cold temps and cameras

[jann1033]

anyone know the lowest temp you can safely use a camera..i thought it was someplace in the manual but can't find it. says battery is about 450 shots at zero so guessing zero would be safe? it's -1 now ( think it's around -15 or so wind chill but think that only applies to living things) and i wanted to go take some shots before it snows again.

 

[gokenin]

on another forum I read there have been pictures posted by guys that have recently shot late night up in canada with temps down to 14 below fahrenheit so I would say its safe. You just need to bring spare batteries and keep them warm is all.

 

[My2Girls66]

Found this...maybe it'll help.
http://www.nyip.com/ezine/outdoors/coldtemps.html

 

[Groucho]

These guys shot their DSLR into space where it hit temps of -60F and the camera was not bothered in the least. It was weathersealed (K10D) but regardless, that seems like a pretty good indication that they are built to survive some fairly harsh environments.

I would be more concerned about the condensation that will form when you come back inside than what the cold will do.

 

[cpbjgc]

I have shot outside in -30 to -35 celsius (I can't remember my Farenheit conversion off hand), and often shoot when its around -20 celsius with no problems. Battery life is shorter, so be ready for that, and don't plan on shooting for a good while once you get inside (bad for the battery and condensation). One way to control condensation and preserve battery life is to keep the camera close to your body under your outerwear and just bring it out for the shots.

As for condensation, that is not a huge problem until you head inside and there is some humidity in the air. It's usually dry when it is that cold so you won't get condensation taking the camera in and out of you outerwear. Where you have the problem is when you get back into a warm enclosed space.

Don't let the cold weather keep you inside!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I believe I've seen the suggestion of placing your camera into a sealed plastic bag in order to reduce condensation when going between extreme conditions.

 

[jann1033]

I believe I've seen the suggestion of placing your camera into a sealed plastic bag in order to reduce condensation when going between extreme conditions.

i have done that in the past and it's worked. it actually recommends that in my manual. i started wondering about this since it also says there to only use the battery between 32-104 degrees. which made me wonder how low i could go.( usually i don't go out if it's much lower than 20 or so just cause i don't work so well under those temps) usually i do keep it in my jacket unless i,m actually using it and hadn't had a problem but it had been colder than usual