Jim McCann wrote:
Since I've lived in Fairbanks, Alaska, for some 54 years, I'll throw in a few random thoughts on this cold weather. It's minus 15 outside my window today. Warmer than yesterday's minus 31, but it'll be a bit above zero for the rest of the week. Times, they are changing.
OP has already gotten some great advice, but I'll fill in a few possible holes. You can purchase all sorts of cold-weather clothing here in Fairbanks. I'll be glad to give you some ideas where. Our kids trick-or-treat in temps below zero, sometimes minus 20. We have experience. You can rent a 4WD vehicle or just stay in the easier-to-get-to areas and drive an AWD rig.
As to your camera in the cold...I've never had any problems in the cold except that you'll be working those batteries hard. Bring extra. Batteries are hard to find in Fairbanks because no one will ship to us. A friend of mine did some time-lapse experiments just the other night at minus-30 and he left his R5 outside all night taking photos. The two grip batteries quit the job after 6 hours, but the camera worked and continues to work fine.
I'm one who has spent a lot of hours standing outdoors doing photography over the years, but on the rare occasion I'll go out to do some more aurora photos, I've also taken to setting up my camera and sitting in my Jeep sipping coffee while I wait for the "lights" to appear. One could then use a remote to take the photo or just get out of the car and fire the camera.
As to gloves...I use a lightweight pair of space-age fabric gloves of some type, but I'll have a pair of heavy Arctic mittens hanging around my neck. I keep my hands inside those mittens until I'm ready to take photos. The lightweight gloves allow dexterity and keep my bare hands off cold metal.
Be careful of condensation. A lot of folks just put their cold-soaked camera into a case and store it in the back seat, but I use garbage bags and let the camera warm slowly.
I hope you have a great adventure and get some magnificent photographs.
Jim
Thanjs Jim! I wish I had kniwn about that glove suggestion last week! I was in Iceland last wek getting shits of the Northern Lights, glaciers, frozen waterfalls, etc. I will definitely use the gloves/mittens suggestion next time!
Dec 02, 2024 at 01:48 PM
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