ADVICE on taking my Camera into the CoLD

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DinoS

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Hi

i am going to the ice hotel next year and i am wondering wether i should take my camera or not. I would love to get some pictues of the northen lights but i do not want to break my camera.

is it safe to do it, have any of you done it. What should i do to keep it from breaking

many thanks

M
 
The cold will not harm it unless it's very very cold... at very cold temps the camera may cease to work or work slowly as the lubrication used is not designed to work that way.

You should be ok if you keep it warm under your jacket when not in use and take it out only for short periods of time.

When coming back in out of the cold try to keep the camera in it's bag or in your jacket again until it warms up to prevent condensation from building up on it and don't open it up especially (like swapping a lens or removing a Cf card.

Same thing applies to memory cards as well in fact anything electronic in nature.
 
i think it may be -20c is that going to harm it.

If it was very cold could it break break it or would it just not work in the cold but once back in the warm it would work again.

thanks
M
 
The Canon stated minimum operating temperature for the 400D is +-0 degrees celcius.

You are unlikely to harm the camera by taking it down to -20 so long as you take Steep's advice, but you may find that it simply does not work or becomes very sluggish in operation.
 
What things could go wrong with it if someting does happen could the mirror break.

ANyone else have any other good tips like steep and hoodi?

thanks
M
 
My advice would be take a spare battery with you and keep it in your pocket. Then if your camera battery packs up then pop the spare in and put the other in your pocket to warm up. Also be carefull of taking your camera from a very cold place into a very warm place and vice versa.
 
I remember reading somewhere that batteries lasted just a few minutes for some guy up in the Arctic so that's a good idea. 400duser it's possible that if it gets cold enough the shutter could jam and get damaged, that's a risk you have to decide for yourself to take. I would email Canon service and ask them about it.
 
Hi

thanks for that, i am really not sure i do not want to break my camera but i would love to get some photos of the northen lights.

i do not no.

M
 
Their website says it "plummets towards -30".

I second Steep's advice, email Canon. I spent 3 months (Jan Feb Mar) in that neck of the woods once and the problems that intense cold causes with mechanical equipment is an education.
 
I used my D200 in BC, Canada at -26c last november alongside my D50. The battery lasted around 3/4's of a day on the D50 and half a day on the D200. I even dropped the D50 in the snow totalling approx. 2 feet deep. Just picked it up, wiped off the snow/water and it kept working. I've swpped lenses and changed memory cards without issue too.

Its up to you if you bring it or not, thats not up to us to decide for you.

King.
 
Thanks for that, has anyone taken a 400D into cold conditions,

KING any advice on storage and what did you do while walking with it.
 
Swapping lenses etc. outside is not the problem I meant, but after you have come into a warm area from the cold you should always wait till the camera warms up first.
 
Thanks for all you advice i still have to make up my own mind but any more tips or advice really appreciated

M
 
400duser said:
Thanks for that, has anyone taken a 400D into cold conditions,

KING any advice on storage and what did you do while walking with it.
Click to expand...

Steep said:
Swapping lenses etc. outside is not the problem I meant, but after you have come into a warm area from the cold you should always wait till the camera warms up first.
Click to expand...

The D200 was slung over the shoulder with a Nikkor 300 f/2.8 VR attached (borrowed at the time) and the D50 in a toploader hip bag with a Nikkor 12-24 DX attached. I wasnt too concered about the D200 combo as it is weather-sealed. But when we were actually luckily enough to be able to drive the kit was kept in the 'trunk' of the jeep. This had a cover over the top but was still subject to he cold as there was obviously no heating. When we stayed indoors the cameras were kept packed and they were moved from the cold 'trunk' to the slightly warmer garage. They were left there for about an hour when they were moved the warmer hallway and then eventually to the warm house. Most would probably call me stupid for exposing the equipment to such conditions but to be honest you live by your experiences.

King.
 
I've used a 350D down to -8 degrees c, for a good few hours, the camera was covered in dew initially which soon turned to frost, worked fine never missed a beat, battery life seemed to be down a little on usual, but keep a couple of spares in an inside pocket to keep em nice and warm.

Alan
 
Oh,... I'll add to that, I photographed a wedding on Friday whch was the wettest one for me to date and the D200 was absolutely dripping. It didnt skip a beat or stop to think about anything. That on top of the chill factor is pretty impressive. :)
 
But i am guessing the 400D is no way near as tough as the D200.

Gaelic storm what did you do with the 350d, how did you keep it .
 
I'm happy to say it sounds like my concern is unfounded, after KB's posts I think I would risk it, but it's not me going, I prefer the warm places now.
 
Just take it. If it breaks then so be it, but do you really want to miss the opportunity for photos on a trip you'll probably never do again?
 
good point but imagine if the northen lights do not happen
 
Our video camera did not work at all well in Lapland last December. The picture eventaully dissappeared and we were left with sound only!
 
our video camera more high tech though, thanks for your advice and experience i need as much as i can get.
 
When I went to South Georgia, my standard canon batteries were lasting for approx 100 shots, thats about 1/12th - 1/15th of what they normally do, when they are flat they are flat.

Best thing to do is keep all your fully charged batteries when out shooting as close to your body as possible to keep them warm, they tend to last a little longer.

I got some good advice before i went,

I used the dummy battery which is used when you use the mains adapter, and to this i connected a battery belt of the correct voltage, as used by Camera / video men, due to the size of battery's and the fact its worn around the waist and you can get it close to the body, it would last a full days shooting.
 
thanks, does anyone know of anymore ways or tips about keeping it from condensating and if you take you camera out your jacket take a photo and put it back in will it condensate

thanks

M
 
Ever thought about taking an old EOS Pro film body with you as well so if your DSLR doesn't work you can still get pics with film. Plus the extra dynamic range of film could be quite useful with the Northern Lights.

You can now pick and old EOS 5, EOS 3 or even EOS 1 off ebay quite cheaply and if you want to sell it after you shouldn't loose much and who knows you might even gain.
Just looked and an EOS 5 with 24 minutes left is currently at £34, a date back version with 1hr 30 to go is at £28, one with 3hrs 30minutes to go has 1 bid at £50 and even EOS 3 and EOS 1 appear to be available for under £100 :eek:
 
is that with lenses and can that do auto focus
 
No those are Body only prices. They will work with any EF lenses you own. Unfortunately the EF-S lenses that are digital only (and probably came as a kit with your 400D) won't work with these :(.

If you don't own any EF lenses you could see this as an opportunity to get one ;) - if money is tight you can perhaps find a cheap Sigma (just make sure it is suitable for full frame cameras).
 
Iv taken an 400D and EOS 3v (35mm) snowboarding in the Austrian alps, it's like -16 there just before xmas (sometimes colder), didnt have any problems with either camera.

Going to do it again this year :P
 
8utters can i ask you what you did any special precautions how long was it out in the cold air.

thanks

M
 
I kept it in a bag when not in use, took it out of the back pretty frequently.

Also kept it out of the bag to use for a while when I stopped with my friend to build a jump (must have been an hour or so).
 
hi thanks

can the lcd screen freeze at all and any other precautions about keeping out condensation
 
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