Cold Weather & the Af100

A

Andrew J. Allsbury

Well-known member
So I'm up at our cabin in McCall, Idaho were the temperature is currently fluctuating between 15 and -15. I would love to capture some of the beauty up here as well as run the new camera through its paces...BUT with the stern 32 degree operating limit in the manual I'm not sure if that's a good idea. I have always used my cameras in sub freezing temps without issue...but being that I've never owned a Panasonic, anyone have any input?
 
I live in Whitefish, MT. Mine will be arriving in the next few days. I will keep you posted on its cold weather operation. The DVX and HVX were great in the cold from what I remember.
 
Had a few issues with the HMC150 in the cold but the AF100 is a completely different piece of equipment. I'm very excited for this camera!
 
I have shot a lot in 30 below and colder (way colder actually), with many film and video cameras.

The best way to make sure your cam is OK is to keep it warm, especially the batteries.

I never turn the camera off, leaving it on keeps it warm. I use a "Polar Bear" case on the camera with (made by Portabrace, it is a basically down jacket for your camera with spaces for velcroing iron oxide heat packs) with heat packs especially around the battery and the lens.

This is for extreme conditions but it applies to more benign cold as well. Also watch out for condensation moving from cold to warm air.

I will be taking my new AF100 to the top of Mt Washington (the worlds worst weather) soon for some serous torture, both the crew and the cam.
 
I dunno about warnings. Every camera I 've had in the last 25 years was spec'ed down to some temp just below freezing and I've shot with them all at temperatures far colder.... like -15 or 20 deg. F. without ill effects. Test it out for yourself , its the only way you will find out.
 
All that it means is that the CMOS circuitry has been tested out and is guaranteed to operate above 32º. Basically when it gets cold electricity flows faster through the silicon in the chips. And this could jeopardize the std clocking of all events inside the chip. So the chip operation of taking the video signal in and out could fail... But once the camera gets back into a normal temperature then it'll work. I've used the DVX/HPX well at -30ºC and never had a problem during operating, but each camera or each CMOS chip is different. I think I'd be more worried about physical operation of lens or other such things than electrical operation.

CMOS circuitry is made to work way beyond its advertised specs and they add some major margins on this. Basically even if you were not able to record properly or the camera came to fail recording the footage, you'd just have to wait for it to warm up, and you'll be good.
 
I doubt the camera will get damaged. What happens in cold weather is: you lose batteries fast. I killed one brandbew one once when turning a HVX on at -30 degrees celsius. dunno in Fahrenheit, but it was cold and the battery never recovered from having to warm the cam at first.

another problem is the LCD / EVF. the liquid freezes and the image slows down or starts ghosting on it (not the recorded image, but your screen while recording). Not a huge issue, but e.g. when shooting sports it becomes a problem.
 
obonin said:
All that it means is that the CMOS circuitry has been tested out and is guaranteed to operate above 32º. Basically when it gets cold electricity flows faster through the silicon in the chips. And this could jeopardize the std clocking of all events inside the chip. So the chip operation of taking the video signal in and out could fail... But once the camera gets back into a normal temperature then it'll work. I've used the DVX/HPX well at -30ºC and never had a problem during operating, but each camera or each CMOS chip is different. I think I'd be more worried about physical operation of lens or other such things than electrical operation.

CMOS circuitry is made to work way beyond its advertised specs and they add some major margins on this. Basically even if you were not able to record properly or the camera came to fail recording the footage, you'd just have to wait for it to warm up, and you'll be good.
Click to expand...

Yes, CMOS chips are typically designed for the range of -40C to 125C and every chip I have worked on has been this range or MORE (and we are talking about 45+ chips or more over 15 years.) HOWEVER, just because the chip was designed for these speeds doesn't mean they adhered to the timing limitations at this range. Many times, they'll use the chip faster than it was designed and accept it to work at a a smaller temperature range. Not uncommon at all.

That said, the cold persay won't damage the chips and their self-heating will probably keep them in a nominal operating temperature, but it doesn't mean all the digital communications would always work. As others said, I'd be more worried about mechanical issues and condensation. Metals change size due to temperature. Dissimilar metals change at different rates as well. That would be more my concern.
 
Used the HVX200 up at the Iditarod, in conditions down to about -20; other guys took it on the whole trail and used it in conditions down to -60. And the next year they used the HPX170.

The cameras work fine in those temperatures. The HPX170's lens focus ring will get stiff, but the AF100 won't have that problem because it doesn't have a built-in lens (so, obviously, you'd have to check your individual lens for how cold it can work in). Haven't tried an AF100 in those cold temperatures, but I wouldn't hesitate at all to try it, I'm quite confident it will work just fine.
 
It's still cold out. Don't let this happen to you. If your camera is ice cold, don't take it out of the case in your nice warm office/house. Let it warm up slowly. Patience is a virtue.

I'm not saying that is what happened in this case, but it is a possibility. If your wondering if your environment will make the inside of your camera wet take a soda can outside for 3 hours and bring it in the house. See what happens. If it stays dry, your probably ok. If not, then the same thing will happen to your camera.

http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?235645-Water-in-my-camera-WHAT-!-!
 
I film cold all the time, including AK and Alberta (Rockies). What cameras don't like is combination of humidity and cold. DVX100 and HVX200 were tough, but I think HPX170 is not made as well for cold- it froze on Rainier in about 25F (freezing fog). I use EX1 all the time and also no problems. I think as fat as AF100 the problem might arrive from SDHC cards. Particularly avoid Transcend or Lexar as they are sheit in cold.
 
If shooting in cold weather, there are several rules to follow. 11. Acclimatize the camera. That is set it in the cold and let it get chilled before you start using it. 2. The LCD will be the first thing to object on this camera, so take one of those small pocket warmers and rubberband to the back of the LCD. 3. When finished, bring inside and let it warm slowly and dry out.

Lenses are another question, and there it is all over the map.

Best,

Jan
 
One trick you can use is to obtain a large zip lock bag or Dry bag big enough to fit the camera inside and seal. When transitioning from cold-dry to warm-moist put the camera in the bag and seal it while in the cold environment, then bring it into the warm environment. Let the camera warm up in the bag before taking it out into the warm environment. THis will potentially save you lots of time mopping up condensation on camera and lenses.
 
I have not done this with the AF100...yet.

BUT, +1 for the plastic bag trick, I also make sure to keep the lens cap on(for some of you out there, this does not mean while shooting). I also keep batteries warm by keeping them in the inner pocket of my coat. I've used a Polar Mitten(with 170 and 200)...but I have not investigated options for the af100. The nice thing about the polar mitten is that your hand is protected while operating and there are pockets to slide in pocket warmers.
 
Does anyone tried a Polar Mitten on a Panasonic AF100/101? I called a few distributors but no one seems to know a compatible camera cover. If you know which cover fits, please let me know. Thanks!
 
I experienced a few anomalies when shooting below zero Celsius showing some sort of streaking in high contrast. Not all the time but sometimes it happens. This has also been reported by other AF users.
 
30 below!? Iditarod!? I have a shoot in NYC Saturday where they rewrote it to be inside! It will probably be in the 20s. We are such wussess... oh shame :(
 
Streaking in the footage? Or just on the LCD? When we were at the iditarod the LCD definitely got streaky, but the footage was fine. That was HVX's and HPX500's and HPX170's, not AF100s, but I can't imagine why it would be any different...
 
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