In reality

[volcamp]

I have a long drive to and from work. I find that I miss many photo opportunities because I don't have my camera. Everything I read says do not leave the digital camera in a hot/cold vehicle. I have to park a long ways from my building so I have to keep the window rolled up. I work right on the coast so it can get really hot in the truck before the days end. Is this really detrimental to my camera? Are there ways to mitigate the risk? Looking for some real time advice. Thanks.

[Peter_AUS]

Why not just carry the camera to work with you and keep it cool, leaving it in your car is detrimental to the camera and film, but leaving it in the car also opens up the possibilities to theft as well.

Keeping your camera gear in an esky with no drip ice packs helps to keep the temprature down, but you really need to think about what you are doing by keeping a camera in a car for extended periods.

[volcamp]

in a Nuclear Power plant. If I try to carry a camera in there, they will club me unconcious and then fire me.

[Outdoorsman]

I recall reading somewhere, "If it's too hot for you it's too hot for the camera." If the interior of your truck can get hot enough to cause heatstroke, then I would agree that you need to bring the camera into the building with you or simply leave it at home. If you're like me you treat it like a living thing that needs attention and tender loving care.
The cold pack idea would be fine if you knew you were going to shoot that day, but as an every day habit, it might get tiresome. Here's my story:
I tend to take my camera with me anytime I think I might need it. This means I have to deal with the reality of having to leave it in the car on hot or cold or humid days. So I do my best to keep a considerable layer of protection over the bag. I keep a huge heavy coat in the car (since you just never know around here) as well as an extra blanket and flannel shirt. I put the camera bag on the floorboard behind the backseat when I park, and then I carefully cover it with as many layers as I can get. Usually even after many hours' exposure to extreme heat inside the car, the bag is still cool (or at least not hot) under all those layers. It works up here in NorCal, but I'm not so sure in, say, summertime Texas. I also will put in in the trunk if I think it might be exposed to direct sun in the car. The trunk usually stays cooler than the car interior, and your bag also isn't in plain view of thieves.
Ever leave a videocassette on your dash on a hot day? Or a thermometer? The tape looks hideously melted and the thermometer reads numbers you didn't know were possible. Thank god for A/C!!!
Good luck!

[Clemmie]

I work in a Nuclear Power plant. If I try to carry a camera in there, they will club me unconcious and then fire me.

Yeah......I could see where that would be a definite deterrent.....

On those occasions that I'm carrying my Maxxum kit on an outing in the Pickup, if leaving it for more than a few moments, I'll bury it in the floor like Outdoorsman described. Has worked pretty well so far.

Most of the time, though, I'm traveling in my Freightliner - and have to keep the cab climate suitable for my Cat who travels with me, at all times - so no problems with "Roasted Maxxum" while traveling.

Which is a good thing, as I'm told they aren't very tasty........even with BBQ sauce.