DSLR in hot weather?

LouisVarn · 05-22-2015, 03:57 PM

Hi guys,

Long time Pentax user - had my K-x since around March 2010 and still going strong.

Visiting North Africa / Egypt next week with a friend, considering bringing my camera and a prime or two, weather expected to be around 40-45c (104-113f)

Are DSLR's happy to operate in these temperatures? It's white, so should be slightly happier in the sun than a black camera, just concerned about damaging it!

Thanks

Adam · 05-22-2015, 04:36 PM

Originally posted by LouisVarn

Are DSLR's happy to operate in these temperatures? It's white, so should be slightly happier in the sun than a black camera, just concerned about damaging it!

A weather-sealed camera like the K-50 would certainly be happy to operate up to 40 degrees C per the specs. Try to keep your camera in the shade whenever possible and you should be fine.

**Mikesul** · 05-22-2015, 04:56 PM

I have been using my Pentax DSLRs (K7, K5, K5ii, K3, even K-01) in the Arizona and Utah deserts during the hottest part of summer for years without a single heat related problem. Temperatures are often at or above 110 when I use the cameras. The Q has real problems with the heat but the DSLRs have been very reliable.

alamo5000 · 05-22-2015, 05:58 PM - **1 Like**

It gets steaming hot here in the summers (100++ F) and here is my advice.

Never leave your camera in the direct sunlight for a long time.

Never leave your camera in the car with the windows up no matter what. Carry it if you have to. Lenses too. If you do need to put it in the car put it in the trunk.

If you are going in and out of the AC the drastic temp changes can fog everything up. Let your camera acclimate on a day to day hour to hour basis.

The temp alone won't bother anything. If anything at all I would be careful about using live view. I over heated a camera body once and got a warning light because I was heavily using live view. This may or may not be related to the outside temp, but it certainly didn't help.

kadajawi · 05-22-2015, 06:18 PM

Originally posted by alamo5000

It gets steaming hot here in the summers (100++ F) and here is my advice.

Never leave your camera in the direct sunlight for a long time.

Never leave your camera in the car with the windows up no matter what. Carry it if you have to. Lenses too. If you do need to put it in the car put it in the trunk.

If you are going in and out of the AC the drastic temp changes can fog everything up. Let your camera acclimate on a day to day hour to hour basis.

The temp alone won't bother anything. If anything at all I would be careful about using live view. I over heated a camera body once and got a warning light because I was heavily using live view. This may or may not be related to the outside temp, but it certainly didn't help.

I regularly overheat my K-5 while shooting video... I get more hot pixels while it is hot, but otherwise I haven't found any problems. My camera is still alive, and I overheat it quite often.

DeadJohn · 05-22-2015, 06:22 PM

45c should be okay for still images. High ISO may show more noise than at cooler temperatures. Extended length video and live view can overheat the sensor but not damage it; the camera automatically shuts down if the internal heat exceeds some limit.

A DSLR is better than a mirrorless in heat because of the optical viewfinder.

jgnfld · 05-22-2015, 08:04 PM

Originally posted by Adam

A weather-sealed camera like the K-500 would certainly be happy to operate up to 40 degrees C per the specs. Try to keep your camera in the shade whenever possible and you should be fine.

Forgive me, but the K-500 is not weather sealed to the best of my knowledge. No idea how this changes heat adaptation, though.

Adam · 05-22-2015, 08:10 PM

Originally posted by jgnfld

Forgive me, but the K-500 is not weather sealed to the best of my knowledge. No idea how this changes heat adaptation, though.

50, sorry! Typo.

hcc · 05-22-2015, 10:53 PM

Originally posted by alamo5000

It gets steaming hot here in the summers (100++ F) and here is my advice.

Never leave your camera in the direct sunlight for a long time.

Never leave your camera in the car with the windows up no matter what. Carry it if you have to. Lenses too. If you do need to put it in the car put it in the trunk.

+1 with alamo500 for excellent advice.

I would add:
-During daylight carry your camera in a bag to avoid the camera being in direct sunlight.

-If you leave the camera the car trunk, consider to place it in an cooler bag.

My 5 cents..

LouisVarn · 05-24-2015, 02:32 AM

thanks guys, i think i'll do my best to keep the dust out of it, should be a good trip!

TheOneAndOnlyJH · 05-24-2015, 10:52 AM

And if you have any vintage lenses, definitely don't leave them sitting in the heat. Heat can cause older petroleum based grease on focusing helicoids to separate and run into the aperture, causing a sluggish response. When I'm worried about heat or long term storage, I store mine with the mount up so any oil will flow down away from the aperture. I'd rather notice a little oil in the edge of the front element than realize too late that I have a sluggish aperture. It's also easier to clean a little oil off the front element than disassemble and clean an aperture. (I've done both before.)

**Kerrowdown** · 05-25-2015, 03:35 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by LouisVarn

DSLR in hot weather?

Keeping drinking cold beers... my cameras always seem to work fine after that.

Aaron28 · 05-25-2015, 04:12 PM

now that's sound advice! cheers!

