d3200prime

Photolady2014 Loc: Southwest Colorado

I spent 10 days in Yellowstone with temps from -26 to around 0. In and out of the car and no problem. I did have a heavy blanket I could cover the camera with to act as a barrier between it and the heat, but it was not always covered. I also did not blast the heat, but at 0 or less I certainly did run it!

Also, the big bag type coolers they sell at Sams etc. can work well depending on the size of your camera and lens. Just put it in the bag when you get in the car, it will help keep it cold.

Keep in mind, I live in a low humidity place as is Yellowstone. A humid place would be different I suspect.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Most definitely!

I was in a hotel in Albuquerque one winter and turned in the hot water in the shower to get some humidity into the room.
The steam never left the shower stall.....

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

Yes I know. That is why I pointed out I take my camera from a bag in the vehicle and have never had a problem. No problem in any of several states I have visited/lived including Alaska, Washington, Wyoming, Colorado and others in the winter.

Thanks for commenting.

Dennis

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Meant not so much for you as others so there is less confusion for some people.

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

No problem. I was not offended. I was only wondering why you addressed it to me when I had stated I have never had a problem with condensation. A general post would have worked, would it not?

Dennis

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

It would.
It depends on what some people may have erroneously inferred from your post.
I knew what you meant.

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

I do lots of industrial photograhy on construction sites in Winter. If I need to jump into my vehicle quickly and drive from one section to another, I keep the heater turned off. When I leave the site for the day, I SLOWLY bring up the temperature in the car as the gear is warming up. The camera is usually OK but my hands are kinda hypothermic but I resit the temptation to put on the heater on full blast.

In my geographic location, the cold weather is usually accompanied by high humidity. Oftentimes there is snow, melting ice, and mud on the ground so moisture is everpresent. It becomes especially problematic when one section is heated by propane heaters and the adjacent area is ice cold and I have to go back and forth between the two extremes.

Sometimes, no matter what I do- plastic bags, insulated camera covers, silica gel, etc., some condensation will set it. All I can do is allow it to dissipate and make certain that there is no residual moisture in the camera and the lenses. Up here in Canada, condensation comes withte territory.

When I shot the attached images it was -20 degrees C, in the cherry picker I was shooting from.

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

Peterfiore Loc: Where DR goes south

Bingo!!!!!!!! We have a winner

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

To keep condensation to a minimum avoid changes in temperature. So, if your going to be in and out of your car I suggest keeping your gear in the trunk of your car. So, get out of your car, go to the trunk, remove gear, use gear, put gear back in your camera bag in the trunk and move to the next location.
Remember, consistent temperatures keeps condensation in check.
Good luck and keep on shooting until the end.

par4fore Loc: Bay Shore N.Y.

I wouldn't go to any extra prep for a possible "jump out shot" warm to cold. I find more condensation issues going from a cold to warm.

Chadp Loc: Virginia Beach

Typically the only moisture added inside a car is evaporation from our bodies. Moisture can build up in the car if you have a very tightly built car and keep the ventilation on recirculating. So just keep the ventilation on the setting that brings in outside air and you should be fine. Rolling down a window an inch or so will help also.

Keeping equipment in the trunk as some have said could actually be worse for your equipment depending on thermodynamic conditions outside and inside.

davidrb Loc: Half way there on the 45th Parallel

The only way you can possibly do this and be satisfied with the results your get is to turn off all heat in your car and get cold! The laws of physics dictate this. Your scenario is a blueprint of destruction for your camera.

Chadp Loc: Virginia Beach

This is not correct. To what law of physics are you referring? Heat and moisture are two separate things. If you study a Psychometric chart you will see that a cold car will only increase the possibility that your camera equipment is closer to the dew point temperature which will increase the possibility of condensation. A warm car will not add moisture unless moisture is added to the car.