Avoiding the Cold

[soupy1957]

This really is a general question, and not exclusively a "Medium Format" question, although I DO shoot "Medium Format" film...........

Do you think it advisable when shooting outdoors, that you avoid the colder mornings, when lenses can fog up?

I'm going out today to take some shots of a neighbors old barn, and it's only 33ºF outside. I'm thinking I'll wait til the afternoon, when the temp is supposed to get up to the mid 60's. Make sense?

-Soupy1957

[tomrit]

That is kind of a personal decision. Sometimes the worst weather produces the best images. Kind of hard to photograph a spectacular sunrise if you do not go out until mid-afternoon. On the other hand, maybe sleeping in is better than looking at a sunrise, mostly it is for me.

However, if you are careful about condensation cold is no reason not to shoot. Just bring a ziplock baggy along and pop the camera in it before bringing it indoors again. When the camera has warmed up remove it from the baggy and store it normally. Whatever you decide, have fun.

[Jim Jones]

Tom is right. I've photographed with film cameras almost down to -60 degrees Fahrenheit with few problems. Digital cameras (or at least their batteries) don't tolerate cold as well. The lenses aren't likely to fog up while outside, although the viewfinder certainly can in cold weather.

[soupy1957]

Jim Jones: in MY particular case, I would default to taking the digital in my gear bag, but I'd reach for he Hassy first.

Tomrit: I might have defaulted to the plastic bag BEFORE I went outside, (poking a hole in one end for the lens to pop thru, which would result in the same issue I would suppose) and uncovering when I came in. Good point about shooting a sunrise!

-Soupy1957

[tomrit]

Originally Posted by soupy1957

Tomrit: I might have defaulted to the plastic bag BEFORE I went outside, (poking a hole in one end for the lens to pop thru, which would result in the same issue I would suppose) and uncovering when I came in. Good point about shooting a sunrise!

The thing you are wanting is to keep the moisture in the warm air from condensing on the cold camera. That is why you put the camera in the sealed bag before going inside. When you do it that way the moisture condenses on the plastic bag instead of inside your expensive camera.

A lot of us have used plastic bags with a hole in it as a rain cover for our cameras, but such does not help with condensation.

[soupy1957]

"thanks" tomrit

-Soupy1957

[Mike_e]

Here you go..

Amazon.com: Nikon 8073 Fog Eliminator- 3 Pack: Peter Pan Singers & Orchestra: Camera & Photo

Amazon.com: Nikon 8073 Fog Eliminator- 3 Pack: Peter Pan Singers & Orchestra: Camera & Photo
Amazon.com: Nikon 8073 Fog Eliminator- 3 Pack: Peter Pan Singers & Orchestra: Camera & Photo

[soupy1957]

MIke_e: looks like a good suggestion. Thanks,

-Soupy1957