Winter Cold Shooting

S

sagemaster

Active member
Hi everybody,.. gotta love this forum! I've learned so much already! Thanks to you all for that!

I have a question. I am a new owner of an A1, but am up in Ontario, Canada. Obviously as we are into December now, it is winter. In fact tonight we are in for a snow storm. But I am really itching to do something with my new camera! I don't have any lighting set ups to be shooting indoors, but have never shot anything outside in freezing temperatures. So,.. my question is, what sort of issues will I be facing taking my A1 outdoors in freezing cold, snow (possibly snowing) conditions? How do I keep the batteries from losing charge quickly? How do I keep it from fogging up or condensating? I am really concerned about doing damage to the camera, but would love to get some nice, beautiful snowy images. Anyone done this (or DO this currently) with an A1? Any settings to use? Nice presets for snowy shooting?

Any suggestions for this sort of thing generally?

Thanks to you all in advance!
 
I shot my HVX in -19F temps without any major issues.

The biggest problem was that the LCD screen started to freeze up and became useless. So, I just used the viewfinder after that.
I'm headed to Yellowstone in February where it could easily be much colder.

I carry one of those insulated tubes you see quarterbacks keep their hands in when it's cold.
Inside I put a few hand warmers and that's where I keep my batteries until I need them. It also helps warming my hands as well.
Once you have your camera out in the cold, don't bring it into a warm environment without putting it back in the camera case or sticking it into a plastic garbage bag. That will keep the the camera and lens from fogging up.

You can also use just a plastic garbage bag to shoot in the snow as well. Poke two holes one for the lens and one for the viewfinder and you're good to go.

The actual biggest problem with shooting in the cold is you. Make sure you layer your clothing and have enough gear to keep yourself warm. I was nice and toasty at -19F and stayed out all day long.
 
I've had issues when shooting tape where it freezes up and drops frames, and this was in about -5 to -10. Just try and keep your camera as warm as possible.
 
I know some people wrap hand warmers around their camera to help keep it going.
Portabrace also makes a polar glove that you can put on your camera and insert hot packs as well.
 
Thanks for the info guys! Very helpful and enlightening as always. I am just very concerned about damaging the camera. Far too much of a $$$ investment to take uneccessary risk with,.. for me anyway. I never even thought about the LCD freezing! But after all it is LIQUID crystal. Hmm,.. I assume that once it gets back to room temperature the LCD will operate fine again?? Please tell me thats the case?

Is there any liquid elsewhere in the camera that may freeze? In the lens?

Are things like a Rode NTG-2 susceptible to the cold?
 
Mine was fine after it warmed up.

I know someone here on the board had theirs on much colder conditions and everything was just fine.

The HVX covered the Iditarod in brutal conditions and came through with flying colors.

They had insulated covers for them but they didn't use them because it hindered their use of the camera.

So, I think you'll be just fine.
 
I`ve used A1 in temperatures below -20C/-4F
Used it for shooting a ice hike in 14ms/37mph winds worked well exept where a malamuth came running around really fast A1 losed that scene on the snow - its the only occasion when I had seen the picture falling apart, those green little rectangles you know. I recorded for one hour total but that hike was like 4 hours long and battery stood up extremely well too.

Cheers,
T
 
I used my A1 yesterday in Minnesota during the big snow fall. It was only 19 degrees, but it performed!
 
get one of the rain coats from www.kata-bags.com I have one and it fits my camera, I shoot for TV news here in Portland OR and it rains a lot .. here is the link for the bag you would want
http://www.kata-bags.com/Item.asp?pid=39&perentId=1&ProdLine=1 good luck hope this helps... now I have a heating pad that i lay out in the trunk of my car and turn it to med and put my camera case on it to keep it warm . I have a 110 inverter to run the heating pad. good luck hope to chat sometime Chas.
 
Wow, that's fantastic guys! Thanks again. Definitely a comfort to hear the LCD went back to working like normal. :shocked:

Chaspdx, I actually have a Petrol PRC-S-HDV rain cover (http://www.vistek.ca/details/details.aspx?WebCode=225748&CategoryID=prophotokata) that came with my camera. Very good idea though, it would keep the snow, rain and moisture off it. I could probably also slip a few of those warming packs, or heat pads inside it to keep the camera somewhat warm (warmer anyways).

What about things like the Rode NTG-2? I have a Rycote Softie for it (windscreen). Anyone know what would happen to those in the cold (if anything)?
 
So, does anyone know if the cold adversely affects audio equipment like an external mic (ie: Rode NTG2), or a windscreen/softie? Just trying to get a feel for what I'm facing and cover every angle. Thanks.
 
I used the Rode NTG-2 in the cold, with the rycote softie. It seemed to perform fine during and after, under an umbrella in the snowing weather.
 
Awesome,.. thanks so much for that, Mayodaze! I really appreciate the input. I guess the next thing I will do is get out there and try it!
 
n8ture said:
Once you have your camera out in the cold, don't bring it into a warm environment without putting it back in the camera case or sticking it into a plastic garbage bag. That will keep the the camera and lens from fogging up.
Click to expand...

So...before bringing the camera inside from the cold..you just put the camera into a garbage bag...close the bag up...and bring it in? Should you leave air in it? or seal it?
 
I'd squeeze out as much air as possible and don't open it until you go back outside or the camera has warmed up to room temp.

You can leave it inside its case too when you bring it inside as well. As long as you bring the camera temp up slowly you'll not have to worry about condensation.

I've brought my camera inside from below zero temps and have never had a fogging issues as long as I give the camera a chance to warm up before taking it out of its case, bag or whatever it's in.
 
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