Cold and your camera

[Conk]

I snapped a few shots one morning and the temp was hovering around the zero degree mark. When I loaded the images to my puter later that day, I noticed the right side of the images faded to black. I'm thinking condensation or simply it was too cold for the censor. I'd like to think that it would be fine if I let the camera get cold gradually to avoid fog on the censor but, is it still not a very good idea to be using the DRebel in such cold temps?

Also, my apologies. A similar thread was started on the same subject.

[cosiecki]

I have used my DRebel for extended periods when it was 20 below or colder. I don't know what the issue was with your camera, but the only issue I ever had with the cold was short battery life. Also, its not rapid cooling that fogs the camera. Its when you bring a cold camera into a warm, moist environment. The bad part isn't fog on the lens though, its that there is condensation IN the camera. Its best to leave it off until it gets warm. The fog on the lens will be atmosperic moisture, so it shouldn't have impurities that would leave a haze after it evaporates. To anyone who might flame me about that lens fogging, notice I said shouldn't :)
I guess what I'm trying to get at is... Take you camera out when its cold. There are lots of people who don't so you will get some unique photos.

-Chris

[Conk]

Here is a photo that shows the darkness on the right. All 4 images came out this way. The camera was only in the cold for about 2 minutes.

[retro]

My DRebel has never done that and I often shoot in -15 celcius.

[ChrisN]

I just spent the day outside shooting in about 0 to -5 weather.

My procedure to use the camera was to have the camera and lenses in baggies before I left the house, the put the camera in the trunk (in its softshell camera bag). Got to my destination and assembled the camera in the trunk.
Shot for about 3 hours without any issues (My DReb only has about 900 pics on it.). Reverse the procedure to get home.

Was thinking maybe it is a lazy aperature or something like that being effected by the cold.
Other than that, I am baffled. Check it out when you get it back to room temperature to make sure nothing is gone off. Maybe get'er in for a tune up.

Best of luck.

[phili1]

The baggie idea is a good one but you also have to do it ot the lens.

The sell 2 gallon bags which will fit the Camera and an 8 1/2 inch lens.

If your lens was fogged it would be the whole area not just the right side. That looks like it might have been a shadow of a building or a tree, but only you could tell if that was possable.

[merrrrjig]

what happens when you shoot in intense heat? Like 110 F?

[robertwgross]

I've shot in Death Valley, and I don't see any real problem with the camera as long as I can humanly function. If I were really stupid, I would leave the camera baking inside the car trunk while it is parked at Furnace Creek in July. After that, at a minimum the LCD will be screwy, but it will recover once it cools down to 100 F.

The temperature in Death Valley got to 99 F, and that was the low temperature of the day. One day it was 125 F.

Your camera deserves better treatment than that.

---Bob Gross---

[Conk]

I did try shooting at room te,p when I got home and there were no problems. I guess all I can do is keep it on the back burner until it happens again. If it does.

[blinking8s]

its not the intense heat or cold we are actually talking about during most of these situations, its the condensation or humidity that leads to sudden moisture inside the camera. You dont want to walk in a warm room from -5 Cwith your camera in hand...and you dont want to go from air conditioning to 125 deg F either...placing the camera in a bag allows it to make for a transition between the two.

[ChrisN]

At risk of sounding like captain obvious.

What is the chance that something was acutally covering part of the lens?

For instance. My arsenal for winter weather photography is a pair of fingerless gloves with a mitten flap that I can put over my fingers when I am not shooting. What is the possibility that (if you were in the same scenario) the flap was touching the side of the lens creating that shadow. That has happened to me once.

[smokeyjoe]

I was out this morning (-10) taking shots, with my 10D, and had no problems at all. I use a method that I learned back in my film days. I put the camera inside my parka (between my chest and the coat, still hanging around my neck) about 10 minutes before I know that I'm gonna be going home or into a coffee shop to warm up. This slowly warms up the camera so it doesn't 'fog' up when quickly exposed to a warmer environment.
Joe

[Conk]

Just to show there was nothing on the way of the lens, here are the 4 shots taken intended to be for a pano.