How To Keep Camera Gear Working In Extreme Cold :: Alaska Winter Photography
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 20 фев 2020
- In today's video I talk about how to keeps camera batteries and cameras working in cold winter temperatures. I also discuss how to handle cold cameras and lenses in winter without condensation.
Hopefully these cold-weather camera tips help you with your winter photography!
____________________
Learn more about Jeff Schultz by visiting www.schultzphoto.com/
Support Jeff's RUclips on Patreon at: www.patreon.com/jeffschultz
Learn what gear Jeff uses at www.schultzphoto.com/jeffs-ge...
Jeff’s photography has afforded him a unique lifestyle to travel throughout Alaska photographing both editorial and corporate assignments as well as stock photography. His award-winning images have been published worldwide in books, magazines, advertisements, brochures, annual reports, websites, retail products and more. Jeff has been the official photographer of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race since 1982.
Jeff continues to do what first drew him to this great state - photograph Alaska landscapes, wildlife & Alaska’s people, and share that experience with others in his photo workshops and tours.
*Purchases made via links above may result in a commission paid to me* 
Кино
The dumbest thing I’ve done (more than once) is blow on my lens after hours of shooting in super cold temps. You would need an ice scraper to continue shooting at that point. Thanks for the great tips Jeff!
Ah ha, you crack me up with the ice scraper thing!
glad you find it helpful
Great tips. I totally agree. I just came back from 2 weeks hike in northern Sweden with daily temp from minus 10 to minus 20 C. My Canon 1Dx survived with no problems.
Battery lasted one week provided I kept it inside the pocket on my chest.
For my condensation is not such a big deal as I havr weather sealed body and lens, but tip with the bag is great.
im from alaska too
love the dry bag / garbage bag idea, never thought of that for condensation
Thanks Jeff for sharing.
Loved this video!!! Thank you so much!
Great tips!
Thanks for these valuable tips
Very useful tips. Thank you!
Some really good tips in this video Jeff, thanks for sharing. Definitely be putting them into practice on the next cold outing.
Excellent advice, thanks a lot Jeff.
Excellent advice. I have been looking for this video for years.
Thank you.
-Will
Excellent content. Much appreciated advice
Great tips! Thank you...
Thank you for the sharing your experience and insight. I live in Canada and about to get into shooting. I am glad to learn from you and feel confident shooting in the coming winter.
great info! Thank you
Great advice and a good reminder of cold weather protocols. I’m in Canada and from December to March it is really cold.
Thanks for the tips 😊
Great video ❄️👍
Thanks great tips
Good stuff! Thanks!!
Nice! Thank you!
Thanks for a very helpful video
my pleasure.
It's the best photography channel I found on RUclips. Fantastic valuable advices... Respect!
THANKS... glad you like it
Thanks for those tips! I live in Québec, Canada and our winter is pretty cold I didn't really know what to do :)
Thanks
Thanks! Clarified a lot.
Great advice my friend! I've recently started winter filming for my bushcraft channel, this was really helpful 😃
great video
Thanks Jeff. Really appreciate your sharing this information. Ive been trying to find out how to manage batteries in cold environments, your video has the answers I needed. (Coming from a Tropical environment for a Alpine adventure I concerned me greatly!) Thank you again.
really, really important information. thank you very much for sharing this.
Glad you like the information please like and subscribe and share it with your friends.
woot woot! Just got a g85! winnipeg winters here we go!
wow very informative
I literally do the same thing, except I also use the hand warmers with a hair tie or rubber band over the battery compartment, and I also have my gloves and a sit pad in the sea to summit dry bag. Then again I’m hiking a long trail, so the bag has a lot of stuff in it.
I have a second gen Sony mirrorless and the shutter better makes the noise it should in the cold. Slow goin. The camera itself makes the batteries cold. Rectifying that issue is something I’m workin on. Upgrading to better insulated camera, maybe it wearing a jacket, less metal etc. I also use reflectix pouch in a sea to summit Ultra-sip 2L bag for insulation and protection. The hand warmers are crucial depending where that bag is. Everything goes in the sleeping bag but the camera. Ditched metal L bracket, and about to make plastic ones instead.
Leaving the camera outside or in a sealed bag was great advice 👍😊
Thanks for that video, we are going to film in -28 Celsius next week in Kautokeino Norway - bought some handwarmer, let's hope we get far.
Thanks for the tip, I’m planning a winter overnight camp/hike. My biggest worry was
My cameras lol
Hi Jeff
This is the first time I've watched one of your video's and it was a very well thought out and informative video!
