Low Temperatures & Digital Cameras

[blip]

I've been doing a lot of night photography lately because I often don't have a chance to take pictures until everyone else is asleep. In fact, I'm often out around 1 or 2 in the morning. The problem is that in Oregon in late February the temperatures are still pretty low. I think that they are usually pretty close to freezing.

Personally I don't mind the cold, but I'm starting to get worried that my A70 might. While it probably can deal with the cold itself, what I'm more worried about is that the rapid transition from cold to room temperature might "shock" the camera or cause condensation to form inside it.

So are my fears justified? If so, can someone recommend a method to gradually warm the camera up?

 

[neeyo]

When you come inside, put your camera in a plastic bag and seal it shut to let it warm up. That way, the moisture in the air cant get in the bag to attack your camera.

 

[blip]

Originally posted by neeyo
When you come inside, put your camera in a plastic bag and seal it shut to let it warm up. That way, the moisture in the air cant get in the bag to attack your camera.

Good call neeyo! I'd forgotten that little trick!

Thanks.

 

[maxelhombre]

Actually, camera sensors do better cold. As you mentioned, it's the moisture that hurts them. Keeping it in a cooler with dessicants when you bring it inside is a good idea.

 

[senoryason]

Whats up fellow Oregonian

 

[Lord Chambers]

Oregon represent!

I don't really understand how condensation would form going from cold to warm though. It's cold and moist outside, then you go inside where it's more warm, meaning water will evaporate more quickly, and drier. How could that result in condensation?

It seems to me that taking it outside when it's cold or moist is what's risky, not bringing it inside, even quickly.

 

[HaRdLiNe]

bringing the cold camera inside, the camera cools the moist air around it and the vapor in the air condensates.

 

[BricRoth]

Same process that causes you glass storm door to condensate when it is opened then closed. I would use the zoom as little as possible in that cold of weather. I would think that is the only moving part to worry about. Shouldn't have to worry about increased noise due to chip temp in the cold outside though.

Bric

 

[blip]

Oregon representing! Where you guys at?

Well I've been using the bag method over the last few nights with no problems. The trick is to get the bag really well sealed and get the air out of it.

 

[Lord Chambers]

Originally posted by HaRdLiNe
bringing the cold camera inside, the camera cools the moist air around it and the vapor in the air condensates.

That makes sense.

Originally posted by blip
Oregon representing! Where you guys at?

I'm in Corvallis.

 

[defcom_1]

Originally posted by blip
Oregon representing! Where you guys at?

Well I've been using the bag method over the last few nights with no problems. The trick is to get the bag really well sealed and get the air out of it.

Actually, your best bet is to put the camera in the bag outside, and then seal it before you enter. The max moisture the air can hold is determined by its temperature, therfore, the air outside has less moisture then inside. When you bring the bag inside, then the air inside the bag will warm up (and therefore the camera as well) but the moisture level in the air around the camera will remain unchanged, so no condensation in the camera. You can then take it out of the bag when it's up to temp.

Now this is all pointless unless you run a humidifier, or your inside location is really well insulated. Lots of outside air gets inside, and the humidity level is not much different, unless you have a couple of people in a well sealed area (think foggy windows on a car). I take my camera outside all the time here (canon s200, magnesium casing, which gets cold!!) and I don't get a drop of condensation because it's just as dry inside as outside...