Taking my camera to the frozen north

[RosscoPCole]

I'm going with the family to Lapland just before Christmas. Looking at the info from the travel company it appears the temperature could be anywhere between -10 and -40. Would my DSLR survive?

[GlenMH]

Should do but be aware that the battery life may be significantly reduced.

Make sure the camera is properly dry before it goes in the bag to go up there.

[Simpo Two]

RosscoPCole said:

Would my DSLR survive?

It will, but you will be found and defrosted in 2106

[RobDickinson]

Batteries will take a knock, make sure you keep the replacement ones warm close to your body.

Taking a camera and lenses from hot to cold will cause issues, try not to get the gear too warm.

Cold will cause ice and dew on the lens overnight, there are some fixes for this, a handwarmer and velcro around the end of the lens will help.

-40 you are risking the shutter freezing entirely!

[Fubles]

as stated, temperature change rather than outright temperature will be the biggest problem. Condensation is not your friend.

[Elderly]

RobDickinson said:

Batteries will take a knock, make sure you keep the replacement ones warm close to your body.

I don't know if these things are still available but I had a remote battery cord for my Pentax 6x7.
The 'plug' mimics the battery within the camera body whilst the battery itself at the other end of the cable is kept warm close to your body.

[Lakelord]

As above, batteries, (as will your crown jewels or any other extremities) take a bashing by the extremes of temperatures, so make sure you take a good pair of 'inner gloves' i.e. something that will keep the cold from your hands but still let you operate the camera.

[Lakelord]

As above, batteries, (as will your crown jewels or any other extremities) take a bashing by the extremes of temperatures, so make sure you take a good pair of 'inner gloves' i.e. something that will keep the cold from your hands but still let you operate the camera.

[furrywoolyhatuk]

Took my Sony DSLR to Iceland and as mentioned battery life was noticeably effected.

I expect you have it covered but take a pair of good gloves as well, ones that have good thermal retention/wind cill properties but allow enough dexterity.

[RosscoPCole]

Thanks for all the advice. I'm packing about 4 different pairs of gloves and we are given extreme jackets, trousers, boots and gloves. I will always have a thin warm pair at hand (excuse the pun) so I can use my camera with more ease than the Michelin man ones.

[Shaoxter]

You should probably also pack a tripod. Won't there be 24 hours of darkness at that time?

[ian in lancs]

i only had battery life issues (D3 and D3x) when in the Northern tip of Norway last December - about minus 15c. I didn't have condensation issues moving back indoors (mainly on board ship).

[Willy Nilly]

I'm taking my RX100 north of Birmingham at Christmas. Any advice gratefully received.

[stuartmmcfc]

We went for 4 days a few years ago, bought a spare battery,took loads of pictures.
Never used it.
I think it was because we actually spent little time outside, I don't think our children would have tolerated it very well tbh

Edited by stuartmmcfc on Monday 1st December 07:08

[Gad-Westy]

Willy Nilly said:

I'm taking my RX100 north of Birmingham at Christmas. Any advice gratefully received.

Good insurance

[Du1point8]

I have used my camera in minus 25 in Helsinki (before windchill was taken into account) and minus 20 at Tampere, the canon 450d is still working fine and about to get another outing in Northern Lapland for 5 days to see if I can take decent pictures.

Only thing I have not got yet is the remote control which I will be getting shortly.

Have a battery grip to keep everything powered and a good tripod and you will be fine.

Though on the advice from here I bought a wide angle lens to play with.

Below was the first time I was playing with the camera, not bad considering no tripod and hands were freezing up.

Wish this one was clearer, but I had had enough.


3pm next to the sauna.

[mcflurry]

No issues with my 5 year old Knee-con last year