I take pictures for the local fire department and in Iowa the weather can get cold (maybe not as cold as Alaska) and some of your tips will help!!
I'm curious when you say you leave your cameras outdoors are they weather sealed?
Is a consumer model camera going to take the cold as well as a professional camera body?
Again a great video!
Best of luck in your photography journey!
Duane
they are weather sealed, but that does not matter. I don't leave them where they will get ice or some such. I just leave them outside so they don't get condensation.
Спасибо друг за ваш бесценный опыт!!!
I learn't so much, thank you
I would like a video on what cameras you use
Jeff great tips really helpful and educative. I am travelling to Churchill this winter expected temp around -20. We will be moving in a bus looking for polar bears and as I am told many times you will get out and come inside the bus which could be warmer than outside. Please give a tip as to how to handle this situation. I will have by camera bag as also a long bag for the tele prime. Appreciate your comments.
Glad you like the info…. if you are outside at those temps for 15 minutes or less, you likely won’t need to do anything. But if you are outside long enough for the cameras/lens to get very cold, it will be best to follow the instructions in the video.. put a plastic bag and warm it up slowly. The idea is you just don’t want to have an extremely cold camera/lens go into a real hot area. so some will depend on how warm it is in the bus vs. outside. Sometimes, even putting the camera on the floor of the bus (where it’s colder) then it may not condensate.
Hope that helps.
Hi Jeff I have a question about bringing your camera in from the cold. Do you leave the lens attached to the camera when putting it in a plastic bag? Or separate the 2 & put them in their own separate bag?
Great advice, thank you. Does the battery advice work with AA batteries, too? My camera takes 4 AA.
📸🎬🎥
How about just adjust to temps inside. I found it works to bring in garage take card out . An let bag adjust to temps slowly for couple hours with blanket over bag. Then bring closer to inside door. When I feel the body has warmed up. Then put in cooler room over night.
yep... that would work
Have you ever used one of those hand warmers that goes inside a glove does that work
Thank you for this info. Quick question though, I've seen other videos of photographers recommending "dew heaters" is that not necessary?
I’ve never used one before but that doesn’t mean it’s not valuable.
Question from a newbie about to buy his first fancy camera: How cold can temperatures be before cameras, lenses and other equipment are harmed by the weather ? Is the harm from cold weather temporary or permanent ? What kinds of cameras and lenses tolerate cold temps the best ?
They honestly won't be harmed by cold temperature at all. The only issue at hand as well the camera work and as long as the batteries warm it will work. The only harm they could come is if you take a cold soak camera and without putting it in a plastic bag first bring it in to a warm area. Then the condensation could go inside the lens or camera and indeed the harm there could be permanent but likely a hairdryer blowing on the camera or lens for a few hours would fix that as well. Just don't bring a Cold camera into a warm environment without putting into a plastic bag first and leave it in the plastic bag until the camera completely warms up which could be hours and hours
How cold is cold. Are you speaking below 32F?
What to do, when go with the camera from warm inside the house to outside the house at -20 degrees? we will go next month to russia and filming some places. Your tipps from cold to warm place are very helpfull. thanks from Germany
You dont' need to do anyhing when going from warm to cold. Nothing happens. all good. just coming in frm cold to warm
A really good video. One question, when I go inside from the cold, do I have to put the flat round lens cap on the lens before putting the camera in the zipper bag?
glad you like the video... no you don'tneed to put the lens cap on.
Really good tips here man! I was wondering if there's any tips for using film cameras in sub zero temperatures?? Or is that almost a lost cause as the chemicals in the film may not work properly?? I don't know.... I guess digital is king in the cold!!
I like to use mechanical film cameras in the cold, so no worry about batteries!
Thank you, Jeff! I am just beggining with photography and your video helped me alot since I plan to take a lot of photos in the cold this winter. I want to buy an entry level Canon T7i (800D). My concern is that it has no weather sealing. Will it be dangerous to use such a camera in the cold?
did you find any answer to your question?
@@courageouswomenofgodmindset yes. There is no danger în using The camera in cold weather, just make sure to put it în a sealed plastic bag when you go inside or inside the camera bag. Just make sure not to open the bag for a few hours. The warm temperature will cause the cold camera to produce moisture on its surface and can damage the camera. Also it is mandatory to remove the battery and memory card before you seal your camera. If you use a non weatherproof camera when it snows, you should also consider buying a weather proof hood/casing. I actually think it is vital. I use the cheapest "casing" which is a plastic bag with a hole for the lens. It helps a lot. If the snow melts and it gets into your camera, it can damage it. If by any chance you still get some moisture inside your camera, dry it with a blowdrier after the camera warms up completely to room temperature. This should help you. Have a wonderful Day!
