For those who went to the cold places in Winter ... a weird question

[Anne_Aus]

Just wondering if you had a special camera that could take the extreme conditions or if you just used your normal camera?

I am debating whether I should purchase one that can take up to -10 degrees or if I can just go with my usual digital camera

Thanks

 

[Aussie Wendy]

My husband says he wouldn't go to that expense! but we have had issues with ours playing up in extremes of cold and super hot (Dubai) though never completely not working. You are right in thinking they don't like the extremes- though for cold I think it seemed the batteries were the main issue. Changed them over to new ones (from inner pouch so warmer) and worked fine but then put others back in without recharge and worked OK again. He had a workmate travel US last winter in snow and all and he has a typical digital camera and he seemed to have no problems-if you do stick with yours suggest keep it in warmer bag (next to extra jumper or something) in between times you have it out. Our issues have all been with it hanging around neck for a few hours in cold/hot though my daughter's cheaper version has been fine. How much do they cost? and are you going somewhere that might get REALLY cold? I would post this Q on general boards so US locals from cold climes can give you expert info.

 

[Lulu83]

We just used our normal camera which is a Canon point and shoot digital, about 5 years old and still going strong.

The coldest we used it in was probably about -10 degrees, we had it out in the snow with us many times. We did get colder than that but our fingers were so numb by that stage we didn't bother getting the camera out in those places

We didn't have any problems. DH usually kept the camera on his body (e.g. in his jacket pocket) and it was always in a case when we weren't using it, and we made sure to keep the lens closed when it wasn't in use too. We were also careful not to use the zoom function after it had been out for a while, because we'd heard from friends that the lens can "freeze" in position and won't move.

The lens would often fog up when we first took the camera out and it was just a matter of waiting for it to aclimatise. If you start rubbing at it that can cause scratching.

A battery recharger is a great idea as thinking back we probably did get less usage than usual.

I think there is a photography board somewhere on the Dis so perhaps as the PP has suggested maybe ask some US locals on there for their opinion as well?

 

[PrincessInOz]

We've taken our point and shoot up skiing and it was about -10 to - 15 during the day. We kept the camera in one of the jacket pockets and it seemed to take pictures fine.

We've also taken the P&S into Arizona, Utah and Colorado in winter/snow and it was fine.

And it would make an interesting question for the Photoboard. I think (but not sure) I've seen one about the cold asked there but not for a while....lots about the Florida humidity.

 

[queenie82]

I've had trouble with my first digital in the cold. The others will run slow at times. Take extra batteries as a minimum.

Film P&S always work so I still carry as a backup.

 

[PrincessInOz]

I've had trouble with my first digital in the cold. The others will run slow at times. Take extra batteries as a minimum.

Film P&S always work so I still carry as a backup.

Film?? Really, are you THAT old??

 

[queenie82]

Film?? Really, are you THAT old??

What's that? Where's my magnifying glass...and my hearing aid...
Wait...need my zimmer first...

Yep...I still carry it when I go to the snow. But only the snow.
Anywhere else the digital has been fine. Try and keep it near your body under a good coat.
But I had the first digital one I got in 2003 just shutdown at one point.

It is all about batteries...

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

This is very interesting and not something I had even considered.

How will I carry my beast in the cold if I can't have it slung over my shoulder. Hmmm, I will have to have a very big jacket and will potentially look like I swallowed a camera

 

[PrincessInOz]

What's that? Where's my magnifying glass...and my hearing aid...
Wait...need my zimmer first...

Yep...I still carry it when I go to the snow. But only the snow.
Anywhere else the digital has been fine. Try and keep it near your body under a good coat.
But I had the first digital one I got in 2003 just shutdown at one point.

It is all about batteries...

...for that hearing aid of yours. Did you remember where you put your magnifying glass?

Memory gone is the first sign of old age...which is why my TR is stalled. I have pictures but cannot remember ... ..... might have to resort to your trick of just posting pics.

 

[BecBennett]

I didn't know that cold could be an issue, we took our P&S into -16 temps and didn't have a problem at all.

 

[zanzibar138]

I have a special one for cold that is also waterproof, dustproof and shockproof. I loved it for our trip as I just didn't have to worry about it. I also took my other camera as it takes better quality photos, but I always got out the waterproof one when it was raining, on rides that splash etc. Didn't have to worry about dropping it either (only on rides when I would have lost it lol!) or getting knocked around a bit in crowds. The only time I really had problems with it was for the night time shows - it's just not high enough quality to handle darkness.

 

[HappyFingers]

we have just purchased a panasonic lumix ft3

it cost $360 delivered to my door from hong kong
same camera in jbhifi or camera world in the city $600

Australian Retail you lose again

what am i supposed to do ? Pay twice the price ?

also purchased a philoshave shaver 1290 the best one they have from amazon last week for $280 delivered, same shaver (exact) cost $600 at shaver shop, harvey norman, etc.

who pays $600 for a shaver ?

so as much as i Love my Country ( I really do love this country)
I have bills to pay and i find it offensive that they take us to be fools whom dont know how to use google

the markup is downright insulting
if they want my money then they have to play fair
when checking prices, i will take into account GST and I will take into account the higher wages retailers have to pay, but i will not take into account blatant price gouging

Googler and proud

 

[Anne_Aus]

Aussie Wendy thanks for the advice, I am heading into Jackson Hole and Canada - the falls and Toronto in January/ early February. The one I am looking at isn't too pricy under $200 including delivery.

Lulu and Princessinoz glad to know neither of you had problems, it might be something I can play by ear and have the choice of buying over there if I feel I need it. I also checked out the photography section but didn't find much out

Queenie I found about 3 cameras last week that all take film, some even had unfinished rolls in them... so nothing wrong with good old film. I just like to see my pictures on screen and have unlimited amount.

BecBennet apparently the cold can make the metal shrink a little and allow moisture into the inside of the camera, I have no idea how long you would need it out in the cold for or how likely it is though.

Zanzibar your camera sounds similar to the ones I have been looking at, I am also thinking it would be useful since I am going on a cruise where I am sure people would be crazy.

Oh I love panasonic cameras I have the Lumix tz whatever number model we are up to now. Whenever I decide I want a new camera I just upgrade to whatever is out that year lol.

Happyfingers I am the same with google, I use to feel bad, but the savings are just too big to ignore,

 

[shushh]

My DSLR coped with temps down to -8 C. I was taking photos in the blizzard in NY. I did have it in my small lowepro case most of the time though rather than out. I also had spare batteries just in case but didn't need to use them. Not sure if the camera would have coped with temps any lower.

Don't know about my P&S as I forgot to load the memory card into it so it didn't used...

 

[platypus67]

Never had a problem with any camera in the cold. Hubby said something about batteries needing to be recharged more often, but that's about all.