Cold weather advice

[taff63]

With the so called beast from the east blowing in how would you protect your camera from the elements ie extreme cold I have silica gel packs in all pockets of the rucksack but how about when you expose it any tips .

Mark

 

[artyman]

Tha main thing affected will be the battery, they don't perform as well when very cold. Apart from allowing the camera to gradually acclimatise when going back in the warm (leave it in the bag for a while) just use it outside, your fingers will tell you when it's too cold

 

[markmullen]

Your camera will be fine, I've been out in very sub-zero temperatures, to the point where lens hoods were freezing white, and never had a problem. As Ken says your battery life will suffer, carry spares and keep them close to your body till you need them, eg in inside pockets. If you're doing long exposures keep an eye on the front element of your lens for condensation forming.

Again as Ken says you'll get cold before your camera does, a good pair of gloves is a well worthwhile addition, I use Sealskinz Ultragrips and some neoprene fishing gloves with foldback thumb and finger and they keep me out year round.

 

[Tringa]

Agree with the above. Cameras are pretty tough and will cope with low temperatures, well most of the low temperature that are common during a British winter.

If it is below zero and clear the air is likely to be fairly dry so moisture on the lens or camera body should not be a problem (though Mark's comment about long exposure will need watching) until you come back inside, but letting the camera come back to room temperature will evaporate any condensation.

Dave

 

[dianaeftaiha]

these are a few lines from an article i wrote in the past on this subject. hope this answers you question:

A rapid change of location on a photo shoot from extra warm to extra cold environments or vice versa can cause condensation to build up on your camera lens, and sometimes the camera’s internal parts, causing them to fog up. Condensation forms on surfaces that are significantly warmer or colder than the air temperature surrounding them.

Condensation can be controlled by gradually introducing your camera and gear to extremely different conditions. When changing location, seal your body and lenses along with a desiccant canister in an airtight plastic bag and let the equipment cool or warm gradually while inside the bag. This way moisture will build up on the plastic bag rather than on your gear.

Desiccant canisters are small, rigid, cylindrical containers filled with desiccants like silica gel, aimed at absorbing moisture. Please note that desiccants reach their maximum absorption capabilities with time, so make sure to replace them regularly.