A Cold Snap???

Quoted message said:

Can I tap into u.r.w.'s expertise in using digital cameras in extreme conditions? A friend of mine
who is a geological consulatant wants to get a digital camera, but needs one that will work
reliably outdoors in all weathers.

The manual for my Nikon 5700 gives an operating environment range of 0-40 degrees C (32-104F) and
humidity of less than 85% (ie: no condensation). I've used the camera at quite a bit lower than
freezing point but it's in and out of the insulated camera bag frequently so never gets really cold.
I would think all manufacturers would give a similar range of conditions. Batteries don't like
extreme cold and their life will be severely reduced in such conditions.

--
Dave Newton

Lake District Walk&Photo web site
daves-lakeland-mountains.co.ukdaves-lakeland-mountains.co.ukOpen ↗

Nigel Whittington said:

Can I tap into u.r.w.'s expertise in using digital cameras in extreme conditions? A friend of mine
who is a geological consulatant wants to get a digital camera, but needs one that will work
reliably outdoors in all weathers.

Can anyone venture an opinion as to which cameras work consistently in very cold conditions?

My Canon G3 has an operating range of 0 - 40 C. However I have used it in sub-zero conditions a few
times. Once was a long sub-zero day with terrible wind-chill (which shouldn't affect the camera) and
ended with a ridge walk in the snow. No battery problems.

The manual does state that the battery will have reduced life in the cold but it may be worth
pointing out that the Canon battery has a stupendous life to begin with, they estimate 450 shots
with the LCD on including zooming in and out, over 1000 shots with the LCD off. So it should last a
while even in the cold.

As for general weatherproofing though, I wouldn't trust it in the rain and the same applies to most
digital cameras.

I did mention another Canon camera a while back, the S40 I think, for which you can buy a special
plastic underwater case. Expensive, but perfect if you want to take photographs in torrential
downpours with complete confidence.

Other than that he might want to invest in a professional digital SLR. Very expensive but apparently
some (many?) of those are weatherproof.

Paul
--
The October Project 2003
wildwales.fsnet.co.ukoctober.htmlOpen ↗
wilderness-wales.co.ukwilderness-wales.co.ukOpen ↗
photosig.comuserphotosOpen ↗

In article <[email hidden]>, Nigel Whittington <coastwatch@my-
dejanews.com> writes

Quoted message said:

Can I tap into u.r.w.'s expertise in using digital cameras in extreme conditions? A friend of mine
who is a geological consulatant wants to get a digital camera, but needs one that will work
reliably outdoors in all weathers.

Can anyone venture an opinion as to which cameras work consistently in very cold conditions?

TTFN

Nigel Whittington Argos tent owner

Lithium batteries are a must in low temps. That's why Paul's G3 works OK, and the NiMH AAs in my
Canon A20 don't. However Lithium disposables work fine.

You might like to look at the Olympus Mju 300 and 400 , they are for rugged conditions.

Bernard Hill Selkirk, Scotland

On 12 Oct 2003 03:04:30 -0700, [email hidden] (Nigel

Whittington) said:

Can I tap into u.r.w.'s expertise in using digital cameras in extreme conditions? A friend of mine
who is a geological consulatant wants to get a digital camera, but needs one that will work
reliably outdoors in all weathers.

Can anyone venture an opinion as to which cameras work consistently in very cold conditions?

You will theoretically get better results from the CCD in the cold, as the lower temperature will
reduce boltzmann noise etc. However like every other camera you will have problems with sticking
shutters in cold weather, the LCD will probably freeze at about -22C (although it won't harm it).
The biggest problem will be loss of battery life - even using lithium cells you could expect to lose
two thirds of the capacity of the cells.

The best way is to keep the camera tucked inside your jacket if possible and just bring it out to
shoot with.

Quoted message said:

TTFN

Nigel Whittington Argos tent owner

--
79.84% of all statistics are made up on the spot. The other 42% are made up later on. In Warwick -
looking at flat fields and that includes the castle.

Quoted message said:

Can I tap into u.r.w.'s expertise in using digital cameras in extreme conditions? A friend of mine
who is a geological consulatant wants to get a digital camera, but needs one that will work
reliably outdoors in all weathers.

Quoted message said:

Can anyone venture an opinion as to which cameras work consistently in very cold conditions?

Was up Mera Peak, Nepal last year with my old Kodak DC280. Took along 24 AA batteries for the trip
as the camera uses 4. Once we were above 18000ft the average temperature was below freezing. At
night it went down to -12C in the tent, but the camera and batteries were with my feet in the
sleeping bag. On summit day, we arose at 0300 and the temp then was about -24C. It 'warmed up'
though as the sun rose, but still pretty cold. The camera worked perfect throughout the trip in all
conditions, and I still had charged batteries left over after a month in Nepal. Photos from the trip
are on my website.

Now, not saying all cameras will operate under similar condions, but the trusty Kodak did. Hoping my
new Canon G3 will provide the same service when I return to Nepal next September for a trip up Chulu
West. However, I shall have the Kodak as back up.

--
Sandy Saunders @ www.thewalkzone.co.uk

'Mountains or Mole Hills ... summiting still brings
the same excitement'