Cold weather concerns? I am concerned about taking my camera out in cold weather and by cold I'm talking about below 30 degrees. I guess taking it out isn't a concern but bringing it...

Pepper Loc: Planet Earth Country USA

I am concerned about taking my camera out in cold weather and by cold I'm talking about below 30 degrees. I guess taking it out isn't a concern but bringing it back in to the warm house. Should I be worried about condensation? If so how do I combat the issue?

snowbear

Put it in a plastic bag (or two). There's an earlier thread on this; I don't recall the title, but you can search for it.

Adirondack Hiker Loc: Southern Adirondacks

Around here, below 30 degrees is warm, now 30 below is another story. I routinely go out when the temp is around zero. A little planning goes a long way. First, put a spare battery or two in a pants pocket, so they stay warm. Cold drains a battery in no time. Second, I avoid changing lenses once i am out, so I plan ahead on which one is the best. last thing you want is snow blowing into the open camera, or breathing into the camera. When you get home, leave the camera in its pack, so it warms showly for several hours before downloading. Finally about yourself. Dress in layers, no cotton. Winter hikers have a simple saying, "Cotton Kills". Wool, poly and fleece. Bring water, as you dehydrate faster in the winter than the summer. Enjoy, cold weather shooting opens up whole new oppoturities.

nyweb2001

Adirondack Hiker wrote:

Around here, below 30 degrees is warm, now 30 belo... (show quote)

Can't add to all this ! It's 15 degrees right now in Upstate NY ! If I was to go out right now, the best advice is to NOT change lenses outside ! I've done it and you can see when you pull the lens off that the inside of the camera DOES hold heat ! Also, if I'm just going out with the camera, no bag, I'll just let the camera sit for 1/2 hour or so before removing card to download !

Mike75 Loc: Millinocket,Me.

Pepper wrote:

I am concerned about taking my camera out in cold weather and by cold I'm talking about below 30 degrees. I guess taking it out isn't a concern but bringing it back in to the warm house. Should I be worried about condensation? If so how do I combat the issue?

Hi Pepper I am from Maine it is 7 degrees Iam getting ready two take my Husky for a walk and I take my camera eith me under my jacket Itake a picture and put it back under my jacket when I get home my camera is still warm and I can down load my pictures.

iresq Loc: Annapolis MD

As previously written, its a good idea to have a large zip lock type bad. A cold camera brought into a warm environment can cause condensation to form. To a lessor extent, you can get this going from warm to cold. Not sure if your old enough to remember and lived in a climate were single poison windows would condense on the inside.

Emmett Loc: Onalaska, Texas

Pepper, you have a wonderful source right there for camera advice. Go down to Linn Photo and talk to Mary or Mark. They can steer you in the right direction. Sorry guys, I'm not trying to take anything away from your expert advice, it's just that, sometimes in person, it's easier for a newbie to understand. Merry Christmas!

steve Loc: Iowa

Get the card out of the camera asap?

Pepper Loc: Planet Earth Country USA

Emmett wrote:

Pepper, you have a wonderful source right there for camera advice. Go down to Linn Photo and talk to Mary or Mark. They can steer you in the right direction. Sorry guys, I'm not trying to take anything away from your expert advice, it's just that, sometimes in person, it's easier for a newbie to understand. Merry Christmas!

Thank you and Merry Christmas to you! Back in the day when I lived in Marion I used to spend a lot of time in Linn Photo but now I seldom get to Marion. I'll stop in and say hey.

photojax Loc: West Michigan

I am from Michigan and like to shoot in the cold weather. I also use some pretty expensive equipment. You MAY get away with going in and out with your equipment in cold weather but I would not chance it! I use a insulated shopping bag with a zipper (7 dollars at Sams Club). It is big enough to hold the camera and lenses that I am going to use. I keep a packet of silica gel in the bag. Stick your equipment in the bag before you come in from the cold. Let it warm up for an hour or so before you take it out. The silica gel will absorb any condensation that could form. You can purchase the silica gel at any camera store if you do not have one that came in another package that you have purchased.

Pepper Loc: Planet Earth Country USA

Thanks for the input folks, you're all very kind and helpful to us poor newbies.

rickyd Loc: Dothan, Al

wonderful thread, but thank God I do not have to worry much about it here in south Alabama, laughs, just be careful all that do, keep shooting!

Adirondack Hiker Loc: Southern Adirondacks

rickyd wrote:

wonderful thread, but thank God I do not have to worry much about it here in south Alabama, laughs, just be careful all that do, keep shooting!

Prefer to face a sub zero morning than those funny critters you can run across down there.

Camerahand Loc: Huntsville, Tennessee

iresq wrote:

As previously written, its a good idea to have a large zip lock type bad. A cold camera brought into a warm environment can cause condensation to form. To a lessor extent, you can get this going from warm to cold. Not sure if your old enough to remember and lived in a climate were single poison windows would condense on the inside.

What is a "single poison" window :?: 8-)

Emmett Loc: Onalaska, Texas

I have not tried this, I don't have extreme cold to deal with but I have heard that using one of those chemical hand warmers under your camera when shooting is a big help. Keeps the battery warm. I heard this back in the film days.
It might help. Meyyr Christmas.