Jeff, thank u for this most useful vid.
i live in a hot place, but in winter it might be a bit cold. lately shot at -2 Celsius in pre down relatively dry high desert air. nikon d850, with fresh warm original battery, back screen seems to freeze a bit and some multiple shots functions did not react. maybe its a current issue, new cams take lots of energy. did u had any alike problems as well? and do u think there's a difference between mirror to mirrorless in cold?
No, I've not had any probllems wiht the LCDscreen . not sure what that could be
thanks for the advice. One question, kind of a silly one, but i just want to be sure: Can i use a zip lock bag aswell?
Yes, you can. Throw in some silica pouches in it as well.
Great video Jeff, it helped to smuch, i live in North BC, Canada and last year it got to -40 celcius and i've been really worried about taking my camera outside this winter even in -10. But im not seeing the benefit of having the bag over the camea when i bring it inside. What purpose is the bag serving? Thank you!
If you dont put the bag over the camera, the camera will become covered inside and out with condensation (moisture) which is bad for it.
Bringing a cold camera into a warm enviromnemnt will make condensation on it. BAD.
Thanks Jeff for some great tips. Wanted to ask how Canon 5D MIV holds up in the snow. Do you have to use any extra protective gear or its weatherproofing is good enough to withstand it? Cheers!
Well so sorry I did not see this earlier. Any camera holds up fine in the snow as long as it's weather sealed. But in particular the 5D Mark four I've never had a problem with.
@@JeffSchultzAlaskaPhotography No worries. That's good to hear. Appreciate you getting back. Cheers!
I don’t know if this is too late but i just moved to Fairbanks Alaska and I’m wondering 1. Is it fine to bring a warm camera into the cold and 2. How cold does it have to be to do these things, I heard you don’t have to take measures like this unless it’s below 32 but would like your take on it if possible
Thanks for asking you questions. 1. Yes it is no problem to take a warm camera into the cold. The only time you have to be concerned as when you're going from a cold environment to a warm environment and there's a potential for condensation. 2. The exact temperature I'm not sure. But likely it's around 32° maybe a little bit warmer. Anytime you see water vapor condense on your camera as it comes inside to warm temps you should put it in a plastic bag first. --- I've had experiences where it's even warmer than 32° but it's been out for so long that it gets what's called "cold soaked ". And I still need a plastic bag. The key is if you take it inside and you'll see that there's water vapor starting to condense immediately go back outside and wait a little bit for the water vapor to disappear. And then put a plastic bag and bring it inside. jeff
I have a Sony 70200gm lens that acts wierd when it is about 50degF. Temps above that, it is perfect. I think the grease or contacts inside it get weird at cold temps. Have you ever seen anything with your telephoto zoom lens act up with autofocus at cold temps. Could one of my linear motors be defective that only likes cool to warm weather? I have mounted lens on three Sony bodies and the lens does the same thing, no f-number and no autofocusing at all.
I have seen lenses act up where there's no F number in a lot of focusing but it's always been a matter of just cleaning the contacts and remount in the lens. I should Canon, so I'm not sure about Sony. I don't think I am equipped to answer, or know the answer to the questions. Certainly send it back to Sony and ask them to run their tests.
I'm going to northern Alaska to photograph the northern lights in 2 weeks. I live in Phoenix, Arizona... pray for me. But seriously, I'm taking notes, any other things I should know about shooting up there in extreme cold? Would a lens warmer be warm enough for a few hours in -10 to -20?
no need for a lens warmer AT ALL. cameras and lenses work fine in the cold. just keep you and your batteries warm.
Hello! I have a Canon R camera and will be taking it to -5 to -10°C weather in Japan soon. Will I need extra weather proofing or anything for the camera and lens?
No you should just pay attention to putting the cameras in the plastic bags first as shown on video..
Any tips for how to make sure my dash cam/reverse cam in my car is safe during the winter? I just installed a rearview mirror dual dashcam on my car, but it gets below 0 pretty often where I am during the winter months.
Sorry. I have ZERO experience with that. I’m a still Photographer.
I try to find a camera bag for winter on amazon but no luck :o(( Richard
i have one of the loweprpo shoulder bags for my cameras ... is that air proof enough to put my camera inside it before i go indoors to avoid condensation?
