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How to keep the camera warm taking Northern Lights photos in Fairbanks Alaska 12/3/2021
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Oct 14, 2021 17:11:34   #
Hamltnblue Loc: Springfield PA
 
A Lens heater will help
I’ve also banded chemical hand warmers in a pinch.
Something often overlooked are spare batteries. In temps under freezing they can lose charge.
It’s best to keep them in a coat pocket

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Oct 14, 2021 17:34:11   #
robertjerl Loc: Corona, California
 
Linda S. wrote:
robertjerl, thank you very much for the link! I did use Google but I went down the path of the Olympus and freezing weather! This is a great page. Thank you again! Linda


You are...

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Oct 14, 2021 17:34:33   #
robertjerl Loc: Corona, California
 
Linda S. wrote:
This is a terrific page!! Who knew your breath could freeze on your lens glass! I have a clip on my camera strap for the cap! Thank you yet again! Linda


...very welcome.

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Oct 15, 2021 07:22:13   #
tcthome Loc: NJ
 
I wouldnt keep the camera warm. Taking it in & out of different temps & humidity is what causes condensation. Just keep your batteries warm. They do sell lens warmers if that is needed to keep frost or condensation off your lens. Are you going with a tour group or someone who is from up there? If so, ask them how it is normally delt with.

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Oct 15, 2021 10:31:36   #
hpucker99 Loc: Anchorage, Alaska
 
Linda S. wrote:
Hello All,

You were very helpful when I went to Iceland 2/2019 to photograph the Northern Lights (NL). They did not appear. I have a new question.

This December, I am going on another NL trip to a place 20-30 miles north of Fairbanks Alaska. It is typically colder there.

I am taking my Canon 5DM4 and the Olympus OMD E1M3. The manual for the Olympus said that it is freeze-proofed to 14 degrees F (-10 degrees C). Alaska temperatures can be much lower - below freezing. The good news is that wind chill doesn't affect the camera. We will be outside at night.

Given the camera is on a tripod taking multiple long exposures at night, how do I keep the camera warm? I read not to put it in your coat for the warmth will cause humid conditions. I don't the "raincoat" I have for it will keep it warm, just not wet if it is raining. The only idea I have is to wrap a child's wool scarf around it...

How do I keep it warm? Last, do I need to worry about the lenses staying warm as well?

Many thanks in advance. Linda
Hello All, br br You were very helpful when I we... (show quote)


There are at least 6 considerations for using cameras in cold temperatures:

1)
The temperatures you are shooting in will be below the camera manufacturers recommended temperature range but that is not a problem. They will work below that temperature until the lubricants in the camera become viscous. Cameras used in Antarctica need to have the lubricants replaced with ones that work at those extreme temperatures, the lubricants in your cameras will work.

2)
Don't try to keep the camera warm, it is a losing battle. What you want to keep warm is your spare batteries; battery capacity drops quickly in low temperatures. An USB external battery with a dummy coupler will last longer than an internal battery but avoid the lithium polymer types; they stop when the temperature goes below freezing.

3)
Consider the use of a dew heater or strap hand/feet warmers packets to to the lens barrel. Either tie the packets to the lens with a rubber band or tape or use an old sock pulled over the lens. Since you won't be in the cold for an extended period of time, the hand warmers would last long enough and can easily be replaced during the shoot.

4)
When done shooting, you can take the camera cards and batteries out of your camera and put them under your clothing. Your camera should not be brought inside without putting it into a ziplock or sealable bag before warming. The cold camera and lens will quickly be coated with frost, some will form inside the camera and could affect the electronics when the frost melts. I haven't found a documented example of this happening, but this seems to be a consensus opinion. One UHHer, MTshooter, leaves his gear in the car overnight, just brings the batteries and cards in at night.

5)
Consider a plastic rainsleeve to keep any light snow off the camera and use the lens hood. The hood seems to keep the front glass cleaner.

6)
Your camera will survive the cold better than you, dress carefully.

I was in Fairbanks at the Chena Hot Springs in March 2020. I have a E-M1ii and tried live compositing but had difficulties with the buttons and my hands. I ended up setting up a timelapse and got enough shots for a 10 second clip but found the Olympus batteries to degrade quicker in the cold. My Nikon D7500 did better; I had an external battery for it and the camera worked longer.

I'm going to be back in Anchorage next month and might go north to photograph the northern lights better. They are visible from there, but the light pollution will dim them. University of Alaska Fairbanks has the Geophysical Institute that does aurora forecasting as does NOAA. You only need a KP index of 3 to see them in Fairbanks. The Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce adverises that you can see the auroras in Fairbanks about 240 days of the year.

Good luck and clear skies!!!

