Originally posted by MossyRocks Was out last night in conditions not too dissimilar to what you are expecting with my K-3. Shot the eclipse at -8F (-22C) for about 3 hours and didn't have any problems. I started with a fresh battery and got off 447 shots before I gave it up for the night (can't wait to get home and process them to see what I can pull out). I was also using a non weather sealed older
300mm sigma lens. I put the camera with lens in a large ziplock bag and let it come down to temp for a couple of hours in the unheated garage. When I was done shooting I put the camera and lens back in the ziplock bag before heading in after taking the cards out (I wanted to see the results of my effort). There was still battery charge but the top LCD display was only showing one segment and had been for a while so I didn't run it empty.
This wasn't my first time out shooting in conditions like this and apart from stiffer focusing, slower aperture blades, and dramatically shortened battery life the camera is no worse for wear. Just get one of those 2.5 gallon zip lock bags (or what ever size will hold you camera and largest lens) and use those when going out and heading in. When I am out in conditions like that I am usually shooting the sky so I only really need to focus once and then minor checks and adjustments if conditions change. I also will manually set the aperture using the aperture ring so that those are having to move all the time.
As others have said if you aren't prepared for the cold you will do worse than the camera. I go out in my hunting gear when it gets cold like that and have been out when it is in the -35 range (it really doesn't matter C of F at that point) and do just fine but then that hunting gear would probably keep me alive in Antarctica. I've sat still in a tree at -15F (-25C) all day with a good wind and been perfectly warm in that cold weather gear.
Thanks for this feedback!
When you talk about a Zip Lock Back, you mean just a normal bag yeah? I have one for city use in which I store my camera sometimes. Is your lens mounted on the camera for the "adaptation period"? I suppose it is also better to take the battery out in this process and to keep it warm?
So if I understood well, here is a summary of things that can happen:
- Super fast battery discharge
- Condensation while going out/coming in (To overcome this, put the camera first in a bag for a few <insert amount of time> --> Hours ? With or without the lens mounted? )
- Changes of focus during time if changes of tempeartures during time (Like camera under the sun and then shadow or day/night temperatures)
- Lens disfunctionment (possibly) due to many factors (freezing mechanism etc.)
- Me dying of frostbite.
- Did I forget something ?
Concerning my personal resistance to cold :
I am joining my brother that is working there as a handler for a musher (you know, the dog sledding guys). He's been there for a few months now and he knows the situation way better than I do. He already quickly briefed me on the clothes I should have and he also has some stuff I can borrow.
Also, as I'm not going there as a tourist but also to give a hand, I won't be able to stand all the time behind my camera but I will only check it some time to time. So hopefully no time to freeze while I'm gripped to my camera haha.
I should have some great pictures given the ones he already sent me, I'm super excited about it !
On a diferent matter, it will be the first time that I'm taking the plane with my camera (I'll have it in my hand bag). I heard rumors about X-rays destroying the SD data. Is that true? Should I protect them/take them with me?
Thanks!