cold weather Photo's

[Bentwing]

Being new to DSLR is there any advice any one can give about proper care of my camera in cold weather. I probably wouldn't be out in anything much colder than -20 Celsius.

[j_r_reynolds]

I could use some information on this subject as well, however I'll see temperatures as low as -40C. I've heard a few things about batteries not lasting very long in the cold and would like to hear ways help keep them warm. Also what dangers are there when the camera goes from the cold outdoors to warm indoors.

Any other info would be helpful

[NaturesPixel]

batteries are best kept warm soo i keep spares inside my clothes...

as for your camera, the thing is not to condensation forming with inside the body parts.. soo before coming inside place it inside of a ziplock plastic bag to when you do bring it inside the condensation forms on the bag and not the camera leave it in the bag till it gets to room temp.

[baseballboy828]

Bring extra batteries, as they won't last as long. Keep your camera inside your coat, as close to your body as possible. This way it stays nice and toasty. If you plan to carry a tripod, make sure you have leg wraps on it. Be sure to bring some cloths if condensation gets on the lens/camera. What camera body do you have? A pro body is always a good idea (Nikon D200, Canon 5D or better). An entry level body won't keep out condensation as well.

[NaturesPixel]

Some reading material

http://www.ephotozine.com/article/Se...er-photography

http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,11...1/article.html

http://www.naturescapes.net/122003/ej1203.htm

[NaturesPixel]

Originally Posted by baseballboy828

An entry level body won't keep out condensation as well.

its not the cold that hurts it .. it is the bring the camera back into the warmth (reason for ziplock bag) i do this with my point and shoot i did it with my D50 and i will do it with my D80

[rediguana]

Something I've heard, but not checked or tried, is that you can secure a pocket warmer near the battery compartment on the camera (probably wrapped in a couple of layers to reduce the direct heat) to keep the in camera battery warm to improve battery life.

I'd be interested if anyone has tried this, or knows a reason why this technique shouldn't be used (other than of course having something a little too warm coming in contact with the plastic). Only other this I could think of would be introducing noise to the sensor maybe?

[baseballboy828]

Originally Posted by NaturesPixel

its not the cold that hurts it .. it is the bring the camera back into the warmth (reason for ziplock bag) i do this with my point and shoot i did it with my D50 and i will do it with my D80

Breath too. If you look into the viewfinder for a while, you start sending a fair amount of vapor towards the camera. Not the best thing for all the buttons on the outside, although not as bad as going from cold to warm too quickly.

[Caine]

The only camera I've had out in the cold is my Nikon Coolpix L1, and I've had it out in -20 Fahrenheit. Never had a problem with it or batteries. I don't know how my Coolpix S50 will do this winter, supposedly the batteries don't do well in cold.

When I'm not shooting, I keep my camera under 3 sweatshirts. Same with batteries. I always have paper towels in one pocket or another.

[Nicole]

Could also try those little silica gel packets that you get in shoes and other things inside the ziplock bag to help absorb the moisture. There may also be some extra info in this older thread too .