Extreme Temperatures

Being a native of warm climes I have never had to worry about extreme temperatures. We are about to move to the Chinese/Tibetan border for a few years at high altitude (4000 meters) with winter temperatures getting down to -20 deg C at night, daytime temperatures average around +1-2 deg C.

What do I need to do to ensure my equipment Canon 350D etc will work in top condition?

Jurgen
China

A spare battery! Carry both of them fully charged, and it's pretty likely that they won't seem to last as long in cold weather. Put the other one inside your coat so it will stay warm and then switch. Some batteries will come back after they warm up and some won't - they'll need a charge. Lithium batteries handle cold very well, but I'm really not too sure about lithium ion. Alkaline doesn't last long but comes back when warm. NiMh just goes dead.

If it's only that cold at night, then you really don't need to worry too much. It would be best to put the camera back in the bag while outside (cold) and then bring it inside to slowly warm up so you don't have to worry about condensation, but that might not be much of an issue with low humidity. Still, better to play it safe when you can.

Always keep the batteries warm, but not too warm. If they are too warm they will actually have a shorter use as they cool too quick. I guess it's the same principle as the hot water pipes breaking before the cold water pipes. Keeping them in an inside pocket of a jacket where they can get a little body heat should keep them going. But at those temps you can expect to get 1/3 the shooting out of them.
Also, do not take it straight from heat to extreme cold and vice versa as that may cause condensation which could short the circuit boards out.
Also you may want to consider getting a different view finder, an Anti-fog viewfinder works great, but they are not cheap.

JS

Here in Upper New York, and even when I've been to Iceland hasn't been much of a problem. Batteries will run out faster (i.e. get a vertical grip if you can for more battery life), but your main concern is not getting frostbite on your hands :D.

Never had to deal with quite that cold but, one trick I used for condensation was to keep freezer bags with me. Before going inside, seal your camera in one and it will allow your camera to adjust temp wise with out the condensation build up. Just make sure not to take it out of the bag until it has warmed up fully. Have fun over there and looking forward to the pics :)

Aaron

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Originally Posted by Xia_Ke

Never had to deal with quite that cold

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-20 deg C = -4 deg F

It can get colder than that here at night, and you're in Maine! Maybe you missed the "C"? :idea:

Ziploc bags are a good tip. Personally, as long as I have the camera in a bag, I don't worry about using them too - but everything needs to be in some sort of bag. The idea is that condensation will form on the outside of the cold object and this way it'll form on the outside of the bag rather than on the camera or lens itself (which can easily lead to problems). I don't worry about taking a warm camera into the cold because condensation only happens the other way (cold to warm).

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Originally Posted by another view

-20 deg C = -4 deg F

It can get colder than that here at night, and you're in Maine! Maybe you missed the "C"? :idea:

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LOL... Been a little while since C to F conversions in school... DOH! In Southern Maine it really doesn't ever get below 0 but a few times a year. That is if you don't count windchill factors. Daytime temps are usually low teens to mid-20's. Half the time our Winter cycle is 2 or 3 days at those temps with snow, then we have a week in the 30's so you end up with muddy days and icy nights :mad2:

Thanks everyone for your tips..I already have a battery drip for my 350D plus a couple of spare batteries..The crazy thing about the Tibetan Plateau is that for most of the year it is bone dry up there, almost desert like conditions.. Makes me wonder if condensation will be a problem?

Jurgen

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Originally Posted by yogestee

Makes me wonder if condensation will be a problem?

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It may not be, but I don't have any experience in those conditions. Cold, yes - but with some humidity. Try something non-electronic to see how it does - if it gets condensation on it when brought inside - before you try it with a camera or lens. Still, better to be safe than sorry. Ziploc bags might not be necessary but I'd still make sure all of the gear is put away into the camera bag and closed up before going inside.