donnahde Loc: Newark, DE

Hi all,

I shoot sports photography for school yearbooks AND I'm an avid nature/bird photographer and I've noticed that my camera (D5100) loses some functionality (esp continuous shutter capability) when it's very cold out or semi cold for several hours at a time. Any ideas on how to keep it warm that doesn't interfere with function? I've even tried a wool sock with one end cut off.

georgevedwards Loc: Essex, Maryland.

I have had trouble in cold for years because I like snow and ice scenes, and have determined the culprit is mainly the battery. I was with a group of photographers and one mentioned the lithium ion batteries have a weakness in cold weather. Removing the battery and holding it in you hand in your pocket warms it up. Sure enough, it was like 20 degrees in a stiff wind and my D5200 stopped functioning. Thinking it was the camera itself, I none the less decided to give his suggestion a try and lo and behold it worked...for a short while and then conked out again. I repeated the procedure over and over till my fingers conked out with numbness. I read an article suggesting a umbilical cord attached to the battery so you could keep it warm in your pocket, but questions to Nikon indicate such a device doesn't exist. Nor did any Google searches turn up anything. For now my solution is having three batteries, hopefully two of them will be warming up in my pocket while shooting. But that means the hand warmth method is not utilized. Next solution is to have a battery heated sleeve to hold the spares while shooting. Now if I could just find one somewhere, I am sure something like that exists although it may not be specifically for batteries. PS. Upon rereading your question, I have to admit I don't use the continuous shoot function, which may be a separate issue in cold, but I would be willing to bet that a weak battery could slow it down also. I am sure it doesn't help, either.

jsharp Loc: Ballwin MO.

Try a battery power sock to keep the batteries warm I use them when deer hunting.

georgevedwards Loc: Essex, Maryland.

What is a battery power sock? Never heard of one. Ok I googled. Is this what you are talking about?:
http://www.fleetfarm.com/detail/Nordic-Gear-Lectra-Battery-Heated-Socks---Hiker-Boot-Style/0000000207115?utm_source=googleps&utm_medium=shopping%2Bsearch&utm_campaign=google%2Bproduct%20search&gslfah&gclid=Cj0KEQiA7tCjBRDulMny5rfM0dkBEiQA7fcshfCbE6wYIsGsLGjGE57GUWnEtyDP1CbWWXhEUiL73owaAgVZ8P8HAQ
I could use one for my toes too, last winter I was shooting the frozen Chesapeake Bay and thought my toes would fall off. Had to quit when the pain got intense.

donnahde Loc: Newark, DE

Thanks, good answer. I do carry extra batteries in my pockets and I think a battery operated sock or glove could be very helpful, too. as someone else suggested. My camera has never completed conked out so I never put the other batteries in but will now. It just gets sluggish which is can't afford when shooting sports assignments. Thanks again.

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

This subject came up a few days ago, and a solution was offered that may be practical for you.

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-261711-1.html

donnahde Loc: Newark, DE

Thanks but it still looks like the solution is carrying extra batteries with me and keeping them where's it's warm, whether in pockets or heated hand warmers. I was wondering about some kind of camera jacket because the camera and lens itself gets ice cold. But if it's only the batteries that matter then problem solved. (-:

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

I myself would not care to have my camera tethered to an external battery. ThermaCare HeatWraps will keep batteries warm in a pouch or pocket for over 8 hours. :)

georgevedwards Loc: Essex, Maryland.

The item mentioned needs an AC power adaptor to attach to. I mentioned the EP-5A would work, I could just plug it into the AC outlet in my pocket. Should be easy to wire up one those...lol.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Extreme temperature changes as well as cold does create challenges. The last thing you want is to take the camera from a warm car to an outside temp of 5 deg then back into a warm humid environment. Condensation on optics, thermal expansion/contraction can affect things.

Batteries are another story - in extreme cold its best to have spares and keep them in an inside pocket. You may be changing them twice as often or more. A sock or insulation on a camera does nothing to make it warm. If you are out in the cold for 30 mins or more, the camera's temp will be close to the outside temp. I've shot ski racing events, where I have been out on a course for 3-4 hours at a time, and was able to get by with one battery in camera and a spare which never got used (the majority of the time).

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

The item mentioned, the EP-5A Power Connector, accepts the EH-5b AC Adapter, which converts 110 volt AC current to 9 volt 4500 ma DC current. I use this with my Nikon Df on a microscope and when copying slides. The suggestion was to replace the EH-5b with an appropriate battery (9 volt 4500 ma DC current) wired to the EP-5A and keep the battery in a warm pocket. To achieve the proper 9 volt current, it may be necessary to make up a battery pack.
Anyway, I thought it sounded like a viable option for some. Since I generally use a tripod, the wire would limit my movements too much, but it may not be too inconvenient if handholding the camera.

Erv Loc: Medina Ohio

Hi Donna. You might want to look into getting a battery grip. That will get you 2 batteries to run down.:):) I use one on all my cameras and never had a problem. The grip battery is very easy to change.
Erv

Judy1900 Loc: Brasstown, NC

Try Hot Hands hand warmers. You activate them by squeezing the packet; put it and your battery wrapped together in a pocket. Plan to try that this winter. They are small, lightweight and cheap.

Dan Copeland Loc: Hamilton Ontario Canada

I know it is not your camera model but they may carry one for it.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lanparte-Battery-6600mAh-EL-15P-DC-Battery-For-DSLR-Nikon-D6000-D7000-D800E-V1-/271553152622?pt=US_Camera_Battery_Grips&hash=item3f39d4466e

donnahde Loc: Newark, DE

Thanks, everyone, for all your great suggestions! I appreciate it.

Happy Thanksgiving!!