Protecting camera at very low temperatures

[valice]

Wanna ask how to maintain your camera when bringing it to a country where it is winter now.

Heard of stories that the mirror or aperture freezes and got stuck at those temperature. It is because the camera itself is already damp inside? So the moisture in it sort of freezed?

[Justikanz]

Oh yeah... Can share share experience? I wanna bring my camera out to Taiwan/HK for their winter... Yes, not that cold but still better to be safe than sorry...

[mervin]

in extreme cold, think the battery will fail 1st before anything.

[tawauboy]

your camera will work in winter. the battery will fail if exposed to cold temperatures. however, they will recover when warmed.
nothing to worry about unless you plan to visit Siberia or Antarctica.

[valice]

Thank you guys. I can safely bring my camera for the coming trip.

[benny]

your camera will work in winter. the battery will fail if exposed to cold temperatures. however, they will recover when warmed.
nothing to worry about unless you plan to visit Siberia or Antarctica.

Even in Antarctica, my camera works just fine. It was about -4 degrees max. No problems. But battery drain is a slight problem. Once we get back to our boat, the battery comes back to life!

Cheers,

[valice]

You went to Antarctica??!!
For what purpose may I ask? Abit OT I know. But interested to know.

[benny]

You went to Antarctica??!!
For what purpose may I ask? Abit OT I know. But interested to know.

Went camping and to catch the Antarctic Icefish. But could not keep it alive. Makes nice porridge though.

I'll show some pictures when I get a chance to scan them. Beautiful place.

Cheers,

[valice]

Sure sure!!! Looking forward to them...

[juggler]

Wanna ask how to maintain your camera when bringing it to a country where it is winter now.

Heard of stories that the mirror or aperture freezes and got stuck at those temperature. It is because the camera itself is already damp inside? So the moisture in it sort of freezed?

Keep camera warm near your body or in a bag/pouch to prevent it from excess exposure to the cold. Bring more batteries along.

Also, how about bringing a fully manual film camera as backup?
If SLR too big, a small rangefinder could do.

[valice]

Shall need to get another backup battery then. Seems like batteries exhaust faster at lower temperatures.

[tawauboy]

Even in Antarctica, my camera works just fine. It was about -4 degrees max. No problems. But battery drain is a slight problem. Once we get back to our boat, the battery comes back to life!

Cheers,

only -4 degrees? you went there during the antarctic summer?

with wind chill, the temperature can dip below -20~-30 degrees. cameras and lenses , when exposed to prolonged exposures to extreme cold temperatures will freeze lubricants and 'stick' shutter curtain mechanism and aperture blades.

[benny]

only -4 degrees? you went there during the antarctic summer?

with wind chill, the temperature can dip below -20~-30 degrees. cameras and lenses , when exposed to prolonged exposures to extreme cold temperatures will freeze lubricants and 'stick' shutter curtain mechanism and aperture blades.

Year End. Should be summer. Like almost 10 years ago? Goodness time flies.

Cheers,

[tawauboy]

year end is summer in antarctica.
do scan some photos for us to drool.

[benny]

year end is summer in antarctica.
do scan some photos for us to drool.

It's already up. But the bloody scanner is damn slow.

Cheers,