Discussion
The 20d is only rated to 0 degrees in the book, but I can't see this being true, more one of the things they say top stop people getting upset when it doesn't work.
What I can't find is any cold use experience specifically for my camera. Google hits suggest the batteries and LCD will be the first to surrender and use of one of the rechargeable hand warmers in the camera bag may retain some heat. Charging and battery life isn't my main worry though as I can keep/charge them in the cabin a good few times a day. I just dont want the camera to say no at the first sign of the northern lights (it was only -37 degrees last year!)
What I can't find is any cold use experience specifically for my camera. Google hits suggest the batteries and LCD will be the first to surrender and use of one of the rechargeable hand warmers in the camera bag may retain some heat. Charging and battery life isn't my main worry though as I can keep/charge them in the cabin a good few times a day. I just dont want the camera to say no at the first sign of the northern lights (it was only -37 degrees last year!)
Haven't had the 20D long enough for winter use yet, but i used the 300D at well below Zero with wind chill at a track day at Anglesey a couple of years ago. It ws fine.
Take plenty of spare batteries, you will need them, and don't move the camera straight from the cold air to warm otherwise you're asking for condensation problems.
>> Edited by monkeyhanger on Friday 4th November 14:25
Take plenty of spare batteries, you will need them, and don't move the camera straight from the cold air to warm otherwise you're asking for condensation problems.
>> Edited by monkeyhanger on Friday 4th November 14:25
Phil S said:
Simpo, apparently film has problems breaking, snapping and cracking etc at these temps? So Google tells me anyway! If not cthen please correct me and I will take the Chinon SLR, although the light meter might suffer the same fate!
Well, I'm currently reading the story of the British Transantactic Expedition 1955-8, which hit temps of -40F (F for Fairly cold) and if they had any difficulties with cameras or film, they didn't say so. Maybe you could e-mail Polar Ben - he uses a Minolta compact digital IIRC. But I think the battery thing is unavoidable, since they work on chemical reactions which school chemistry days tell me halve in speed for each 10C drop in temp.
How about testing it in your deep freeze first?
I used a canon eos 3 in -40 and my fingers froze!
I did get a small spot of condensation mist in the middle of the front aspheric glas lens. I went away again at about -10 but kept returning.
The camera itself functioned fine, but the battery power fell off much quicker.
I am sure a Nikon would be fine.
Greg
I did get a small spot of condensation mist in the middle of the front aspheric glas lens. I went away again at about -10 but kept returning.
The camera itself functioned fine, but the battery power fell off much quicker.
I am sure a Nikon would be fine.
Greg
Phil S said:
Simpo, apparently film has problems breaking, snapping and cracking etc at these temps? So Google tells me anyway! If not cthen please correct me and I will take the Chinon SLR, although the light meter might suffer the same fate!
That sounds familiar. Likewise the Russian pencil except they could not stop it breaking and leaving bits of itself floating around the capsule apparently.
I would think you are pushing things at temperatures that low without using some special gear. There must be a resource with info on the web somewhere!
At the Pole I wasn't outside for more than an hour or two at a time and kept the camera under my coat mostly, in an "ever ready" case (whatever happened to those ?). Film was in an inside pocket.
I never really had problems with misting on the optics, though I kept a skylight filter on in case I needed to clear it with anything abrasive. The battery seemed happy enough, but it doesn't do nearly as much work in an A1 as in a DSLR. I took a spare which I didn't need.
If you're going to be changing lenses you will need to be very careful of windborne snow getting into the body - and on to the sensor if you're going digital. I just took a 50mm prime.
I never really had problems with misting on the optics, though I kept a skylight filter on in case I needed to clear it with anything abrasive. The battery seemed happy enough, but it doesn't do nearly as much work in an A1 as in a DSLR. I took a spare which I didn't need.
If you're going to be changing lenses you will need to be very careful of windborne snow getting into the body - and on to the sensor if you're going digital. I just took a 50mm prime.
Thanks for the advice, I guess I will just try it and see, but from all the reading and other people experiences on here I am fairly confident it will sort of work in one way or another, even if it is just for a few minutes.
I am actually going to Northern Lapland and the temperatures seem to range between 0 and -40 in late December/early Jan, but the average temperature is -14 and the Northern Lights will be in the middle of the night if they appear (not that you get much day!) but at a guess it will be below -20 at this point. One reporter reviewing the holiday last winter said it was -37!
As for the photographical part... You are starting to worry me now! I think i'll stick it on auto mode (joke!) (Although filter tips will be appreciated, but bear in mind there is only a couple of hours daylight!)
At the end of the day if it doesn't work then I will just have to spend more time on my arse learning this boarding lark (why I chose that when I am already an advanced skiier is beyond me!)
I am actually going to Northern Lapland and the temperatures seem to range between 0 and -40 in late December/early Jan, but the average temperature is -14 and the Northern Lights will be in the middle of the night if they appear (not that you get much day!) but at a guess it will be below -20 at this point. One reporter reviewing the holiday last winter said it was -37!
As for the photographical part... You are starting to worry me now! I think i'll stick it on auto mode
(joke!) (Although filter tips will be appreciated, but bear in mind there is only a couple of hours daylight!) At the end of the day if it doesn't work then I will just have to spend more time on my arse learning this boarding lark (why I chose that when I am already an advanced skiier is beyond me!)
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