Rockies in winter

[paddyfrog]

I will be heading to the Rockies and Vancouver for 3 weeks over the Xmas period; are there any specific techniques to be used when shooting such vast expanses of snow? I also intend to do some long exposure shots at night of mountain summits and if I am very lucky of an aurora, what precaution do I need to take to stop the camera and lenses from freezing (temperature can be as low as -30C°, will need the long John)?
Advice and tips welcome.
Will post some photos once I am back to the UK unless I turned into mister frosty.

 

[Harvey_nikon]

Not done any myself but from memory you are going to struggle with in camera exposure and maybe white balance.

I think you need to over expose the shots because it treats all the white as middle grey.

Snow on auto mode shows with a blue tint.

 

[Oggy]

You may find that at these temperatures your battery gives up. I am planning a trip to Canada to photograph a Polar Bear. I thought about making up a dummy battery (carved from balsa?) with contacts wired to a battery under my clothes. Make sure you get the wires the right way round though, and a fuse might be a good idea.

 

[surfinrach90]

Come over to the Island and say hi! I've just moved to Vancouver Island

I'll have to look into what Oggy said about the batteries :O Oh dear that's not cool! But making one should be fun!

 

[18%grey]

You may find that at these temperatures your battery gives up. I am planning a trip to Canada to photograph a Polar Bear. I thought about making up a dummy battery (carved from balsa?) with contacts wired to a battery under my clothes. Make sure you get the wires the right way round though, and a fuse might be a good idea.

+1
I like this idea. Also the camera should not be a problem when it's cold so you could keep the battery inside your coat and only bring it out when needed.

edit
Just a thought, you could buy a second AA battery carrier and wire the two together. Then keep the one in your coat that has the batteries in.

 

[paddyfrog]

Come over to the Island and say hi! I've just moved to Vancouver Island

I'll have to look into what Oggy said about the batteries :O Oh dear that's not cool! But making one should be fun!

Fun! me and DIY are mortal ennemies !!!!!!!!
I will be in Vancouver form the 8th or 9th to the 12th then flight home. Any nice sushi restaurant in Vancouver ? What are the must see and photography in Vancouver, I have read a few guides but there always some hidden gem

 

[paddyfrog]

Thanks for your replies, what about the camera and lenses what extra care do i need to take ?