Nikon D700 Froze Up
Feb 9, 2015 10:14:24 #
Saturday morning I was planning on shooting in a local park. I left my Nikon D700 in the car over night. Temperatures dropped into the upper 20's. In the morning I headed to the park (about a 10 minute drive) and here is what happened:
Pressing the shutter release caused the mirror to pop up and lock. It would stay up until a second press brought it down. There was no exposure.
The camera sat in the car for about 2 hrs while I wandered with other photographers. (I was the instructor) and when I returned to the camera all was healed. I had a shoot Sunday and had no problems. I've left my camera in a cold car before and had no problems.
Any thoughts?
Pressing the shutter release caused the mirror to pop up and lock. It would stay up until a second press brought it down. There was no exposure.
The camera sat in the car for about 2 hrs while I wandered with other photographers. (I was the instructor) and when I returned to the camera all was healed. I had a shoot Sunday and had no problems. I've left my camera in a cold car before and had no problems.
Any thoughts?
Feb 9, 2015 10:24:54 #
Sounds normal. Have you ever looked at the operating temperatures of your camera in the specifications.
BTW.. last time I left a bag of camera's in my car, and almost the only time ever, the drivers side window was broken out, and I lost $2000 worth of Medium Format camera gear.
My homeowners did not cover it, because I did not have an endorsement added to the policy for Camera Equipment and Electronics.
I came home from a photo shoot and fully intended to come back down and get the bag. Long day and I was tired, so fell asleep. Never leave my stuff in the car, so what are the odds that this night????
But back to your frozen camera.... should be no surprise.
BTW.. last time I left a bag of camera's in my car, and almost the only time ever, the drivers side window was broken out, and I lost $2000 worth of Medium Format camera gear.
My homeowners did not cover it, because I did not have an endorsement added to the policy for Camera Equipment and Electronics.
I came home from a photo shoot and fully intended to come back down and get the bag. Long day and I was tired, so fell asleep. Never leave my stuff in the car, so what are the odds that this night????
But back to your frozen camera.... should be no surprise.
Feb 9, 2015 10:27:09 #
My thought is maybe you shouldn't do that anymore??? I know cameras are tough, but maybe yours doesn't like the cold as much as you think it does.
Feb 9, 2015 10:33:28 #
JimKing wrote:
Saturday morning I was planning on shooting in a l... (show quote)
Just one thought........don't leave your valuable camera and gear in a cold car over night.
Larry
Feb 9, 2015 12:01:44 #
CNET says D700 minimum operating temperature is 32°F so I guess it was just too cold, thanks everyone. I had never had the problem before and I thought I had done similar temperatures before.
Feb 10, 2015 06:53:01 #
I learned last year do not leave a camera in a cold car. I left my D300 and lens in my bag in my car when the temp was 15F. I took the camera into the house and tried to use it. Instant fog. Could not see a thing. I immediately took the camera and lens back outside in the 15F air and the fog went away. The camera was put back in the bag and then brought in and left closed for 12 hrs. Problem solved. Lesson learned is DO NOT leave a camera in extreme cold or heat if you expect it to keep working.
Feb 10, 2015 08:45:07 #
JimKing wrote:
CNET says D700 minimum operating temperature is 32°F so I guess it was just too cold, thanks everyone. I had never had the problem before and I thought I had done similar temperatures before.
You didn't mention if the batteries were in the camera. Batteries lose their charge in low temps. Just thought.
Feb 10, 2015 10:24:27 #
rjriggins11
Loc: Colorado Springs, CO
What's happening is condensation build-up inside the camera. Changes in temperature will cause some of the contacts and switches inside to malfunction until it dries. The camera should work unless the condensation has built up a layer of film or caused some corrosion. This happens more than you'd believe. If the camera starts acting up, it'll need to be taken apart and cleaned thoroughly.
JimKing wrote:
Saturday morning I was planning on shooting in a l... (show quote)
Feb 10, 2015 11:43:51 #
Yes, the manual may say 32F for the low operating temp. I have used Nikon D300s & D600 for hours outside in 0F weather w/out any trouble! I have read that -40F sometimes the display is slow, but not damaged. Yes, in cold, batteries drain and keep a spare in an inside pocket.
I think the only danger is condensation freezing on mechanical parts. Put the camera in a bag before you go inside, then wait until the camera is at room temperature before doing anything with it.
I have used a Canon Rebel in -40F in 180mph wind (windchill -100F) without any problem. Exited plane at 30,000ft, camera lens had frost when I landed because of the very cold camera in the lower warm air, but no problems.
I think the only danger is condensation freezing on mechanical parts. Put the camera in a bag before you go inside, then wait until the camera is at room temperature before doing anything with it.
I have used a Canon Rebel in -40F in 180mph wind (windchill -100F) without any problem. Exited plane at 30,000ft, camera lens had frost when I landed because of the very cold camera in the lower warm air, but no problems.
Feb 10, 2015 15:16:04 #
Was your card pushed all the way in?--when he changed from 4x5 to roll film Monte Zucker left his 4x5's in his car unlocked for a couple years--no way anyone would steal them.
Stan
Stan
Feb 10, 2015 16:15:32 #
Feb 10, 2015 18:59:21 #
Thanks, for the information. The camera began working soon after I got it back in the car. I am aware of batteries/cold problems but the power seemed fine. All is well currently and again thanks for the time everyone.
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