In and out of the cold
Nov 7, 2012 08:18:55 #
Going on "Winter Photo Freight Specials" 1/12 and 1/13/13 on the Western Maryland Scenic RR which runs from Cumberland, MD to Frostburg, MD - a distance of 16 miles one way. On each day, to quote, "Both trips will feature at least 20 photo runbys." Leave 7:30AM, back 4:45PM which means there is going to be a heck of a lot of in and out of the warm car into the cold weather.
Read most of the threads about cameras and cold however found none dealing with these circumstances - mainly, my words - what to do when you go out for the day and what to do when you come in for the day - saw nothing dealing with the constant in and out.
I've done the leave and return for the day without doing anything special and have had no difficulties - but nothing like this. Any suggestions/tips/thoughts? Average tempreture is in the range of 20-40 degrees farenheight
I'll be using the D800 and Nikon's 28-300 for both still and movies
Read most of the threads about cameras and cold however found none dealing with these circumstances - mainly, my words - what to do when you go out for the day and what to do when you come in for the day - saw nothing dealing with the constant in and out.
I've done the leave and return for the day without doing anything special and have had no difficulties - but nothing like this. Any suggestions/tips/thoughts? Average tempreture is in the range of 20-40 degrees farenheight
I'll be using the D800 and Nikon's 28-300 for both still and movies
Nov 7, 2012 09:47:52 #
Put the camera in the trunk, not in the passenger compartment, this will avoid the issue completely. Keep a spare EN-EL 15 battery in your pocket just in case.
Nov 7, 2012 11:29:10 #
Condensation will likely be a problem.
Cleaning (drying) the lens with a microfiber cloth may be needed, but use a filter (UV or clear) on your lenses.
I have also used some of that anti-fog stuff sold to help keep your eye glasses from fogging when coming indoors to some effect.
But ONLY APPLY it on your filter, NEVER to the lens! It does help when the RH and temperatures differeneces are significant. I like it.
I have found that if I seal my camera in a sealable insulated plastic bag (I have several commerical "zip-lock" bags that are water proof) I have avoided the condensation problem almost entirely. (An insulated picnic bag with a plastic liner works well.)
I begin by putting the camera in the bag when outside in the cold. Whenever I go indoors the camera is already sealed in the bag. The bag helps keep the camera cool while preventing suddent changes in RH. It is not perfect, but it works most of the time. (On a rainy day with outside RG approachiong 90+ %, it becomes more difficult. Anti-fog stuff on the filter helps in these circumstances).
Keeping your camera in the cold to avoiding the temperature swings is good if possible. But I'd still use an insulated bag with a vapor barrier.
Hopefully other UHHers will have other suggestions for you based on their experiences.
Cleaning (drying) the lens with a microfiber cloth may be needed, but use a filter (UV or clear) on your lenses.
I have also used some of that anti-fog stuff sold to help keep your eye glasses from fogging when coming indoors to some effect.
But ONLY APPLY it on your filter, NEVER to the lens! It does help when the RH and temperatures differeneces are significant. I like it.
I have found that if I seal my camera in a sealable insulated plastic bag (I have several commerical "zip-lock" bags that are water proof) I have avoided the condensation problem almost entirely. (An insulated picnic bag with a plastic liner works well.)
I begin by putting the camera in the bag when outside in the cold. Whenever I go indoors the camera is already sealed in the bag. The bag helps keep the camera cool while preventing suddent changes in RH. It is not perfect, but it works most of the time. (On a rainy day with outside RG approachiong 90+ %, it becomes more difficult. Anti-fog stuff on the filter helps in these circumstances).
Keeping your camera in the cold to avoiding the temperature swings is good if possible. But I'd still use an insulated bag with a vapor barrier.
Hopefully other UHHers will have other suggestions for you based on their experiences.
Nov 7, 2012 12:14:24 #
MT Shooter wrote:
Put the camera in the trunk, not in the passenger compartment, this will avoid the issue completely. Keep a spare EN-EL 15 battery in your pocket just in case.
MT - its a train car that I'll be in and out of. It's a steam engine driven train thats going to drop us off so that it can do a run-by with bells, whistles and steam. Going to be about 20 stops over the 16 mile track
Nov 7, 2012 12:16:21 #
Nov 7, 2012 13:15:54 #
BboH wrote:
FREEZER BAG - RIGHT?
More like a soft sided insulated zippered reusable lunch or picnic bag.
