Shooting Below 32 degrees

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Leroy Foreman
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p.1 #1 · Shooting Below 32 degrees

I have a Canon 1D MKIIn. Going to Gaylord Palms Ice Sculptures this weekend and the temperature will be around 9 degrees F. My question is would it be safe without causing damage to my camera at this low temperature?

Edited by Leroy Foreman on Dec 12, 2007 at 06:48 AM GMT

Edited by Leroy Foreman on Dec 12, 2007 at 06:50 AM GMT

Edited on Dec 12, 2007 at 03:24 PM

Dec 12, 2007 at 01:15 AM

invalid2
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p.1 #2 · Shooting Below 32 degrees

I have used cameras out of spec (too cold) and not had any trouble with it.

If the temperature is 9F, that is out of spec. If the temperature is 9C (~50F), that is in spec. ref, ref

I think "safe" (or not) depends on how you define the term.

Edited on Dec 12, 2007 at 03:24 PM

Dec 12, 2007 at 11:20 AM

Rocketball
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p.1 #3 · Shooting Below 32 degrees

I work in construction and have used my 20d on many days when the temp was in the single digits without any problems.

Take along extra batteries though. Batteries hate the cold and will usually not last as long.

Edited on Dec 12, 2007 at 03:24 PM

Dec 12, 2007 at 01:29 PM

Joel Kern
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p.1 #4 · Shooting Below 32 degrees

Shooting in 9F temps should be fine. It's out of the camera's specs, but the camera shouldn't mind too much... it is, after all, a pro model. I've used Canon and Nikon cameras in single-digit temps on many occasions. The only things you need to worry about are the battery (first thing to be affected by colder temps) and the CF card (second thing to be affected... but with a worse effect). I switched to the Sandisk Extreme cards many years ago because they handle the cold really well. Before using those, though, I used to keep a CF card in my pants pocket so it would stay warm and swap it out with the one in the camera if and when the camera would error.
Just be sure your batteries are fully charged and understand that if your camera errors it probably just means the CF card is too cold to write to.

Edited on Dec 12, 2007 at 03:24 PM

Dec 12, 2007 at 03:16 PM

KABeach
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p.1 #5 · Shooting Below 32 degrees

I've never had a problem shooting in cold Chicago weather.... as noted batteries can be an issue (their life can get very short in cold weather) so have spares...

The biggest issue I've run into is condensation when bringing the camera into a warm house after spending a lot of time in the cold... When faced with this, I will often pack my cameras in large ziplock bags (getting out as much air as possible) before bringing them in... don't take them out of the bags until they warm to room temperature.

Cheers,
Ken

Dec 12, 2007 at 03:24 PM


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