How does the 5DII fare in the cold / snow?

I'm going on a trip into the Seirra Nevada mountains. Current NWS forecast is quite cold. 17 degrees high / low, and snow extremely likely.

How does the 5DII do in conditions like this? I'll be snow camping in tents. Recently I had the 5DII with me on a snowy day and it actually got a fair amount of snow on it and survived in the 30-35 degree range for about 5 hours or so. It's ability for me is untested in such cold conditions for so long. It's been out for short spurts in the teens with no problems.

I plan on taking:

5DII
24-105L which will not ever leave the camera body
3 CF cards
3 batteries
intervalometer, tripod
Lowepro Toploader AW case (camera will only leave this case to take pictures)
Stash of bandanas to wipe away moisture when necessary

If the 5D has problems, what about the 40d. I have one of those as well.
I'm leaving in a couple days.

-K

I live near Canada, continuosly shoot outside at temps around 20F. The 5D doenst even winch. Very reliable for me.

Took it to a trip to china, temps were 0 to 20F, again, no problems. Battery life is a bit shorter, but the camera performs.

It will perform fine. Just be careful about warming the camera up. Keep spare batteries in your pockets since the cold DOES effect your batteries =)

themadman wrote in post #9717000
It will perform fine. Just be careful about warming the camera up. Keep spare batteries in your pockets since the cold DOES effect your batteries =)

Warmup would be provided when we got back to warm buses for the return trip. In which case I should leave it in the camera bag and let it warm up gradually yes?

Also, should I go out and get some silica gel packets to keep in the camera bag?

-K

If you get any moisture on it, make sure you dry it up well until you turn it back on the next time out. Battery life does suffer in the cold, as eluded to already.

No worries! http://www.youtube.com​/watch?v=kmPp_eRWmaI

kurt765 wrote in post #9717019
Warmup would be provided when we got back to warm buses for the return trip. In which case I should leave it in the camera bag and let it warm up gradually yes?

Also, should I go out and get some silica gel packets to keep in the camera bag?

-K

Just leave it in the bag for a few hours. Unless the bag is completely sealed against air, silica gels will be of little value.

I was out last weekend for about an hour at around the temps you are mentioning and it was quite windy also. No problems with my 5DII and I have done the same with previous cameras 40D/5D.

This guy took a 5D MkII, a 7D, and a 1DS MkIII and used all 3 in rain and snow on South Georgia Island in the Antarctic. All 3 came through just fine and he took over 10,000 images with the 3 cams.

Here's the article:

http://canonfieldrevie​ws.com/7d-1-weather-sealing/

Remember: It takes an L series lens with a filter to complete the moisture sealing.

I've lived in a tent for 5 days with mine, with temps below zero fahrenheit. No issues.

I shoot outside in the cold routinely with my 5D2 in the Chicago area and for extended periods including snow. I've never had a problem.

Besides the battery life shortening, I dont think youll have a problem. Ive shot in really cold temps with mine with no problems. Only thing to look out for is to try not to go from cold to hot or hot to cold really fast. If you do try leaving it in its case so it will change temps slower.

It was -5 when I shot this:

I was thinking that I might, if battery life becomes a problem, keep a spare battery in a pocket with one of those hand warmer packs to keep it warm. Any concern with putting a warm battery into a freezing cold camera?
-K

kurt765 wrote in post #9719865
I was thinking that I might, if battery life becomes a problem, keep a spare battery in a pocket with one of those hand warmer packs to keep it warm. Any concern with putting a warm battery into a freezing cold camera?
-K

I'm no expert, but I think this is trouble. The battery will keep just fine in a pocket in your coat, so it will probably be close to room temperature. I would think one of those hand warmers would be too warm, possibly creating a condensation problem when you put it in your cold cam.

I shot at -30F with an xs for 5 hours with no issues. the 5DII should be tougher than that.