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Oct 15, 2021 11:05:55   #
MDI Mainer
 
This ad popped up while I was reading this thread. While I don't have this heater band, I do have and can heartily recommend other MSM astrophotography products.

https://www.moveshootmove.com/products/dew-heater?variant=37520218783922&currency=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIuv7IwNfM8wIV5hUGAB21-QKSEAEYASACEgLsAPD_BwE

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Oct 15, 2021 11:12:14   #
ORpilot Loc: Prineville, Or
 
Lots of good suggestions. Dummy battery works great. There are other options. Have several batteries Keep them in your pants pocket. Or take a small cooler and put those cheep hand warmer packs in there.They are only a few $ at sporting goods stores. It is not likely that your lens and camera will freeze up but the batteries will poop out sooner than normal. You can also use a extended grip attachment that has extra batteries in it. Back in the old film days you had to be concerned about the cold making the film brittle and it braking in the camera when you advanced it. There was also the problem of static electricity "lightening" strikes as the film moved across the felt on the film canisters. older film cameras and lenses had the be winterized. The oil based lubes and the turned hard in the cold. Modern cameras and lenses us synthetics. I doubt that you will be outside too long at -40 or even "0". Happy shooting. Don't forget your Hot Chocolate

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Oct 15, 2021 11:25:16   #
kelso007 Loc: Circle Pines Minnesota
 
I went to Alaska a couple of years ago to photo the northern lights. Probably not far from where you are going, Chena Hot Springs. Anyway, the temp was -22 and no wind. The camera was outside and on a tripod. Between shots I draped a wool scarf over the camera but I don't think it was very effective. I did keep extra batteries in my parka and rotated them frequently. I had no issues during the 3 hours of shooting. I think my feet got colder than the camera. Good luck.
Dave K

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Oct 15, 2021 11:33:37   #
Hsch39 Loc: Northbrook, Illinois
 
Will you be staying at the Cleary Summit Lodge or the Cabins? We were there in March 2015 for four days. The temperature was about 10-15ºF, and I had no problems with the camera, (Canon 5D II). Since the Aurora disappears several times during the night, you will have time to change the battery and also warm up. Bringing your camera from the cold to a warm room temperature will produce condensation on the camera and lens, and it takes a long time to clear up. I just left the camera and tripod outside.

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Oct 15, 2021 12:01:51   #
Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak
 
Depending on how cold it is outside, I think it’s a good idea to ease the camera into the cold from the warmth of a room, car, or under ones jacket. Give it a moment to cool off and for any fog on the lens to evaporate. Once out in the cold, the camera should do just fine. Do have some spare batteries and keep them warm and swap them out periodically if you’re going to be out in the cold for an extended period of time. Based on where you say you will be going, I suspect you will be at Chena Hot Springs which is a favorite place to watch and photograph the auroras, and it does get cold there. They like to take you out and away from the facility to get away from light pollution. And while you’re there, you might enjoy the ice bar. It’s unique. But don’t worry about the camera functioning in the cold.

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Oct 15, 2021 12:05:47   #
reverendray
 
Hand warmers in extra large socks

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Oct 15, 2021 12:43:08   #
bwana Loc: Bergen, Alberta, Canada
 
Linda S. wrote:
Hello All,

You were very helpful when I went to Iceland 2/2019 to photograph the Northern Lights (NL). They did not appear. I have a new question.

This December, I am going on another NL trip to a place 20-30 miles north of Fairbanks Alaska. It is typically colder there.

I am taking my Canon 5DM4 and the Olympus OMD E1M3. The manual for the Olympus said that it is freeze-proofed to 14 degrees F (-10 degrees C). Alaska temperatures can be much lower - below freezing. The good news is that wind chill doesn't affect the camera. We will be outside at night.

Given the camera is on a tripod taking multiple long exposures at night, how do I keep the camera warm? I read not to put it in your coat for the warmth will cause humid conditions. I don't the "raincoat" I have for it will keep it warm, just not wet if it is raining. The only idea I have is to wrap a child's wool scarf around it...

How do I keep it warm? Last, do I need to worry about the lenses staying warm as well?

Many thanks in advance. Linda
Hello All, br br You were very helpful when I we... (show quote)

Been there, done that... And I've never had a problem with a cold camera; however, cold batteries don't last as long as warm ones. You might have to swap out a cold battery or two for warm ones over a very cold night.

Another thing to watch out for is frost on the lens. A handheld hair dryer is a handy solution to this problem BUT watch you don't burn the lens coating.

Enjoy!

bwa

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Oct 15, 2021 13:01:28   #
Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak
 
bwana wrote:
Been there, done that... And I've never had a problem with a cold camera; however, cold batteries don't last as long as warm ones. You might have to swap out a cold battery or two for warm ones over a very cold night.

Another thing to watch out for is frost on the lens. A handheld hair dryer is a handy solution to this problem BUT watch you don't burn the lens coating.

Enjoy!

bwa


Gonna have to be a battery powered hair dryer!

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Oct 15, 2021 13:15:17   #
bwana Loc: Bergen, Alberta, Canada
 
Wingpilot wrote:
Gonna have to be a battery powered hair dryer!

Yup, they do exist and are really handy for astrophotography.

bwa

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Oct 15, 2021 13:34:37   #
19104 Loc: Philadelphia
 
Examine remote battery packs for your body. It's basically a battery housing with a long cord. You place the housing inside your clothing and use the chord to your camera
. Hth
John

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