I've been researching cold-weather photography techniques in preparation for an upcoming trip to Canada. As expected, one of the major issues of concern is the formation of condensation when transfering your equipment from the cold into a warmer environment. All sources seem to be in agreement that a plastic bag should be used to store the camera when transfering it indoors. I've also, however, encountered numerous sources which (and to me it seems conflicting) reccomend keeping your camera inside your coat between shots. The rationale is that this helps to preserve battery power, but wouldn't your bodyheat cause condensation to form? Should the camera be placed in a plastic bag each and every time it is moved from the cold into your warm jacket? And for simplicity, is it ever possible to keep the camera in the cold for the duration of your photo-session? Thanks alot, RE

-- Ari Genauer (sirshags@eden.rutgers.edu), January 17, 2002

Answers

If you put a cold camera into a warm moist jackt, you would certainly expect condensation, so would have to use a plasic bag. But I think the idea is generally to put it under your coat but not right close to your skin, where it'll be a bit warmer but still pretty dry.

I've never actually done this though, I tend to let cameras just stay cold (my cold-weather shooting has been while mountaineereing, where putting a camera inside your clothing just isn't practical.) Fresh lithium batteries are essential, the less power-hungry the camera the better. The only time I've had problems is when the camera has spent the night outside and hence got very cold indeed, far colder than shooting temperature. If I keep it warm at night it's fine (it spends the day in a lowepro chest pack which offers a little insulation.) As insurance you could keep some spare batteries (also fresh lithiums) deep inside your clothing.

The kind of condensation that always gets me is breathing on the viewfinder. Just about impossible to clean off!

Hope this helps, have a gret trip!

-- Michael Abbott (web@mabot.com), January 17, 2002.

I have a friend that photographs the Iditarod Sled Dog Race each year. His practice in the past has been to keep a couple of Canon EOS 1n's wraped up & stuffed into his freezer until he needs them. He never lets them thaw out. He had them serviced for cold weather & he doesn't use them for anything else. At least this used to be his practice. I haven't asked him about it for a few years. I don't think that's a very affordable practice for most of us though.

Most new cameras use less liquid lubrication than older mechanical bodies so they are less apt to freeze up, but batteries remain a problem. One thing you can do is get a remote battery pack that you keep in your pocket and attached to the camera with a coiled wire. Canon makes such a device called the BP-5 for the EOS 5/A2 and the BP- 5B for the EOS 50/Elan II. It uses D cells and solves the cold battery problem. It wouldn't be hard to modify it's use for any camera that uses a CR-5 battery.

I usually keep my camera in a warm pocket or zipped up inside my coat unless I'm going to shoot a lot. That keeps it warm enough for the batteries and it doesn't get wet with condensation unless I use the camera long enough to get it really cold. If it does I wrap it in a plastic bag & put it back in my coat until it warms up. But if it's not going to be below 10 degrees F I just leave it out & let it get cold and then wrap it up before going inside.

-- Jim Strutz (j.strutz@gci.net), January 17, 2002.

Hi Ari, For some cameras you can get leads that run from the camera to a cold weather battery pack that is kept in a pocket for warmth. It is also said to be advisable to have lubricants changed for a lighter oil when in the cold, but I think this is only neccessary for SERIOUS cold, i.e. Antarctic -50s. I've heard plenty of reports of cameras working fine in Arctic conditions that I trust my F-1Ns without any 'winterisation'. Another thing that might be useful is a face warmer (I think they are actually hand warmers) which is a little spongy thing that straps onto the back of the camera to stop your face freezing to the metal. Try outdoor suppliers. I would agree that the best way to avoid condensation when bringing kit into a warm room is don't. Take the batteries, but leave the rest somewhere fairly cool.

Regards Steve

-- Steve Phillipps (steve@redvixen.freeserve.co.uk), January 28, 2002.