Digital Camera Question

[diablodavid007]

Does anyone have any experience using a digital camera in cold temperatures (Sony DSC)? The manual discourages it but I wonder if it is some sort of Japanese plot? Want to take some mountain biking pictures this weekend.

Comments

[_peregrinus_]

I don't know how else it can affect digital cameras, but I know the cold runs down the battery REALLY quickly. That knowledge came from first-hand experience on a subzero day.

[diablodavid007]

What about condensation?

Cut and pasted from various sites

[_peregrinus_]

You can minimize condensation on your camera and lens by allowing the camera to warm up slowly when you go indoors. Sealing it in a plastic bag before you enter a building prevents droplets of water from forming on your equipment and film. If snow blows onto your camera, brush it off. Although the snow won't necessarily harm your camera, any warmth (such as you trying to blow it off) will turn the snow to water, which can be harmful. As much as possible, avoid breathing on the lens or viewfinder outdoors to prevent fogging. If a glass surface does fog, wipe it gently with a lens tissue, such as KODAK Lens Tissue.

Battery performance is reduced at temperatures below 41° F (5° C). Carry spare batteries when using your camera in cold weather, and keep them warm until you are ready to take pictures. Do not discard cold batteries that do not work. Once they are warmed, they may be usable.

And also http://www.nyip.com/tips/current_coldtemps.php

Re: Cut and pasted from various sites

[diablodavid007]

Thank you. Still might be too cold this weekend.

[trongersoll]

there are a few problems with cold, as stated battery life is less and LCD displays can freeze. My Digital Video camera has a condensation sensor in it and will shut off if any is present, but i don't know what that is all about. I've used mine around 30 degrees but not much lower.

[diablodavid007]

Thanks Trong. I am thinking that anything below 20 degrees might be pushing it. I might try it next weekend.

[trongersoll]

keep it in an inside pocket. Body Heat.

[zasu]

my camera is a sony dsc717, and i live in an area that gets down to subzero temps frequently. i shoot constantly, never even consider whether or not it's too cold.

i know that when i used to use my canon ae-1 (analog), the batteries would often freeze, and it would become almost impossible to trip the shutter. i think my sony probably slows down a bit too, but it still works.

i've never had a problem with condensation either, but i've heard of that plastic bag trick, and have sometimes considered using it :)

[diablodavid007]

Thank you. I would guess it might be a little colder out your way. I might just give it a try.

[zasu]

just realized i forgot about the fact that i rarely spend a lot of time outdoors with my camera when it is fricken cold (as opposed to "pretty cold"). when i shoot pics during 20f or below weather, i tend to be jumping out of the car or just walking outside for a few minutes.

in any event, keeping the camera battery in your hand or armpit for a while should warm it up if necessary.

Umm sweetie is a photographer and he said....

[tjsvixen]

One you need a memory card that can handle cold weather, lots of batteries and hold your breath and take the pictures. Because your breath can cause condensation in the camera.

So can it be done? Yes! He says one of the best ways to tell if your Digital camera is up for it, leave it in the car overnight, go out and turn it on, if it is working then GREAT!!!! If not, your SOL.

You don't want the camera to be too close to your body either or else when you take it out in the cold it will fog up.

Hope that helps.

Celeste

Re: Umm sweetie is a photographer and he said....

[diablodavid007]

I might just wait for the Spring. This sounds much too labor intensive.