ProfScott

I may have the opportunity for a year in the frozen north (Grand Forks, ND). I have lived in the desert SW for nearly 20 years and have been a Canon person for almost that long. I am thinking of digging deep and switching over to the new Nikon d850 (and new lenses, of course), but was wondering: does anyone have experience with Nikons in extreme conditions (down to -10F), either with the new d850 or Nikons in general? Lots of great stuff written about this new camera, but no one has touched on this topic. This question also applies to the lenses, as well. Will zoom continue to work. Thoughts greatly appreciated.

Keldon Loc: Yukon, B.C.

Minus 10 is not considered "extreme." Any camera is able to operate at much colder temperatures than that. I've used mine at -40 without any issues whatsoever and theyre used in the Antarctica on a regular basis at much lower temps.

ProfScott

Thanks so much. Please believe that for someone that has lived in the desert for 20 years, freezing is "extreme!"

Keldon Loc: Yukon, B.C.

I suppose it is. You're in for a (pleasant?) surprise if you do move. Make the most of it and enjoy it as much as you are able.

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

My youngest son and his wife moved from here in Georgia to Bozeman Montana as it was too "hot" down here...

art pear Loc: North Dakota

Grand Forks. Uff Dah. The best grinder is at Valley Dairy not the Red Pepper. Get extra white sauce! My Nikon gear has worked great in the cold, but I am not out for hours at a time. The biggest problem I think would be the battery. It is listed as operational from 32-104F. I am sure it will work, just not have it's average life. I am out in the cold for work and use Sony gear. I shoot video and the batteries last about 30% of normal when it is 10F above. lastly from nikon's website. Very bottom of spec page for D850. Operating EnvironmentTemperature: 0–40 °C (+32–104 °F)
Humidity: Less than 85% (no condensation) I just got the D850 last week and it is wonderful!

tiphareth51 Loc: Somewhere near North Pole, Alaska

Greetings from Alaska. Be aware that cold temps affect battery life so always bring spares and keep them warm in a pocket, etc. Also be concerned about condensation forming on your camera when you bring it inside after having had it outside. Putting into a plastic bag prior to coming in allows the condensation to form on the bag, not your camera. There are camera parkas sold on-line. Atfrostedlens is an excellent one.

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

Batteries are always the weak point. Carry spares inside your jacket, close to your body...

Bill Munny Loc: Aurora, Colorado

my daughter just came back from the Antarctic and she had her D750 and a new D850 with her. The cold messed with the batteries (which she kept in a plastic zip bag next to her torso in her parka. As long as the batteries performed, the cameras performed well. Keep good filter type covers on the lenses due to blowing snow/ice which messes with the glass and are easy to wipe clean without damage to the lenses. The only thing that seemed to not perform well were her fingers. Have a great journey.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Used my D850 at -26 earlier this winter, performed flawlessly! As has my D800E for many years in the cold.

Wakko12 Loc: New Hampshire

Also be warned: -10F is not cold for Grand Forks. It will hit -30F most years, -10F may be the warmest day during January.

Pixelpixie88 Loc: Northern Minnesota

Ha...I live in the frozen north! Our town is on the Canadian border and is known as "The Icebox of the Nation". You'll have not problem with your camera...just bring a lens cloth in case your lens gets fogged up. And, bring it back to room temperature properly by leaving it in the camera bag until it has warmed up.

jackpinoh Loc: Kettering, OH 45419

Cold is ok, wet is ok, wet and cold is not a good idea.

RichieC Loc: Adirondacks

Batteries suffer in cold, keep them in an inner pocket and slip them in when using.

DO NOT BRING A COLD CAMERA INTO A WARM HOUSE WITHOUT DOING THIS!

Still outside, place camera in a zip lock bag. If you have a desiccant bag or container, it would be worth placing it inside as well, but not necessary. COld air by its nature does not have alot of moisture in it- it is "DRY", so any air trapped in the bag will be dry...

WHen you bring the camera in, moisture will form on the outside of the bag as dew point is reached- think of a cold glass of beer on a humid summer day. This moisture can form on the inside of lenses or camera if you were to open it up.. don;t pull out a cold zoom, as you suck air into it= till everything reaches room temperature. I have a large ziplock bag in my camera bag JUST for this sort of thing.

You could leave it in your camera bag... where it will warm up without air circulating around it. It is the warm moist air against a very cold chunk of metal you need to avoid.

Also know that your warm breath and face against a cold camera can spontaneously form fog...

I have never had an issue, so it isn't a big deal if you sort of let things happen slowly. I keep mine in a waterproof pelican case, and leave it alone for a long while. SHow us your winter pics!

Jaki

I took an older nikonD3s to churchill, Manitoba Canada in nov. to shoot polar bear. Day time temps were -35 and the camera worked great for short times outside. Spent a lot of time in Alaska with this camera and it was good there as well!