Canon EOS 10D in cold weather

Hi all,
I was wondering about the Canon EOS 10D in cold weather. I am from up North and it can get mighty cold up there. I was wondering who has experience shooting below freezing (32F / 0C) to share. I haven't had a chance to shoot below freezing yet here in the UK. It has been a really mild winter. I have all sorts of good ideas for winter pics for when I get back that way.

Thanks!

Hi There:

I can only speak for the D60, which is what I have. I have used it with no problems, down to -20 C. Batteries do not last as long though. That is where the battery grip really helps for me. Hope that helps!

Keep your spare batteries in your pocket or keep them warm some way. That will make them last a little longer, but theit usable time will be severley shortened in cold cold weather. Other than that, I have had no problems with the D60, I assume the 10D will do just as good or better.

I went for about a 30 minute walk in -35 weather and absolutely no problems until I got back in the vehicle when the lens fogged up for a sort period.

I just got back from Colorado, where I dragged the 10D up and down the slopes, in temps below zero Celsius on every occasion, and below 0 F on a few occasions at the peaks. To add, I got it wet, had condensation on it every time after use, thrashed it in general by taking a couple of pretty good topsy turvies (it was strapped to my back in a Tamrack Velocity 7, which isn't exactly weather or tumble proof). Works better then the day I bought it (or maybe I just learned how to use it by now...) I literally had snow on back of the camera a couple of times, and nary a problem. I'm infinitely impressed. And some may say infinitely not so smart

Ilya

Hi,

I used my 10D for about 1.5 hours in -7 celcius the other day. No problems apart from the lens fogging totally for the first 30 minutes when I came back. Of course I didn't dare to switch on the camera while it was still adjusting to normal temperatures again - who knows what else besides the lens is fogged.

/Johnny

I was shooting at a rally near Darlington just before New Year. Temperatures were +1 at most but the wind-chill was taking it to more like -4 Both my 10D and 1D held up well but the batteries were certainly draining faster. I would suggest extra batteries kept well inside your clothing.

Also, consider the condensation effects when bringing your camera/lenses indoors, or even back to the car, after a shoot in freezing conditions. Keep them away from direct heat and allow them to come up to ambient temperature slowly. The reverse also applies.

Keep the lens changes to a minimum and carry the camera with lens attached in a bag or top-loader rather than hanging around your neck.

I'll make an educated guess based on my experience with cold fingers, that the batteries last about half what they do in warmer climes.

Buy one of those $25 Walmart batteries. I got one and it seems to work well in the cold. I wish it had a cover though.

(Dont put it in the pocket with your keys!!)

-Pete

Cool,
I figured the lense would fog up goping inside as I wear glasses and that always happens when going from shovelling several feet of snow outside to back inside. I never noticed it going outside, though. Weird. I was also wondering if I should get to the Alps again and take some pics up there.

My original 10D battery from "Canon" dies after about 15 minutes in 30-40degree weather. After it warms up, it shows full charge. My Power 2000 battery works fine. Has anyone had this cold weather problem with Canon batteries?
Scott

Those of you with the "lens fogging up" problem, just put the camera (lens included) in a plastic "zip-lock" type bag (not sure if they are called that in England). before you go inside.

The warm air of the interior of the house holds more moisture then the cold air outside. It hits the cold metal, and insta-water. I wouldn't worry about the lens so much, but the camera has a lot of delicate electronics that might not take well to water.


Mike

Just my .02 cents worth.. I just came back from a trip to Colorado and Utah. I used the 10D with IBM and Hitachi microdrives in temperatures as low as -4F with the bulk of the 730 frames being shot around 28F and light snow. There was NO failure of any type whatsoever. I used a work shirt to throw over the body on the tripod when I wasnt actively shooting, to keep the snow off. On the battery issue, in the 28F temp range I was able to fill a Microdrive before needing to recharge the 2 Canon batteries in the BG-ED3. As to fogging, I just drove around with the windows down