Can I shoot in cold weather with a K-X?

Nomad · 12-20-2009, 10:15 AM

Hi,

I just bought my wife a k-x(white) for Christmas and we live in Maine. Can she safely shoot with the K-X in cold weather (20 F)?
I will be doing an "arctic plunge" on New Years Day at the local beach and it would make a great op but I don't want her to trash her new baby in the first week.
She is new to the digi world and you will all meet her soon when she opens her new baby and starts an account here!!
Thanks in advance for this question and any other helpful hints for someone coming over to DSLR from the film (35 and med format) world!!

Marc Sabatella · 12-20-2009, 11:09 AM

Although it's not specifically weather sealed or guaranteed for any particular conditions, I've had no problems with other non-sealed Pentax DSLR's in those kind of temperatures.

johnmflores · 12-20-2009, 11:25 AM

I had a non weather-sealed Nikon D70 in temperatures as low as -40 and it worked fine. I just stuffed it in my jacket from time to time to keep it from freezing up.

Be sure to post photos of the "Arctic Plunge." Sounds fun, in a masochistic kind of way!

**kiwi_jono** · 12-20-2009, 01:09 PM

I have read a few reports of the K-x battery life being very short in cold weather. But this is with NiMh batteries that have their capacity reduced at lower temperatures. From what I have heard the answer may be to use one shot lithiums for cold temperature shooting.

plillehoj · 12-21-2009, 12:56 AM

I think the minimum operating temperature for the K-x is 32F...that being said, you might still be able to shoot in colder temperatures, but I wouldn't leave it out for too long...

simico · 12-21-2009, 01:52 AM

I had no issues shooting with my K-m in -10 Celsius for 2 hours on last week.
Just use fresh batteries and have a spare battery kit in your pockets to keep them warm.

Brandt · 12-21-2009, 08:54 AM

I just took my K-x to 15 degree weather (for multiple hours) and it responded great! No issues at all other than the fact that I was freezing. Check out my album if you want to see the proof

Enjoy

joodiespost · 12-21-2009, 06:49 PM

Originally posted by Brandt

I just took my K-x to 15 degree weather (for multiple hours) and it responded great! No issues at all other than the fact that I was freezing. Check out my album if you want to see the proof

Enjoy

how would I access your album?

pbo · 12-21-2009, 08:51 PM

Quote:

how would I access your album?

To the left, at user pane, there's a "Photos:Albums", click albums

matiki · 12-21-2009, 08:57 PM

I just got back from a trip to Yellowstone in late October:

Yellowstone 2009 - professor77's Photos

I had my K100d, and temps ranged from 7F to 30F for the first three days (morning lows to afternoon highs).

In the extreme cold I had to switch to alkaline batteries, the lithium AA's didn't work for more than a shot or two. Once it warmed up into the 40's at the end of the trip the lithiums knocked out photos like nobodies business (still show a full charge).

So... the only issue for me was the cold eating my lithium batteries ability to discharge effectively - camera was flawless.

12-20-2009, 10:15 AM	#1
Nomad Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Maine Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 408	Can I shoot in cold weather with a K-X? Hi, I just bought my wife a k-x(white) for Christmas and we live in Maine. Can she safely shoot with the K-X in cold weather (20 F)? I will be doing an "arctic plunge" on New Years Day at the local beach and it would make a great op but I don't want her to trash her new baby in the first week. She is new to the digi world and you will all meet her soon when she opens her new baby and starts an account here!! Thanks in advance for this question and any other helpful hints for someone coming over to DSLR from the film (35 and med format) world!!

12-20-2009, 01:09 PM	#4
kiwi_jono Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Christchurch, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,437	Batteries I have read a few reports of the K-x battery life being very short in cold weather. But this is with NiMh batteries that have their capacity reduced at lower temperatures. From what I have heard the answer may be to use one shot lithiums for cold temperature shooting.

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12-20-2009, 11:09 AM	#2
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,685	Although it's not specifically weather sealed or guaranteed for any particular conditions, I've had no problems with other non-sealed Pentax DSLR's in those kind of temperatures.

12-20-2009, 11:25 AM	#3
johnmflores Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Somerville, NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,361	I had a non weather-sealed Nikon D70 in temperatures as low as -40 and it worked fine. I just stuffed it in my jacket from time to time to keep it from freezing up. Be sure to post photos of the "Arctic Plunge." Sounds fun, in a masochistic kind of way!

12-21-2009, 12:56 AM	#5
plillehoj New Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 9	I think the minimum operating temperature for the K-x is 32F...that being said, you might still be able to shoot in colder temperatures, but I wouldn't leave it out for too long...

12-21-2009, 01:52 AM	#6
simico Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Budapest Posts: 821	I had no issues shooting with my K-m in -10 Celsius for 2 hours on last week. Just use fresh batteries and have a spare battery kit in your pockets to keep them warm.

12-21-2009, 08:54 AM	#7
Brandt New Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Ohio Photos: Albums Posts: 9	I just took my K-x to 15 degree weather (for multiple hours) and it responded great! No issues at all other than the fact that I was freezing. Check out my album if you want to see the proof Enjoy

12-21-2009, 06:49 PM	#8
joodiespost Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 336	Originally posted by Brandt I just took my K-x to 15 degree weather (for multiple hours) and it responded great! No issues at all other than the fact that I was freezing. Check out my album if you want to see the proof Enjoy how would I access your album?

12-21-2009, 08:51 PM	#9
pbo Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 891	Quote: how would I access your album? To the left, at user pane, there's a "Photos:Albums", click albums

12-21-2009, 08:57 PM	#10
matiki Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Seattle Photos: Albums Posts: 393	I just got back from a trip to Yellowstone in late October: Yellowstone 2009 - professor77's Photos I had my K100d, and temps ranged from 7F to 30F for the first three days (morning lows to afternoon highs). In the extreme cold I had to switch to alkaline batteries, the lithium AA's didn't work for more than a shot or two. Once it warmed up into the 40's at the end of the trip the lithiums knocked out photos like nobodies business (still show a full charge). So... the only issue for me was the cold eating my lithium batteries ability to discharge effectively - camera was flawless.