Dangers of shooting in FREEZING temps!?

Let me know if this is in the wrong section.

I'm in Michigan and it's been well below 30°F quite frequently. What are the dangers to my equipment when shooting in below-freezing temps? I'm sure things probably begin to expand/contract at different temps. I mostly use my SL1 and Sigma 17-50 2.8 (if any of that makes a difference) and sometimes my EOS M.

Have any of you personally experienced issues with your gear or know of any general issues with temps for any gear? I'll shoot in ANY temps, but I don't want to put my gear at risk. I will also be grabbing a 7D soon. Does that handle temps any better or differently?

Also, any general advice for shooting in these conditions?
I've done some research but I would like to know from your personal experiences.


Thanks in advance!

I can't speak to the EOS M but I use my DSLRs and EM-1 in temperatures far, far colder than 30f without issue. Did that with the 7D for years too. The only precaution I ever took was to avoid condensation when coming into a warm, humid environment from a cold, dry one. I used several methods over the years but the easiest was to put my gear in a close fitting, sealed plastic bag before bringing the camera inside. This limits the amount of moisture that condense on the camera. This being said I don't even bother with the process at 30f because the condensation is quite superficial and temporary. I start worrying about it when temps dip to around 15f. Again, never had an issue.

nqjudo wrote in post #17426876
I can't speak to the EOS M but I use my DSLRs and EM-1 in temperatures far, far colder than 30f without issue. Did that with the 7D for years too. The only precaution I ever took was to avoid condensation when coming into a warm, humid environment from a cold, dry one. I used several methods over the years but the easiest was to put my gear in a close fitting, sealed plastic bag before bringing the camera inside. This limits the amount of moisture that condense on the camera. This being said I don't even bother with the process at 30f because the condensation is quite superficial and temporary. I start worrying about it when temps dip to around 15f. Again, never had an issue.

Thanks! I was wondering about the cold to warm transition. I will probably start keeping a large ziplock in my bag. Do you keep it in the bag when going from warm to cold too?

BlakeC wrote in post #17426884
Thanks! I was wondering about the cold to warm transition. I will probably start keeping a large ziplock in my bag. Do you keep it in the bag when going from warm to cold too?

I've never given it much thought so the answer is no. Usually just walk out the door without issue. The only thing I try to avoid when temps dip below 5f is exhaling when I bring the camera to my face. Your breath can condense on the viewfinder completely obscuring your view. This happens at warmer temperatures too but it doesn't hang around as long

I have never had any issues at all in extreme cold. No gear issues, that is. But when looking thru the viewfinder for extended periods of time, the tears that my eyes produce freeze. My eye froze half-shut one time while photographing pheasants....wasn't a big deal, really, as I just took my glove off, pressed my warm hand over my eye for a minute, and it thawed out. It was -6°F, which doesn't seem very cold, actually. But the gear never struggles. Just don't go from cold to warm quickly.....I wrap a heavy coat around my gear when bringing it in from the cold. I leave it in the coat for at least a few hours, just to keep it from warming up too quickly. Going from warm to cold is no problem, of course.

A lot of my best photos are taken when the temp is between 10 and 25F; never had a problem. The plastic bag suggestion is a good one. I've always done that with my Canon AE-1 film camera, and it's still in great shape after almost 40 years and lots of cold-weather use.

I've never had a problem either, but with electronic cameras these days, it's a good idea to have at least one spare battery nice & warm in my pocket. And of course, also being from Michigan, I always try to wear long johns under my TuTu. ; )

Tom Reichner wrote in post #17426907
But when looking thru the viewfinder for extended periods of time, the tears that my eyes produce freeze. My eye froze half-shut one time while photographing pheasants....

LOL I was worried that only happened to me! Stings like crazy doesn't it.

Like the others have said, no serious issues. Keep the spare batteries in a warm(er) place.

I keep an L-bracket on my camera and its always the first thing that gets frost on it if I breathe on it.

Peoria Man wrote in post #17426954
Keep the spare batteries in a warm(er) place.

Probably the most important advice. Battery performance drops with temperature. See also:
http://batteryuniversi​ty.com …high_and_low_te​mperatures

This is good to hear! Most of the days worth shooting are in the single digits! I don't like missing out on a good shot. My Akita also LOVES subzero temps and I like to take him with!

Seems like condensation and battery life have already been covered. I think those are the only two big ones to watch out for. But what do I know, I live in Florida


Also: If you drop important things in deep snow, you'll never find them again. I guess that's not specific to photography, though.

Posting not to add, but to reinforce....

I have been shooting regularly these past three weeks, in Northern Vermont, with temperatures as high as 20 degrees and as low as -17 (before wind chill). There are only three things that are problematic in cold-weather shooting:

1) Batteries can deplete faster. I notice this more from my flash and iPhone than the camera body.

2) Moving from warm to drastic cold environments, quickly, can cause condensation to form. To combat this, I try to keep my gear in the bag(s) for a good 10-20 minutes before using them. It helps if you're driving to a location and can open a window before arrival. When I hike from my front door, I just don't plan to shoot anything directly in front of the house. If you do get condensation it is a real pain to take care of in the field. I find it isn't worth even messing with that piece of equipment until it has had a night to dry in the house. Unfortunately, I have too much experience with this from ski goggles. Fortunately, I have only had this happen with a non weather-sealed plastic lens from Russia. Non of my Canon equipment ever exhibited any condensation issues.

3) It is friggin' cold. Layer up for standing around. The most common mistake I've seen fellow photographers make is not to wear warm-enough socks/shoes. They over-bundle shirts, sweaters, jackets, etc, but can't stay out long because their toes are too cold.

I was just thinking the cold might cause the lens barrel or something to contract too much or something like that. That and hot to extremely cold, or vice versa, might cause glass to crack.

Poindexter wrote in post #17427024
Posting not to add, but to reinforce....
3) It is friggin' cold. Layer up for standing around. The most common mistake I've seen fellow photographers make is not to wear warm-enough socks/shoes. They over-bundle shirts, sweaters, jackets, etc, but can't stay out long because their toes are too cold.

I usually dress too warm! But since I bring my dog with me, I have him wear a trail pack to carry our water and snack, and if I get too warm I take a layer of Under Armor off and throw it in his pack! I wish I could have him carry my gear too but he smacks that pack into so many trees itd be suicide! lol

I'll confirm what everyone has said.

I frequently shoot on ski mountains in the winter during single digit days, before the wind chill. Condensation is never a problem for me when going from outside to inside. The warm air in the building is the same dry air from outside with the temperature increased, they both have the same moisture level. Think about it, when was the last time you went inside during the winter and said to yourself, "Wow it's really humid in here?" Unless the warm building you're in is using a humidifier to increase the moisture in the air, the only condensation you'll have to worry about is a result of you breathing on the camera as you take photos.

The two bigger problems you need to worry about when shooting in cold temps are battery life and exposure/frostbite.