How to travel with your kit in hot climates with a car... I need help.

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I'm looking to purchase a Pelican case for my gear. I will be doing some travelling for a few months from March. I will encounter very hot weather (up to 100 degrees farenheit). I will mostly be travelling in my old Volvo. I was planning on using the boot as a kind of "storage room". I have a few questions.

1. From my research it's a no no to leave the camera in the boot of a car on a hot day even in a Pelican case. Are there any exceptions to this rule? What temperature range is safe?

2. What parts of my kit need to be kept cool? I assume the camera body and batteries, DP6 Monitor and batteries? Will my Nikkor lenses be okay if they get really hot or do I need to protect them too?

Any help/comments much appreciated.
 
Dunno the exact answer to your question, but check out Nalpak.com unless you need very specific foam cuts etc. Compared to here in Denmark I saved 200 dollars by buying a 1610 at them instead, and that's including tax, customs and delivery.
 
legrevedotcom said:
Dunno the exact answer to your question, but check out Nalpak.com unless you need very specific foam cuts etc. Compared to here in Denmark I saved 200 dollars by buying a 1610 at them instead, and that's including tax, customs and delivery.
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Thanks for that. I wont be getting foam as I'll go with dividers. I guess foam might be more insulating though? I can't imagine you have to worry about heat in Denmark!

I wonder if the FS100 is more fragile than other cameras when it comes to temperature? Certainly doesn't seem the most robust of cameras.

 
Well, 100 degrees outside is about 190 degrees in a locked car. I wouldn't stray too far without a cooling system for your camera if left unattended. Make sure to park in shade at least.
 
I dont really know about the temp range of the camera, but those specs are typically an OPERATING range. I have never cooked a camera by leaving it in a car (OFF), even in the Mojave desert. As far as the case are concerned, you don't have to worry about the insulating properties of foam making the camera hotter unless the camera is left on and is generating heat.
 
rx8pilot said:
I dont really know about the temp range of the camera, but those specs are typically an OPERATING range. I have never cooked a camera by leaving it in a car (OFF), even in the Mojave desert. As far as the case are concerned, you don't have to worry about the insulating properties of foam making the camera hotter unless the camera is left on and is generating heat.
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Yes you would think that turned off it could get very hot without damage. I might buy a thermometer and keep an eye on it. I imagine for the insides of a Pelican case to get hot would take a while... And I should be able to park in shade most of the time.
 
I live in the Sonoran Desert where summer temperature typically are north of 110 degrees. We continue to use all our cameras right through the summer months. I can't tell you it is ideal conditions but with the exception of the RED ONE we have never had a problem. A few things to remember: never leave it in an unvented car, when shooting in direct sunlight always keep is covered with an umbrella or flag and batteries are not going to last as long. The RED ONE will actually continue to shoot through this excessive heat but you will have to place factory sealed gelled ice packs on the top of the camera. Another trick for a quick cool down is to shake a can of compressed air, turn it upside down and blow on the top of the RED ONE.
 
I shot in Barbados for two years and the temp got high often but never had a problem but never left the camera in the boot/trunk or back. Also shot in Brasil for a couple years and in the north it gets bloody hot but it wasn't the heat that was an issue it was the humidity so dry is much better. I always carry my camera either in its case or out of its case with me because it is usually bearable where ever people can be found.
 
Thanks for the detailed replies everyone! The FS100 is not a big camera so I might just break it down to the body most of the time and carry it with me in a back pack.
 
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