How cold is too cold
With winter fast approaching in southern Ontario I am looking forward to winter hikes in (hopefully) deep snow. But the weather conditions always make me ask the question "how cold is too cold?" -40 celcius is not uncommon in Ontario in the winter. At what point will my equipment fail? I usually shoot wildlife, I usually keep my camera tucked into my coat untill I am ready to shoot and I usually hand hold a sigma 120-400mm on a Nikon D300. Under these conditions the camera will not fail. But what if I want to use a tripod and wait instead of looking for things? Any advise from other winter folks?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Sherry Webb on -
I have personally been out on many of these frigid mornings where uncovered skin starts burning uncomfortably after just a few minutes and then takes several minutes to warm up and that process brings tears to my eyes. Generally, when I come back to the truck, which I leave running; I quickly fold up the tripod leaving the camera attached and sit as long as it take to warm. The camera also gets the chance to warm as well. (on these mornings, I am wearing many layers including snowpants so, I am well dressed)
Some other mornings/days, I can stay out a bit longer due to bring a bit warmer. I haven't had camera failure yet but, my battery wears down in just a couple hours.
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Permalink Reply by John Read on -
Hi Jason:
I like the question, particularly when most DSLR's are rated only between 30-104 degrees! You might be able to get away with some of the covers you see in winter sports coverage. Some of them use AquaTech (http://www.aquatech.net/sport-shields.php)
Sports covers. I guess if it really gets cold, you can always use a pocket hand warmer! lol
I guess the biggest problem will be condensation, from the change in temperature, but once you have it wiped off you should be okay.
Good luck!
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Permalink Reply by Sean on -
Use hand warmers wrapped in a cover over your camera...it might help...maybe not at the extreme, but it can keep your camera body/batteries warmer than the outside temperature.
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Permalink Reply by Sean on
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I used them with my camcorder and it worked out fine. it was one of the ones you use when you ski that goes inside your gloves.
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Permalink Reply by riddell on -
I've used my 1ds in -25ºC with no problems. but I am aware of photographers working down to -45ºC who've had the grease on the bearing / spindle on the shutter freeze solid.
The solution is to replace the grease with special grease designed to operate at lower temperatures.
Paul
www.photographybyriddell.co.uk
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