GrannyAnnie

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burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Yeah, I never had any issues with my F BODY. The FTn FINDER optics delaminated, and the batteries leaked toxic mercury goo. I got a lecture about heat from the repair guy.

Modern cameras and lenses contain powerful computers. They have tiny microcircuits made with layers less than 20 NANOMETERS thick. Heat, static, power surges, and rapid temperature changes can ruin them. In my time at a school portrait company, I saw first-hand how summer sun shining on a black car could render a Canon EOS 20D useless — to the point of not repairable — in less than four hours.

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

I keep a ZS100 in a low located glove box and it still works fine. I'd think twice about it in the summer if I lived further south. Then again, I use a window shield and leave windows open a crack in summer. I don't like sitting down on seats or touching a steering wheel that have been soaking in burning heat.

PierreD

Living in Arizona and spending a lot of time doing wildlife photography, I am routinely out there at temperatures exceeding 110 F - although, in these cases, if possible for no longer than a couple of hours at a time. Never had any problem with camera - but considering using gloves during photography so as to not burn my fingers!

azdustdevil

Heat can cause lens groups to separate!

ronpier Loc: Poland Ohio

Personally I never leave my gear unattended for theft reasons more than heat even though excessive heat could be a factor in other ways.

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

As above, it's not the camera. But the batteries are another issue. Lithium batteries do not do well in hot environments, and can even explode. If in a camera bag on the floor, out of direct sunlight, for short periods of time you should have no problem. But if you must , just take the batteries out and take them with you. Insulated "shopping" bags are cheap insurance to keep gear safe is another choice

fetzler Loc: North West PA

You must have not been very far north. I recall -35F in Minnesota and have relatives that live where it can less than -50F.

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

That's all you need to know! I have used cameras in extreme conditions, especially heat and high humidity where I had no alternative and I have paid many significant repair bills. Close cars on hot days ins no place for photographic equipment- you can bake muffins in a glove box or trunk in a black car parked in the sunlight on a hot day. Avoid it whenever possible.

As Burkphoto indicated, electromechanical devices, electronics, batteries, lens cement, lubricants, and any material that is prone to expansion and/or contraction due to temperature extreme are gonna suffer.

A word to the wise, from the wise!

PierreD

Well, this thing about the exploding batteries is a bit of a worry. But as a wildlife photographer living in a hot climate, what you gonna to do when it gets hot outside? Stay home and watch TV?

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Both Herff Jones Photography Division had, and Lifetouch has facilities in MN that I visited regularly. I had two different Directors in Lewiston (near Winona) at different points in my career.

The lowest I encountered in Burnsville was —12F. The lowest in Winona was —5F. I was lucky! Two weeks later, it was —42 there.

It rarely drops below +5F here in central NC.

And I was born in Michigan, where, as a kid, I saw snow drifts above the top of the front door!

Paul Diamond Loc: Atlanta, GA, USA

Never understood people who buy dark color cars when they live in states with high heat and humidity. Part of this issue, but another story. Per experts, the sealed car temp can rise to 125 or even over 150 after a few hours. If I keep a camera or electronics (laptop) in the car, it goes into a cheap large styrofoam cooler with a few 'cold packs'. I'm concerned about protecting my equipment from the heat as well as from crooks. A cooler is less reason to break a window of a locked car than seeing a camera bag, backpack with laptop, etc. on the floor or bulging under a blanket (blanket in the summer?).

But, I carry the camera/laptop into the restaurant or resort/tour when I leave the car. I feel safer for my equipment being protected from theft and heat. And, I might see a photo op once inside? My foot is always touching my camera bag/backpack.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

Back in the film era, I kept my camera in a small cooler if I had to leave it in a car. I don’t do that now, but I don’t have any definite info to justify my change.

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

It's really a matter of COMMON SENSE!

If you HAVE to work in conditions that are hostile to your gear, you take the best preventative measures you can and do what you need to do to continue shooting and capturing the pictures you want or need. If you are not in such a situation, don't be lazy when you are touring or casually shooting and don't use your car for a giant camera bag, especially in extreme weather conditions- heat, extremely high humidity, sub-freezing temperatures, etc.

Besides damages from these elements, you may be subjecting your gear to smash and grab thefts as well.

All my equipment is heavily insured but what happens if some vital gear is stolen a commercial location shoot? Even if the insurance reimburses me for losses, some gear is not readily available for replacement.
and of course, once claims are made- the premiums go up!

Up herein Canda, in my city, Summers are hot and humid and Winters are very cold and the high humidity and wind velocity can be pretty destructive on certain days. I usually opt for black cars and although marking them with commercial signage is good marketing, I have never had my vehicles marked. Keeping the cars and vans conservative and basically unattractive helps prevent break-ins and thefts. My city, fortunately, is not plagued with high incidences of crime but we do have our share and some of the industrial areas that I work in oftentimes do have higher crime stats.

My advice is to "TAKE YOU GEAR WITH YOU" whenever possible. There is a wealth of inexpensive gear transport equipment- backpacks, dollies, all kids of strong collapsable carts, and small hand-trucks- even a good shopping cart will suffice in some circumstances. When I travel to shoot casually, I usually take only what I can carry on my person. On assignments where I need to pack lots of gear, we put everything on wheels and I usually work with an assistant or two.

Stories! There are always stories about the uncles who smoked cigarettes, cigars, a pipe, pot, drugs, and drank a gallon of booze each week and lived 'till 105 years old. Scientifically gathered statistics still tell us that all that stuff causes cancer, lung disease, liver failure, brain damage, serious addictions, and premature death. Then there are the other stories about the guy who dipped his old Leica, Hasselblad, or Nikon F in boiling old and stored them in the freezer and it always worked. Well- y'all get the idea- there are always exceptions to the rules. Some of these old cameras WERE built like brick outhouses and were basically mechanical devices! Nowadays cameras are loaded with every manner of electronics, batteries, and are disproportionately more expensive to purchase, replace, and maybe next to impossible to repair at a nominal cost. Was a time where you could beat the dickens out of you 20-year old Speedgraphic and bring it to the local repair guy- just like a broken down car, and he would fix it up good as new- not anymore! If your favorite digital camera ain't still on warranty, get ready to take out a second mortgage!

aellman Loc: Boston MA

I was going to suggest a cooler, but he will have to test how effective it is.