I’m not sure what a Lowe pro shoulder bag is. But if you can get air inside it no it is not air proof enough
So my camera at winter nights, when I take a photo , half the image looks burned
Hi Jeff - is it worth to get one of those camera parkas (insulated ) and a lens warmer for shooting for long minutes at aurora lights? talking about -40F or so near Yellowknife (CN). Thanks. Already got the large ziploc bags, chemical warmers and good quality desiccants :)
Phillip - i’ve never used one of those so I don’t know. But I would say no. As long as you have enough batteries to change out as they die and you check your lens for frost on it regularly and should have no problems. I’ve shot for hours in low temperatures like that and everything‘s fine. The only reason you might want to consider that is if you weren’t going to be around and you have the camera to shoot unattended for a long period of time. Which is really not recommended under any circumstances
@@JeffSchultzAlaskaPhotography Thanks Jeff - I will do long exposures mostly at 30 seconds depending if there the stars are very visible under the northern lights...but I am thinking about time-lapse, so might not be a bad idea after all. My camera is a mirrorless, therefore fully dependent on the electronics, and that's why I was considering the parka in order to keep the two lcd functioning and avoid the EFV as much as possible. Do appreciate your prompt reply
Are you against the use of camera/lens warmers? Or do they not work (or cause more detriment) to your camera in low 20 degrees to minus temperatures?? Thanks
I’m just not a fan of them because it’s more stuff to deal with. All you need is warm batteries. Your camera does not need to be warm at all. Simple is better for me. I’m not against it. If it works for you go for it.
hello, I was just curious, how long does the camera need to be outside in very cold temperatures before I need to worry about bagging it up? If I hop out of my car for 10 minutes to snap some shots, is the cold enough by then that the condensation will be dangerous?
how long it can be outside will depend on how cold it is outside. But 10 minutes is not long enough at most any temperature to need to put it in a bag. - here is how to tell when you need to put it in the bag-Any time you do notice though that it’s going from cold to warm air and you see condensation form on the lens element then you know it should be in a plastic bag.
I've been trying to run GoPro they die within 5 minutes up here
I am just confused if the cameras are wet- and they are put in the plastic bag, how do they not get condensed in a plastic bag? Wouldnt it make them worse than drying in open air heat ?
Sorry for the confuston. The cameras are NOT wet. they are just cold. You are correct, you would not want to put wet cameras into a plastic bag and then bring into a warm place. that would be doubly bad.
After 38 years in the police force I retired and I bought a camera kit ( Nikon D7000, 18-55 lens, 55-300 Nikkor lens and finally a 35mm lens. Also bought a nikon 900 flash) because I want to do a relaxing hobby. I leave in the North of the Quebec province and the weather is beetween -20C to minus 40o F or C the same. After a day of shooting I can not leave them outside like you do so you talk about puting the hole backpack in a garbage bag and brig it in. When I do that does the garbage bags has to be tie at the end and how many time it will stay in the bag. Do you add theese little bag that control humidity in or it does not matter? Last question my good man. Where did you get the waterproof bags and do you insert the lens with the camera and the same question do you had those humidity bags to help and how many time they have to stay in those bags? Sorry for all the question but I saw many videos and your video seem to be the best one of all the one a wached. Sorry for my english as you can tell I'm french. Keep up the good work it help a beginner like me. I also subscribe to your youtube chain. Richard
how cold is alaska
how cold you want it to be?
I WANT MINSUT 273 CELCIUS ON PLANET EARTH A ICE AGE WE ALL LOVE COLD AND SNOW SOMETHING MYSTIC ABOUT COLD@@JeffSchultzAlaskaPhotography
Great advice for somebody from a warmer country travelling to Ak. However, I don't quite understand what the purpose is of putting the camera inside a plastic or waterproof bag before bringing it inside. What happens if you don't and just bring it inside without a bag? What is the bag actually doing? Thanks!
It prevents condensation from forming on the camera. I put mine inside a zip lock then in the camera bag before coming inside. Also, I try to keep it somewhere cooler like the garage and warm it up slowly to reduce the risk of condensation more.
Hey Ellie! The Car Doctor is exactly right. Putting my camera in the zip loc bag allows for the camera to maintain some of the cold air from the bag and it slows the warming up process. When people from inside from -40F the camera is often covered in ice and it's easy to be excited and want to click through all your photos and look to see what you've captured. But, the warm air in the room, the warmth from your breath...it's all making your camera warm up very, very quickly and causes condensation. The condensation can destroy your SD card and or elements inside of the camera. So, I always take my SD card out (outside) and put it in a safe zippered pocket. Then I bag the camera (in my camera bag or a zip loc outside) before bringing it in for the night. If I am just running in to warm up quickly and plan to shoot more later...I actually leave it outside because going in and out is hard on your gear.
Just get an olympus