It's getting cold here at last, and while there's no chance of snow here in Oxford, I see there's plenty out there in the rest of the world.

http://www.skiclub.co.uk/skiclub/reports/overview/default.asp

So how about it, anyone got any pictures yet?

How do you keep your equipment working in the cold, any tips?

As sad as this is about to sound, its still warm enough in Wisconsin to get by with a short-sleeved shirt during the day. I think its still in the upper 40s and lower 50's around here, and it doesn't look like its going to get very cold anytime soon.

Well it was warm here until last night...first freeze.
As for tips, the main thing is to keep your batteries warm and your cards. Personally I've never had any problems in the cold, but then in the winter I don't shoot much outdoors unless it's nature/snow shots, and a lot of that I do from my vehicle (I cheat!). There are the occasional mid winter races, but I tend to avoid those unless they are indoors. I have shot a few cold wet, snowy football games but nothing real bad, I just keep a spare battery in my jacket ready to go if the first one stops due to cold. Normally after warming up the first battery will go for a while longer. Not a real issue now I have 4 batteries for the 2 1D's.

The one problem I do have is going from my house, to the vehicle, then to a hot smelly gym or hot humid swimming pool. What I do then is put the camera in a big bag while I drive to the school. I take it out after I get inside the building. Swimming pools are the worst place for digital gear too!. When I leave, the camera goes right back in the bag until I get to the next job or home.

JS

Do you have packs of silica gel in your bag for the moisture?
I think you have anough bodies not to have to change lenses, don't you?

I didn't have problems in Spain last year, with ice in the pit lane and paddock.
It was so cold in January we had thermal underwear, socks, boots, gloves.
Not what I expected !

I didn't notice any battery issues, despite not protecting them - having the two int eh battery grip all the time.
I think also because I stayed out in the cold there were no condensation problems.

I only changed lenses once, removing the 2x converter from the 70-200.
So there wasn't much opportunity for trouble :)

Do you have packs of silica gel in your bag for the moisture?
I think you have anough bodies not to have to change lenses, don't you?

I didn't have problems in Spain last year, with ice in the pit lane and paddock.
It was so cold in January we had thermal underwear, socks, boots, gloves.
Not what I expected !

I didn't notice any battery issues, despite not protecting them - having the two int eh battery grip all the time.
I think also because I stayed out in the cold there were no condensation problems.

I only changed lenses once, removing the 2x converter from the 70-200.
So there wasn't much opportunity for trouble :)

Nope, no silca packs, but then I don't carry a bag either. Everything I need is in my jacket! I carry three batteries, flash, extra flash batteries, lens cloth, and CF cards (6 spares).
If I need a spare lens it's in a case on my belt loop, or if I need both bodies they are both armed with a lens and hanging off my (left) shoulder. Of course now with the MKII N I do not normally carry more than 1 spare battery unless it's going to be a really long day of shooting.
In the van or truck I have 1 or 2 battery chargers, a 12VDC converter, and when it's working my laptop to download the pictures from the cards. Plus monopod, tripods, rain gear, extra clothes, cooler full of cokes & water, cooler with food.

Gotta be prepared!

JS

apparently, if you take hand-warmers and wrap them around your grip, it'll keep the batteries warm and you'll get more life out of them.

Yeah, I have heard of that too. I have also heard one CF card maker has a version that is supposed to be better in cold weather as some cards apparently do not work below certain temps... I never had a problem but don't think I have shot below 32 degrees either....I'm no dummy, I'll be inside where it's warm! :)