05-22-2015, 03:57 PM	#1
LouisVarn New Member Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 2	DSLR in hot weather? Hi guys, Long time Pentax user - had my K-x since around March 2010 and still going strong. Visiting North Africa / Egypt next week with a friend, considering bringing my camera and a prime or two, weather expected to be around 40-45c (104-113f) Are DSLR's happy to operate in these temperatures? It's white, so should be slightly happier in the sun than a black camera, just concerned about damaging it! Thanks

05-22-2015, 04:36 PM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,608	Originally posted by LouisVarn Are DSLR's happy to operate in these temperatures? It's white, so should be slightly happier in the sun than a black camera, just concerned about damaging it! A weather-sealed camera like the K-50 would certainly be happy to operate up to 40 degrees C per the specs. Try to keep your camera in the shade whenever possible and you should be fine. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

05-22-2015, 08:10 PM	#8
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,608	Originally posted by jgnfld Forgive me, but the K-500 is not weather sealed to the best of my knowledge. No idea how this changes heat adaptation, though. 50, sorry! Typo. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

05-22-2015, 10:53 PM	#9
hcc Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,004	Originally posted by alamo5000 It gets steaming hot here in the summers (100++ F) and here is my advice. Never leave your camera in the direct sunlight for a long time. Never leave your camera in the car with the windows up no matter what. Carry it if you have to. Lenses too. If you do need to put it in the car put it in the trunk. +1 with alamo500 for excellent advice. I would add: -During daylight carry your camera in a bag to avoid the camera being in direct sunlight. -If you leave the camera the car trunk, consider to place it in an cooler bag. My 5 cents.. Last edited by hcc; 05-23-2015 at 12:57 AM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
How to use your DSLR in Cold Weather & Shooting the Northern Lights	Nitrogliserin	Photographic Technique	41	11-26-2015 01:08 AM
submit "hot fire" for hot and cold contest in june	Andy123	Monthly Photo Contests	2	07-10-2014 03:33 AM
Macro The Hot Weather..................	eaglem	Post Your Photos!	7	01-16-2013 08:01 AM
Macro They rest a lot in hot weather	eaglem	Post Your Photos!	4	01-07-2013 07:47 AM
Hot Australian weather and camera care	Vylen	Pentax DSLR Discussion	11	01-08-2009 02:35 AM

05-22-2015, 04:56 PM	#3
Mikesul Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 7,594	I have been using my Pentax DSLRs (K7, K5, K5ii, K3, even K-01) in the Arizona and Utah deserts during the hottest part of summer for years without a single heat related problem. Temperatures are often at or above 110 when I use the cameras. The Q has real problems with the heat but the DSLRs have been very reliable.

05-22-2015, 05:58 PM - 1 Like	#4
alamo5000 Pentaxian Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 2,962	It gets steaming hot here in the summers (100++ F) and here is my advice. Never leave your camera in the direct sunlight for a long time. Never leave your camera in the car with the windows up no matter what. Carry it if you have to. Lenses too. If you do need to put it in the car put it in the trunk. If you are going in and out of the AC the drastic temp changes can fog everything up. Let your camera acclimate on a day to day hour to hour basis. The temp alone won't bother anything. If anything at all I would be careful about using live view. I over heated a camera body once and got a warning light because I was heavily using live view. This may or may not be related to the outside temp, but it certainly didn't help.

05-22-2015, 06:18 PM	#5
kadajawi Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 2,799	Originally posted by alamo5000 It gets steaming hot here in the summers (100++ F) and here is my advice. Never leave your camera in the direct sunlight for a long time. Never leave your camera in the car with the windows up no matter what. Carry it if you have to. Lenses too. If you do need to put it in the car put it in the trunk. If you are going in and out of the AC the drastic temp changes can fog everything up. Let your camera acclimate on a day to day hour to hour basis. The temp alone won't bother anything. If anything at all I would be careful about using live view. I over heated a camera body once and got a warning light because I was heavily using live view. This may or may not be related to the outside temp, but it certainly didn't help. I regularly overheat my K-5 while shooting video... I get more hot pixels while it is hot, but otherwise I haven't found any problems. My camera is still alive, and I overheat it quite often.

05-22-2015, 06:22 PM	#6
DeadJohn Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: New York Posts: 4,834	45c should be okay for still images. High ISO may show more noise than at cooler temperatures. Extended length video and live view can overheat the sensor but not damage it; the camera automatically shuts down if the internal heat exceeds some limit. A DSLR is better than a mirrorless in heat because of the optical viewfinder.

05-22-2015, 08:04 PM	#7
jgnfld Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Avalon Peninsula, Newfoundland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,798	Originally posted by Adam A weather-sealed camera like the K-500 would certainly be happy to operate up to 40 degrees C per the specs. Try to keep your camera in the shade whenever possible and you should be fine. Forgive me, but the K-500 is not weather sealed to the best of my knowledge. No idea how this changes heat adaptation, though.

05-24-2015, 02:32 AM	#10
LouisVarn New Member Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 2 Original Poster	thanks guys, i think i'll do my best to keep the dust out of it, should be a good trip!

05-24-2015, 10:52 AM	#11
TheOneAndOnlyJH Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 351	And if you have any vintage lenses, definitely don't leave them sitting in the heat. Heat can cause older petroleum based grease on focusing helicoids to separate and run into the aperture, causing a sluggish response. When I'm worried about heat or long term storage, I store mine with the mount up so any oil will flow down away from the aperture. I'd rather notice a little oil in the edge of the front element than realize too late that I have a sluggish aperture. It's also easier to clean a little oil off the front element than disassemble and clean an aperture. (I've done both before.)

05-25-2015, 03:35 PM - 2 Likes	#12
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,860	Originally posted by LouisVarn DSLR in hot weather? Keeping drinking cold beers... my cameras always seem to work fine after that.

05-25-2015, 04:12 PM	#13
Aaron28 Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Huntsville, Al Posts: 7,131	now that's sound advice! cheers!