk but took nothing. Nearly $500 for a new window.

edit to correct window price

Message edited by author 2008-10-19 02:07:32.