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From: clewis@mnetor.UUCP (Chris Lewis)
Newsgroups: net.rec.photo
Subject: Re: Low temp camera operation
Message-ID: <3085@mnetor.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 17-Feb-86 10:21:03 EST
Article-I.D.: mnetor.3085
Posted: Mon Feb 17 10:21:03 1986
Date-Received: Mon, 17-Feb-86 11:33:25 EST
References: <1113@vax2.fluke.UUCP>
Reply-To: clewis@mnetor.UUCP (Chris Lewis)
Distribution: net
Organization: Computer X (CANADA) Ltd., Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Lines: 51
Summary: 

In article <1113@vax2.fluke.UUCP> behemoth@fluke.UUCP (Pat Gallagher) writes:
>I am planning a cold weather photography trip and I am looking for a 
>camera that will operate at about -10 F.  I would also appreciate any
>hints or warnings about camera and film operation at low temperatures.

My T-70 manual implies that Nicad batteries last much longer at lower temps
than other batteries do.  Something like: 

Type	temp	#rolls

alkaline 25C	35
alkaline 0C	3-5
Nicad	25C	30
Nicad	0C	25

Mind you, I'm still on my first pair of alkalines after 70+ rolls and a year
and a half - they still register "full" on battery test - I'll start using 
my Nicads once the alkalines give out.  The manual also mentions keeping the 
batteries warm in your pocket until use.

Perhaps more important is camera freezup and fogging - you'll have to
acclimatize the camera before use.  Rapid warmups and cooldowns will
fog your lenses and probably short out the camera if it is heavily
electronic (I was taking pictures in heavy fog when the newspaper photog
nearby had both his A1's die on him).  I've also had my AE1's slave flash
connector (for the databack) short out in "normal" English weather - the
camera was dead until I unplugged it.

Take Tom's suggestion and use an SLR that is entirely mechanical except
possibly for match-needle metering.  Even if the electronics die, the
camera will still fire.

I've done a fair bit of cold weather shooting and don't think that
film handling will be much of a problem - however, avoid auto[re]winders.
Some rewinders will occasionally eat film even at normal temps, at low 
temps you're just asking for trouble.  Make sure that the film has had
a chance to get to the same temperature - eg: from freezer to outdoors
without opening.

Obviously, don't bury your camera in the snow...  Use ziplocks to keep it 
dry but make sure that the air in the bag is the same temp as outside.  Some
silica gel in the bag wouldn't hurt either.  Avoid breathing on the camera
or handling with warm hands.

Maybe one of the waterproof cameras would be good, but you'll still
have to acclimatize the camera otherwise the lens will fog when you
want to shoot.
-- 
Chris Lewis,
UUCP: {allegra, linus, ihnp4}!utzoo!mnetor!clewis
BELL: (416)-475-8980 ext. 321