Camera and lenses for extreme cold weather

[thegrandpoohbah]

I will be starting a new job on Monday that pays very well (quite a nice change from the last 6 months of unemployment). That of course means that I will be able to afford some new camera gear. I will be picking up a 580EX II Speedlight first (in the next month or so) because the pop-up flash on my XSI is garbage. Then in about 6-8 months I will be picking up a new 7D, probably with the new 15-85mm IS USM kit lens. My main reasoning for this is the 8fps capability. I find that I am missing far too many action shots with my XSI's 3.5fps. I also want to get the 70-200mm f/2.8L IS plus an EF 2x II teleconverter for a little extra reach and versatility. This would be used mostly for shooting friend's weddings (not as a professional), wildlife, full moons, etc.

Now on to the questions. My understanding is that the 7D is weather sealed, correct? What would be a good wide-angle zoom L lens to complement the 70-200? I also shoot a lot of landscape photography and am planning to shoot the Aurora Borealis when it makes an appearance. I would be out in the snow in -40C weather so weatherproof is a must. I like the looks of the EF-S 10-22mm USM but am unsure if it can handle the conditions I would be taking it out in. What other lenses would you recommend for this situation? Maybe it's just me but it doesn't seem like Canon makes an ultrawide L series zoom lens...

[Quo Fan]

Weather proof is more like a damp seal than a cold seal. A weather proof camera is one that will work well in a wet environment, such as a light rain, or the heavy mist of a waterfall. Weather proofing is not intended to keep the internal components of the camera warm, just dry.

In shooting in extreme cold, acclimate your equipment before you start shooting. Be prepared to change batteries often, as cold decreases their potency.

I have the Canon 17-40 f4L and a 30D and find that 17mm is wide enough for me.

[dcclark]

I use my low-end Nikon D40 and a variety of lenses out in the cold quite often. It's usually not -40C, but certainly in the -10 to -20C range. Acclimatize your equipment by allowing it to slowly get colder (or warmer), and you'll be OK. Your main problem will be battery life -- batteries die FAST in cold weather. Have some spares handy, and in a pinch you can warm them against your body (which gets you a few extra exposures).

[OsmosisStudios]

I've used my D80 in -40 to -50C weather: I froze before it did.

[jdepould]

Cold isn't the problem. Going back in a heated building or car is the problem.

Spare batteries. Keep them inside your jacket. Swap them out regularly, even if you don't need to.

Going back inside, keep desiccant packs in your bag (I like zorb-it). If you like, put the camera in a big ziplock bag to take it back into a warm environment. Don't touch it for an hour or so. If you like, pull the memory card out before it goes in the bag, so you can upload while the camera thaws.

[thegrandpoohbah]

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

I've used my D80 in -40 to -50C weather: I froze before it did.

LOL. I love that the only person to respond who has actually experienced -40C is also Canadian!

I know about the battery life issue and to acclimatize the camera first. My concern as far as the weather sealing is more to do with snow falling on my equipment which would then melt upon being placed back in the camera bag and into a warm car. Probably not a huge issue realistically but I'd like to play it safe.

Just out of curiosity, exactly how water resistant is a 7D with an L lens on it? We get some pretty wicked thunder storms here but I sat out the last one because it was raining so hard and I was worried about my camera getting wet.

Thanks for all the tips!

[OsmosisStudios]

I dont think it'll be much of a problem: standard maintenance is a necessity, but it has to be done regardless of how well weather-sealed a body/lens combo is.

I had my un-sealed D80 with an un-sealed 50mm out in the snow and light rain: as long as you wipe it off either outside or soon after entering a warmer locale, you'll be fine. I carry a microfibre cloth with me at all times for just such a use.

[dcclark]

My totally un-sealed D40 with my 18-200 and my 10-24mm lenses has been out in the snow many times, even taking face-plants directly into snowbanks. It's survived just fine with no problems at all.

[thegrandpoohbah]

Good to know. I probably don't need the weather sealing as much as I think I do. I'm just still very paranoid about anything happening to my camera. The main deciding factor for this purchase is the 8fps.

Do you think the wide end of the 15-85mm will be good for landscape photography? I've read that it has a fair amount of barrel distortion. I'm not as worried about the vignetting as I usually shoot at f/8-11. Or should I reconsider the EF-S 10-22mm?

[dcclark]

Originally Posted by thegrandpoohbah

Good to know. I probably don't need the weather sealing as much as I think I do. I'm just still very paranoid about anything happening to my camera. The main deciding factor for this purchase is the 8fps.

Do you think the wide end of the 15-85mm will be good for landscape photography? I've read that it has a fair amount of barrel distortion. I'm not as worried about the vignetting as I usually shoot at f/8-11. Or should I reconsider the EF-S 10-22mm?

Barrel distortion hardly matters in landscapes. In most photos, you'll never notice it. If you have some strong lines which happen to be roughly parallel to one side or the other, you may notice it -- in which case Photoshop and Gimp both correct distortion quite easily.