PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

Weather sealing is used to prevent rain and dirt from entering the camera body. It doesn't prevent condensation on surfaces, so the bag is called for no matter whether or not the camera is weather proofed.

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Puuuure classic UHH there. Huge thanks for promoting our Sacred Traditions !

bikinkawboy Loc: north central Missouri

I’ve taken a lot of winter photos as well as in the rain. Winter photos have included those crystal clear sub zero moonlight nights doing tripod shots of snow landscapes.

In rain I kept the camera under my coat when not shooting to minimize how wet it got, but things still have gotten wet from blowing rain in thunderstorms. That was with unsealed cameras like the Nikon D40 and D5100. Sealed cameras should be no problem whatsoever as long as you use a little common sense.

I’ve never had any ill effects from either extreme. However, after coming in from the cold I leave the lens cap off should condensation occur on the lens. Severe cold isn’t really a problem, the humidity outside in those temperatures is really low as is the inside of a heated house. When I’ve had condensation is those 30 degree days after a big ice storm. Humidity is up outside as well as in the house.

My suggestion is to exercise caution but to not let weather extremes stop you. Those windless, super cold, full moon, snow covered nights do have their appeal. Almost as bright as day, the air crystal clear, dry snow squeezing under your boots and with proper clothing nothing gets cold except maybe your fingers. If you’re out really long, you might keep a spare battery warm inside your coat.

bikinkawboy Loc: north central Missouri

That should have been dry snow squeaking. Darned auto spell!

Bill_de Loc: US

Are you still using the same camera(s)? If so, same precautions make sense.

I have never had an issue, even using a D1x w/Nikkor 500mm lens that got literally caked in ice while working on a beach one winter. Once we got back to our cars we wrapped them in towels and drove to the nearest diner.

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Seabastes

There are a lot of good comments and suggestion on this thread. Particularly using desicants from prescription packages. I never thought of that.

I did several assignments on Alaska's Actic North Slope in the oil fields in the 1970's and always used a plastic bag when taking my cameras inside after shooting in situations as much as 50 below.

Other cold weather suggestions are, keep your extra batteries, and back then film next to your heart in a shirt pocket and rotate batteries if shooting for extended periods of time. Same thing with cameras, keep them inside a jacket except for shooting but be aware that a warm camera taken outside into the cold can resulting in condensation and particularly fogging of the cameras lens.

UHH is a great place for sharing advise and images.

John N Loc: HP14 3QF Stokenchurch, UK

The most recent issue of EOS magazine had a feature on weather sealing. Being EOS magazine it is concerned with Canon models. A chart, detailing all models, rates weather sealing as; none / some / good / very good / excellent.

Excellent and very good seem to be the preserve of top end professional and semi professional models.

My own 6D mkII comes in at Good.

dbrugger25 Loc: Raleigh, NC

I sometimes use astronomy telescopes on cold nights because the air contains less humidity and the seeing is better.

At the end of the session i simply bring them into my house and allow them to dry-off. Telescopes are not weather sealed like some cameras.

Some of my scopes are over 20 years old and there has been absolutely no damage.

I avoid wiping the optics when ther have moisture on them because atmospheric dust can be in the water and acts like a grinding media.

Peteso Loc: Blacks Hills

Yesterday morning, in Custer SD, I had my Sony A7R IV camera on a tripod during sunrise at 25° for almost two hours. By the time I took my gear down, there was ice on my lens hood. Before my shoot, the camera was in my truck all night. I had no problems at all.

HRoss Loc: Longmont, CO

If you are planning to take the camera from a warm place (your house as an examples) into cold weather, it was also my understanding that taking the camera and lens is put them in a cold area well before you plan to use them will acclimate the camera to the cold. it's the sudden change in temperature that causes the condensation. All the other ideas, especially the silica gel packets for moisture, are good ideas.

Bultaco Loc: Aiken, SC

It all depends on where you live. Here in SC the humidity is much higher outside.

photoman43

The answer is Yes, especially if the air in the affected space has more moisture in it (more humidity) than the air in the departing space. Google Dew point to learn more. For large tele lenses, I use dry bags to help control condensation. I live near the Gulf coast where humidity exists all year long.

CamB Loc: Juneau, Alaska

[quote=PHRubin]Weather sealing is used to prevent rain and dirt from entering the camera body. It doesn't prevent condensation on surfaces, so the bag is called for no matter whether or not the camera is weather proofed.[/

CamB Loc: Juneau, Alaska

The cruise ship season in Juneau has just ended. Juneau is a rain forest. My last two tours were done in pouring rain. My camera got soaked (Nikon d7500) for about the twentieth time this summer. By the time I get home the entire body is covered in condensation and the front lens is wet and fogged. I dry it off with towels I keep in the car then wrap it and any other lenses I might have used in the driest towel left, carry it in the house like that and let it sit all night. Every morning it is dry (or almost) and ready to head off onto the rain again. In four years this camera body has suffered no permanent damage. I would handle cold the same way. Maybe wrap all your cold gear in your warm coat and let it warm up over night. You should be fine.
…Cam

Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb

Going out in the cold has not been a problem. But, you should put your equipment in a plastic bag going back inyp a warm place as moisture will form "on" and "in" your equipment as it worms up.