Tip on... Hostile climates

Here are some tips when going to extremes in relation to climate

For cold temperatures

Batteries dont like cold weather. If you look at your camera manual you will usually see 2 different sets of values for battery life, one for normal conditions and another one for freezing point. Usually battery life is reduce by half on near freezing temperatures. For example the Canon EOS 400D battery can take 500 shots at 23degrees centigrade but only 370 at 0 degrees.

One good tip is to keep your battery inside your coat, this way it can use your body's temperature.

Another concern in some cameras are leaf shutters on traditional large format cameras where the lubricants have become viscous in low temperatures. Some plastics can become brittle, and while not a problem for camera, it could be for accessories

When taking pictures in the snow and things like skiing or snowboarding there shouldn't be a problem with the snow if it remains frozen, problem is when you move indoors. This water could sip into the lens joints and other areas. So be careful of wiping your camera before you go indoors or putting it inside your coat.

Condensation can also be a big problem. At best it is a nuisance. the lens becomes misted up and the camera body become damp. At worth though the condensation may penetrate the camera and damage the electronic if the camera is stored damp, cause mould and fungus to appear

What you need to do is put the camera away in a bag or case before you bring it indoors, and then let it warm up naturally for an hour or so before opening up the bag, it doesn't have to be airtight because there is no pressure difference, you are simply preventing the warm air from circulating around cold equipment

For hot weather

When it comes to the sun, cameras are pretty hardy the only big nuisance is that the black plastic on which cameras are built, attract the hear, which could cause your camera to become so hot that it cannot be operated for a few minutes.

For hot weather your worst enemies are moisture and dust

Sand is a real killer when it comes to lenese, any grit can lock up a precise and delicate mechanism of the camera and or lens

This is critical when trying to exchange lens in the middle of a dusty environment. If you have to, you should turn away from the wind, and face the camera downwards to minimize the risk of particles getting into the camera body.

In some environments, fine dust particles are suspended in the air and will enter the camera body even if perfectly still conditions.

Never put your camera away damp.

del.icio.us Tags: tips,climate,photography,weather,cold,hot,temperature