Cold Gear!!

[garrentee]

I always take my gear with me everywhere I go...when I go to work sometimes I leave it in the car in cold weather(15-30 deg F). Is that bad for the camera or is that a myth?

Thanks
Garren

[peterst6906]

The cold temperatures themselves are not bad for the camera, it has more to do with rapid changes in temperature and the potential that creates for moisture to condense out of the air.

If you take a cold camera into a warm environment without protecting it (eg. placing it in a plastic bag while it warms up), the cold camera will cool the air that is immediately around it. Cold air can't hold as much moisture as warmer air, so the excess moisture may condense on and potentially in your camera.

There is also a potential for the reverse situation to also lead to condensation inside the camera (ie. taking a warm camera into a cold environment), but this is much more of a minor risk.

Cold batteries don't perform as well as warmer batteries either, but that is alo a minor issue (unless you only have 1 battery).

Regards,

Peter

[Alfred D.]

The rule of thumb I use: if you wouldn't be out there without a coat, then don't leave your camera without one either.

If I wear a coat I preferably keep the camera inside it, until I actually start shooting. Finished shooting? Then I stick it back inside my coat. I used that m.o. in Antarctica too and never had camera problems, and only marginally less battery capacity. About 20% less, I would guess. Freshly charged spares in the pocket solved that, of course.

[KerryG]

We did an article on this a while back:

L7Foto.com » Blog Archive » DSLR Myths – Cold Weather is Bad for Your DLSR

[garrentee]

Thanks guys!!!