Something like this:
http://www.sierratradingpost.com/thermos-dual-2-in-1-insulated-lunch-tote-bag~p~4411x/?utm_source=GooglePLAs&utm_medium=PaidShopping&utm_term=Thermos_Dual_2-In-1_Insulated_Lunch_Tote_Bag&utm_campaign=PCGOOGLEPLA2&codes-processed=true
or:
http://www.amazon.com/Ensign-Peak-Insulated-Lunch-Green/dp/B002NJD580
But you should be able to find something in any K-Mart or Wal-Mart. Zippered and plastic-lined is best.
Bring your camera and the lens you plan to use to make sure it fits OK.
Nov 8, 2012 01:48:56 #
BboH wrote:
Going on "Winter Photo Freight Specials"... (show quote)
A 32 mile excursion that takes 9:15 (hr:min) will have stops and/or slow points for shooting, in addition to turning the engine (probably on a balloon track or a run-around). Talk to the Conductor or Trainman to see if there any open vestibules from which you can shoot. Our excursion has one on our first-class observation car (extra cost, but worth it).
Nov 8, 2012 05:28:25 #
Don't forget that if you are getting condensation on the lens etc you will also get it on the chip which you cannot wipe off. Going into the cold from the warm is not the problem but the other way. Once your kit is cold keep it in a chiller box when in the car.
Nov 8, 2012 05:41:39 #
Spare battery in your pocket makes it last longer. I found my battery in camera showed empty and then put it in my pocket to warm up and it was okay again.
Nov 8, 2012 05:59:17 #
I had the opposite problem on a cruise up the Mekong River, going from an air-conditioned cabin to a hot, humid shore excursion. The problem was the condensation due to a cold body and lens suddenly immersed in a hot, soupy atmosphere. The best solution was to keep the camera at a constant temperature, ie Out of the air-conditioning. You have the reverse problem. So keep your camera cold and follow the advice above about batteries.
Nov 8, 2012 06:50:49 #
Mogul wrote:
quote=BboH Going on "Winter Photo Freight Sp... (show quote)
Mogul - this is a photo excursion - the photo ops are when the train stops for the photogs to get off, set up and then the train runs-by for us to shoot. Saturday train goes up hill, engine pulling, returns by backing down the grade. Sunday the oposite. Stops on the way up and on the way down
Nov 8, 2012 06:51:54 #
Nov 8, 2012 07:49:18 #
BboH wrote:
Going on "Winter Photo Freight Specials"... (show quote)
I may be wrong, but to my knowledge there is basically not a way to bring a freezing camer into a warm room without getting condensation. If you were able to keep it warm while shooting outside this might not be as bad during the temp change. If I was having to shoot inside and outside at the same time, two cameras would be my only option. If you are making these stops and shooting outside only, it sounds like Festina Lente's idea about the insulated tote sounds perfect. The object being to keep the camera cold after it gets cold. I would pop the battery out during the breaks and put them in my pocket. I would really like to know what you do on this shoot! Please post some photo's and how everything came out. I'll bet over the years I've lost 100's of photo's due to condensation. :(
Robert
Nov 8, 2012 07:59:36 #
BboH wrote:
quote=Mogul quote=BboH Going on "Winter Pho... (show quote)
Since no trunk is available, use a camera bag that closes completely & avoid those which only have a flap to close. Put your camera & lenses into it & close it tightly BEFORE going back inside & DO NOT open it again until you are back out in the cold for your next photo op. this will keep the cold from instantly coming into contact with the camera & lenses and forming condensation. Remember too that lenses have outside AND inside surfaces that will form condensation. You may be able to wipe the outside down but the insides of those same lens elements will need to dry on their own & that's how mold & fungus get started on the inside of lenses.
Nov 8, 2012 08:36:35 #
While everyone is on the right track (pun intended) the goal is to avoid "SUDDEN" temperature changes. Using an insulated lunch bag is wonderful but when you hit the warm temps for any length of time the camera will warm back up only to get the quick freeze when you go back outside. I would recommend using a cooler pack (those frozen containers of blue goo that don't leak) inside your lunch bag, wrapped with a small towel to prevent patch freezing, to keep the temp cold. At the end of the day it's OK to let the camera warm up slowly Then start all over the next day. This method has been invaluable to me on many occasions.
For those in the opposite temperature spectrum, swap with a warm goo pack.
Looking forward to some great photos. Good luck.
For those in the opposite temperature spectrum, swap with a warm goo pack.
Looking forward to some great photos. Good luck.
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