Shooting sub zero

I will spend Christmas in east Europe where temperatures can drop to minus 20 C.
Where I was hoping to photograph birds etc.
My camera manual states the camera's operating temperature range is 0 to 45 deg C.
Can some one please advise me if I will encounter problems using my camera sub zero temperatures. Are there any precautions that I can take
Thanks

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

i wouldn't mind taking the 7d, so the 1d should be just as good. just remember the usual precautions, esp. when going back into warm, humid areas, to prevent condensation. and remember cold batteries don't play too long sometimes.

John, it should be no issues with the temparature, only battery capacity will decrese to about 50-70%.
The most critical point is when you back to warm indoor. Cold camera will cover with water drops. So if you are still outdoor remove memory card (if you want to upload pics to computer) and put the camera (with lens) into sealed plastic bag than camera is ready to be moved indoor safely. Keep the camera inside the bag for about 2 hours when its temparature will be the same as indoor air.

Thanks guys for your quick response and good advise. After posting my question I did a search here and found several recommendations in line with yours.

I wonder why Canon give the cameras operating temperatures from O-45 deg.C. only, maybe for warranty reasons.

Cameras/lenses use lubricants. At some point, they cease to work as designed. In extreme cold they get thicker with various consequences to the parts/assemblies they were designed to protect.

I wouldn't expect a full fps rate either.

It is surprising how well they work in cold weather with the only problem being battery life.

I just returned from Siberia with tempts down to -30 the only problem I had was ice began to form on the lens, and the photographer (me) just did not handle being out in the cold very well. 99% of my shots were taken indoors.

But the few hours we spent outside - the camera worked great and the battery lasted for the entire time - I don't know what the wind chill was but the temp was - 30 that day. - good shooting

The 7D manual states that tracking response is slower in low temperatures. I'd guess that applies to 1D too.

I live in Sweden. I shoot for hours outside with my 50d and bring it inside without worrying about condensation. Basically dont worry, when the flash starts to fire randomly then you can start worrying. (Happened the other day).

I will be shooting some demonstrations this saturday with my 50d and I won't even bother thinking about the temperature. Aslong as you don't put in the freezer it should be ok.

I go outdoor all year around. Winter is no exclusion. The trick is to keep camera inside of winter jacket (I have slightly bigger size) as long as you are not using it.

bohdank wrote in post #11449436
Cameras/lenses use lubricants. At some point, they cease to work as designed. In extreme cold they get thicker with various consequences to the parts/assemblies they were designed to protect.

I was taking a lot of pictures around Old Port last winter. Including mulitiple long exposure shots with camera on tripod. Not a problem.


I’m more worried for summer shots, because lens is getting very hot after hour or so on the sun.

kf095 wrote in post #11452065
I go outdoor all year around. Winter is no exclusion. The trick is to keep camera inside of winter jacket (I have slightly bigger size) as long as you are not using it.

I was taking a lot of pictures around Old Port last winter. Including mulitiple long exposure shots with camera on tripod. Not a problem.


I’m more worried for summer shots, because lens is getting very hot after hour or so on the sun.

Thats why I use a white one!

The only real problem is going from cold to warm. Put your camera in a bag so it can slowly warm up. If you go naked lens/camera from cold to warm, you could get some condensation issues.

Bang Bang Boy wrote in post #11451961
Aslong as you don't put in the freezer it should be ok.

my freezer is -18°C. right now it is -5°C here in germany, temperatures dropping. i would imagine that is not even considered cold in sweden. so what exactly do you mean by "freezer"? we are talking about temperatures between -10°C and -30°C, or even below that.

and about keeping the camera under the jacket: the idea is not bad, just be careful about condensation from sweat. i know that this wouldn't be an option for me when skiing, cos i go from shooting one/two/three hours at -5°C to being soaked in sweat in like three to five minutes, the camera can't keep up with that. not sure if it would necessarily harm the cam, then again i don't have any intentions to find out.

All I could think of when I read the thread title was: MORTAL KOMBAT!!!!!, then the theme song started playing in my head.

Anyways, I would just mainly worry about battery life as long as there's no precipitation or other wet environmental hazards like ocean spray (seals on the camera and lenses may shrink in the cold and no be as effective). Other than that maybe some exaggerated shutter slap depending on the settings.