Arctic circle photography

[HelsR]

Hi all

I am in the very fortunate position of going to the Ice Hotel in Sweden thanks to a kind friend who has won a competition!

However, I have heard that taking photographs in sub zero temperatures brings with it special challenges, and that my Nikon D50 battery won't last more than an hour in the cold.

Does anyone have any experience of such situations please? I'd be so grateful as I want to get the most out of my trip, even though it's only 3 nights long.

I'm not going till Feb 28th, so any comments/suggestions would be most gratefully appreciated.

Thanks everyone

Helen

 

[George]

Hi, Helen,
In really cold temps, you're battery won't last as long, but 1 hr seems a bit over the top. I would suggest taking a couple of spare batteries, (being a Canon man I don't know if the likes of 7dayshop do a D50 battery but I'm sure someone will help) and charging up at every opportunity. I was in the Antarctic last year, although it wasn't that cold, around freezing, and I didn't have any probs, but keep the spares in a warm pocket, not in a rucksac, and I'm sure you'll be fine. I think it will be a great holiday, it's a place my wife and I are considering, let us know how you get on!!

George

 

[chivers67]

I hope you get to see the Aurora Borealis

 

[StewartR]

Buy some spare batteries, and keep them deep inside your clothing when you're outside.

Get a sealable plastc bag big enough for your camera and lens. Before you come into the warm, put the equipment in the bag, squeeze the air out and seal it. That way, a the gear warms up, the condensation will form on the outside of the bag.

Take a tripod and a wide lens for photographing the aurora.

 

[Nod]

^^^^

What Stewart says. Take some Silica Gel sachets with you and put a couple in the sealed plastic bag with the cold camera.

7day do (or did) spare own brand EN-EL3 compatible batteries for the D50 - if they don't still do them, EN-EL3e (as fitted to the D300 and 700 will fit and work). If you keep the spares warm in a pocket close to your body you should be able to keep shooting by swapping apparently exhausted (cold) ones for the warmest one you have in your pocket. It can help to number them and use them in rotation so you get the maximum out of them all.