20D in the cold...

[aikidoforever]

Hello all,

Just wondering if anyone has any winter camping experience with Digital SLRs and equipement. I've done some winter camping in the past with my 35mm without any problems. My camera and equipment would stay out in the cold for 8 to 10 hours a day, and we are talking about -10 to -18 C and lower temps at night. I kept the batteries in my pocket when the camera was not in use. I slept in a hot tent so I made sure all equipment was packed tight before entering and never opened the bag until it had warmed up sufficiently.

I'm a little concerned with the 20D. It being digital, I'm wondering if I will have problems taking the same precautions as used with my 35mm. This year I might not be in a hot tent so my equipment would be in the cold for most of the time, other than being tucked next to my sleeping bag at night. Any helpful input would be appreciated.

Thanks to all,

Ivan ;-)

[eosster]

Maybe reading this might help with your decision, http://www.fredmiranda.com/A19/ .

[ScottE]

I used my 20D at about -18 C for a couple of days photographing cross country ski races a few weeks ago. Battery life was reduced, but I kept a couple of spare batteries in an inside pocket. I was not out overnight, but I'm sure the camera got as cold as it was going to get. Everything worked great. (OK, my fingers got a little cold. The camera did not have any problems.)

[aikidoforever]

Maybe reading this might help with your decision, http://www.fredmiranda.com/A19/ .

Thanks echo, that was a good read. Very interesting and informative.

Ivan ;-)

[MDJAK]

This past weekend I used my 20d in extremely cold conditions with no adverse effects. On Saturday, I went to a dam with a huge waterfall. The only problem was when the mist froze on the filter of my 17-40.

On Sunday, I took my kids skiing and was standing out on the slopes for about an hour snapping away with my 70-200 F2.8 IS. The camera performed flawlessly, but unfortunately, I did not. All my pictures were way underexposed. My fault.

[RJSorensen]

I have been out & about in the wilds for several hours at a time @ 10-20F and things have worked fine for me and my 20D.

[cmM]

i just took my 20D out a couple night ago for a city akyline shot. I had the 20D on a tripod in reallly cold temperature on the lake shore, and it performed just fine.... when I got home, the magnesiu alloy body was still frozen in the camera bag :)

[robertwgross]

I have a padded holster that I carry my D60 in, and I can sling it on a chest harness or else let it hang from a shoulder strap. So, the camera is bump-protected in it. Then, if it is really cold, I keep at least one spare battery in a warm pocket. I have some of the small chemical hand warmer packets, and I slip one or two into the holster's inner lining to keep the camera from getting excessively cold. The easiest method is to keep the camera between my inner insulation layers and my outer wind shell.

---Bob Gros---

[swatcop169]

It was about -18 here the other night when I was taking shots of the moon. Camera done fine.

[Jim_T]

I used my 10D on a tripod for 30 minutes at -32C ( -25 F ) using a Sigma 15-30 lens.

The camera worked the whole time. The only strange thing that happened was the red focus squares all started lighting dimly despite the fact I only had the center square selected. This was towards the end of the 1/2 hr..

I had to stop shooting when the Sigma lens froze up and wouldn't autofocus :-)

The camera body was so cold, it caused physical pain when I touched it with my bare hands. It suffered no ill effects.

I think the key to cold weather shooting is the battery.. Your idea of keeping the batteries warm is a good one.

[Jon]

The camera body was so cold, it caused physical pain when I touched it with my bare hands. It suffered no ill effects..

Silk gloves.