jimmuller wrote:
Nice pics!
You took those with a Z6-II? Does it have a published temperature range? I believe the Z5-II says 32degF. That nominal limit may be determined by the battery, not necessarily the sensor. I have not yet taken it out in very cold weather. Those shots don't look like the camera performance suffered any. Your hands however...
Jim,
Yes, most Nikon pro-sumer cameras seem to have a lame 32-104°F (0-40°C) operating range.
The Z9 has a lower min of -14°F (-10°C)
I never had a problem. Mine was in a Lowpro backpack all day in min temps that were hovering around 0°F.
A commercial IC operating temperature range is 32-158°F (0-70°C)
I suspect that Nikon will use some components that are specified with wider industrial temp ranges.
The 32-104°F (0-40°C) operating range specified by Nikon will likely be due to their end of line, single temperature, testing regime.
It is easier for them to fully characterise a statistically meaningful number of camera systems across a much wider temperature range, extract standard deviation info from the data and then rely on 'tight' single point temperature testing at end-of-line final test. This Guage R&R MSA methodology is used in the semi-conductor industry (in which I was involved for 40 years)
Another thing that helps in cold temps is component self-heating.
Junction temperature is what counts, not ambient temperature.
ICs and components will heat up when powered. This is a problem at the high ambient temperature end of things though.
I did some moonlight, long exposure photography and the camera performed flawlessly.
So, I would say Nikon cameras have a lot of tolerance relative to the specified operating temp range numbers which, in my opinion, are constrained in order to allow Nikon to reduce final test time and therefore cost.
AdaptedLenses wrote:
By and large it doesn’t really matter but find it fun and informative from time to time to compare lenses. In this case, the 85mm f/1.8 Non AI and the 85mm f/2. These results some what surprised me given the reputations. I’ll leave open the possibility that I have a decentered lens etc. but useful none the less. More samples to come.
Interesting. Unless my eyes deceive me the 2.0 looks sharper in every case, at least in the distance shots. Of course I could be seeing things, I mean, things other than what's on my screen.
DeltaSigma wrote:
Yes, most Nikon cameras seem to have a lame 32-104°F (0-40°C) operating range.
...
So, I would say Nikon cameras have a lot of tolerance relative to the specified operating temp range numbers which, in my opinion, are constrained in order to allow Nikon to reduce final test time and therefore cost.
Thanks. That's what I figured but I had to ask. In the old days I would take my Nikkormat out x-c skiing in zero degree weather and never give it a second thought. I just wasn't sure if a digital camera would be quite so robust.
Yes, most Nikon pro-sumer cameras seem to have a lame 32-104°F (0-40°C) operating range.
The Z9 has a lower min of -14°F (-10°C)
I never had a problem. Mine was in a Lowpro backpack all day in min temps that were hovering around 0°F.
A commercial IC operating temperature range is 32-158°F (0-70°C)
I suspect that Nikon will use some components that are specified with wider industrial temp ranges.
The 32-104°F (0-40°C) operating range specified by Nikon will likely be due to their end of line, single temperature, testing regime.
It is easier for them to fully characterise a statistically meaningful number of camera systems across a much wider temperature range, extract standard deviation info from the data and then rely on 'tight' single point temperature testing at end-of-line final test. This Guage R&R MSA methodology is used in the semi-conductor industry (in which I was involved for 40 years)
Another thing that helps in cold temps is component self-heating.
Junction temperature is what counts, not ambient temperature.
ICs and components will heat up when powered. This is a problem at the high ambient temperature end of things though.
I did some moonlight, long exposure photography and the camera performed flawlessly.
So, I would say Nikon cameras have a lot of tolerance relative to the specified operating temp range numbers which, in my opinion, are constrained in order to allow Nikon to reduce final test time and therefore cost.
My photo gear (including Nikon mirrorless) can tolerate more time in cold than my fingers. Only thing I really watch for is condensation either from breathing on the equipment or transition into a warm space.
I've shot with the Z in low single digit temperatures (Fahrenheit) with wind chills below zero for up to an hour with no ill effects. Camera and lens mounted on a tripod and carried over the shoulder. I don't think there any real worries other than in extended extremes.
I really enjoyed your explanations (and the Beavercreek shots) Colin, thank you. I see a past-tense in "in which I was involved for 40 years", perhaps I missed it, are you in full retirement now?
pbraymond wrote:
My photo gear (including Nikon mirrorless) can tolerate more time in cold than my fingers. Only thing I really watch for is condensation either from breathing on the equipment or transition into a warm space.
I've shot with the Z in low single digit temperatures (Fahrenheit) with wind chills below zero for up to an hour with no ill effects. Camera and lens mounted on a tripod and carried over the shoulder. I don't think there any real worries other than in extended extremes.
I really enjoyed your explanations (and the Beavercreek shots) Colin, thank you. I see a past-tense in "in which I was involved for 40 years", perhaps I missed it, are you in full retirement now?...Show more →
I retired in May 2024 but was enticed to do some consultancy work for a few months at end of 2024 and into early 2025.
AdaptedLenses wrote:
By and large it doesn’t really matter but find it fun and informative from time to time to compare lenses. In this case, the 85mm f/1.8 Non AI and the 85mm f/2. These results some what surprised me given the reputations. I’ll leave open the possibility that I have a decentered lens etc. but useful none the less. More samples to come.
It's funny how testing lenses causes listing to the right 45 degrees. Same thing happens to Fred.
On a more serious note - all them at their various apertures are acceptable - imo.
Ha, corners aside I’m convinced one leg is shorter than the other…
I arrived at the general conclusion f/1.8 for people or portraiture and f/2 for a short tele for landscapes etc. But then the 105/2.5 is arguably better than the f/1.8 for that so…
One thing that surprised me is just how much smaller the f/2 is. Probably wouldn’t matter much in a bag, but it’s quite noticeable. I’ll break out another Nikkor and get a side by side…
But yea, neither of these lenses will make nor ruin a shot. But it’s fun to see how they compare.
AdaptedLenses wrote:
By and large it doesn’t really matter but find it fun and informative from time to time to compare lenses. In this case, the 85mm f/1.8 Non AI and the 85mm f/2. These results some what surprised me given the reputations. I’ll leave open the possibility that I have a decentered lens etc. but useful none the less. More samples to come.
Very interesting. That F2 showed up and conquered for sure in these but not so much up close. I haven't done it and likely never will but this is what I think my non-AI 13.5cm f/3.5 will do to my AIS 135mm f/2.8. I just know it, yet I am still fond of the f/2.8, compatibility with more cameras, built-in hood, slightly nicer background. I'm trying to say keep them both, just try not to pixel-peep often .
I like it, not to determine a “best” but because knowing a lens’ traits is useful to take better pictures with it, or to pick the best lens for a given purpose. And because it’s a fun way to play with a lens when otherwise the opportunity for photos is uninspiring.
The village is at 8,100 feet.
The bottom section of the Centennial piste is nice and steep.
Due to the overall lack of snowfall in the Rockies this year it was an icy challenge.
A group of night-time skiiers came down the slope and entered my long exposure frame perfectly. The skiiers walk up the mountain with 'skins' on their skis and then ski down the freshly groomed slopes using headlamps and the nearly full moon as their light sources.
Central Park with The Eldorado (1931) in the background. The iconic building has had several celebrities as tenants, Marilyn Monroe, Groucho Marx, Faye Dunaway, Carrie Fisher plus others.
