RonDavis Loc: Chicago, IL

This is probably a well-known phenomenon and a well discussed topic, but it’s interesting to me since I just observed it firsthand. I went on a photo shoot on a very cold day in Chicago…..shooting from a breezy high-rise roof top which made it even colder. I started with a fully charged battery in my Fuji X-T2. As I shot multiple exposures, I notice the battery (charge) indicator declined rapidly and went red, indicating complete exhaustion. (At first, I couldn’t believe what was happening because the decline was so fast). I switched to a (warm) battery from my pocket and put it in my (now) colder camera. After a few minutes and a few exposures, the same thing started to happen. I ended the session with about half the shots I usually get from the batteries….(and my freezing hands). So, my observation and conclusion…battery life declines rapidly, as much as 50% in very cold weather. The exposures appeared mostly normal since I stopped shooting before the battery indicator went red. And yes, these are rather new, Mfg labeled batteries. My new practice for cold weather shooting---carry multiple batteries in warm pockets and expect to change them😊 Any quick thoughts would be appreciated…thanks

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Chemical reactions (which are occurring in batteries), are driven by temperature. Here’s a chart on a typical Li ion battery efficiency vs various temperatures.

RonDavis Loc: Chicago, IL

Thanks TriX.....for the technical explanation of my unscientific and cold experience

steve49 Loc: massachusetts

What was the actual temp where you worked?
The graph shows at single digits temps you would have about 50% power.

Cameras using li-on batteries generally list their operating temps as 32- 1** degrees f.
This is only battery related I guess?

Orphoto Loc: Oregon

👍

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

I do not know why Nikon does not do this anymore but for my Nikon F3HP, Nikon made a 4 foot battery cable. With this cable I could load my AA batteries into a compartment and put it inside my coat close to my body which kept the batteries warm, the cable then ran up my arm and attached to the camera.
Problem solved. I wish all companies made them, it was an inexpensive unit and I used it all the time on our boy scouts winter outings.

mikegreenwald Loc: Illinois

Wind affects our bodies, but wind chill is a non-issue for batteries. Remote batteries inside our presumably warm cloths work well, but require a little personal intervention to create the remote battery box, cord, and camera component for most brands.
A small insulated case and hand warmer can be very helpful as well. I have a manufacturer remote set for Nikon, but having switched to Canon years ago, it doesn’t help much now. If the voltages are right, I suppose one could use the “wrong” brand battery case and cord along with a cobbled together camera component, but it’s easier to just carry extra batteries.

anotherview Loc: California

Cold shortens battery use. You could remove the battery from the camera during shooting lulls and store it in a warm place.

rwm283main Loc: Terryville, CT

The Fujifilm X-T2 is a battery hog overall, even when the temps are warm compared to a lot of other cameras. I have the X-T2 and have noticed the same decline of battery charge these past few days in Connecticut with temps in the mid 20s. I just ordered a used vertical power booster grip from mpb. The price was right compared to new.
Question: I keep a couple of charged batteries in my camera bag as backups. I'm assuming they will be affected by the cold weather just sitting in the bag. How does this affect the discharging/charging life span of the battery? If the back up batteries in my camera bag weren't used during the day of shooting do I need to put them in the charger to 'top them off?'

Bill 45

That why I use in cold weather I use cameras that don't need batteries to work.

bweber Loc: Newton, MA

I have shot my Canons while dog sledding at temps around -20. Battery life degrades, but you can restore the battery by simply warming it up. I always use at least two batteries. I keep one next to my body in an inside pocket and one in the camera. When the one in the camera stops working I exchange them and keep shooting. The cold one warms up and I can use without plugging it in and recharging it. Some times I will keep two in my pocket. I have never had a problem.

Country Boy Loc: Beckley, WV

3 Curious questions. 1. Would one of the camera skins (form fitting rubber camera covers) help keep the camera internal? 2. If you use a remote battery box, does the wire need to be kept warm or is there power loss due to cold wire carrying power to the camera? 3. Does the battery loss in cell phones reduce at the same rate?

Bill 45

What you are saying about batteries that what I do with my "winter" cameras.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

1) maybe some, since the camera generates heat and insulation should help keep it in, but how much is an unknown.
2) no, the wire doesn’t need to be kept warm.
3) yes, if they are constantly outside (rather than in your pocket or under your clothing)

John_F Loc: Minneapolis, MN

And these chemical reactions at the electrodes plus the diffusion inside the battery between the poles are all subject to the laws of thermodynamics.