Cold Weather Shooting Advice

[Mad Aussie]

I need some. And who better than to ask than a bunch of Canadians, Poms and Yanks right?? ;)

In July (the dead of winter here), my wife and I will be spending a week in Tasmania, specifically the Hobart region.

We can expect temperatures as low as -8 C (17 F) in the mountains we will visit, but probably more likely around the 0 C (32 F) through to about 10 C (50 F) days.

So ... my question(s) are, is this cold enough to be ...

a) worried about battery life and therefore need to take steps to keep the batteries warm?

b) worried about condensation issues when taking the camera out or returning to the warmth of the car or accommodation?

What advice can you give me?

[casil403]

MY tips:

Spare batteries are essential. Keep them in an internal pocket close to you where they can maintain body heat. This has been a photo saving bit of knowledge in my past winter when I was out shooting in -20C Sometimes when it gets seriously cold up here a fresh set of batteries only last about 1/2 hour. Sometimes I will use disposable heat packs as well to keep them and me warm.
Keep the stuff in your bag and try to avoid temperature extremes. If you have a place to store your stuff that is in a bit of a cooler area then that is great. Some folks use ziploc bags to store their camera equip in, but I generally don't. I keep my gear in the spare room by the cold door in the bag. I take out the card prior to bringing my gear in the house and then I just leave it in so it can gradually acclimatize. I figure Calgary has such dry air it really sin't a biggie...being in a place like Tasmania where it is a bit more humid then you might want to reconsider this last paragraph.


Great info found here:

Marko did a podcast or two a while ago on the subject I believe.....
Cold weather photography - Article on Photography.ca (http://www.photography.ca/phototips/cold-weather-photography.html)

78 – Winter photography gear (http://www.photography.ca/blog/?p=723)
Snow photography - rain photography - Article on Photography.ca (http://www.photography.ca/phototips/snow-rain-photography.html)

I also know of a great resource on flickr for you to check out!
Flickr: Discussing Winter Photography Tips - Part Two - Coping with Cold; Carrying your Gear in Photo News Gallery (http://www.flickr.com/groups/photonewsgallery/discuss/72157622797355872/)

Hope that helps....Lisa :)

[Mad Aussie]

Thanks Lisa. I remember Marko's podcast now you mention it.
And I've read a bit about not bringing the camera gear directly into a heated environment after being in very cold temps etc.

It's interesting to hear from people like yourself that have actually put this stuff into practice.

I like that dudes thermometer trick he uses in that Flickr link :)

[Greg_Nuspel]

I thought you wanted cold weather advice not nice weather advice. In Canada cold starts at -20c. :headslap:

Condensation would be my main concern, one word Ziplock.

[casil403]

I also have a few silica gels tossed in my camera backpack. I save them whenever I get something that has them and I toss them in the pack to absorb any moisture/humidity.
Figure it can't hurt and is another layer of protection. :)
You can also buy zipper thermometers and attach them to the camera bag zipper and just fold the zipper into the camera bag when you bring the bag in. That way no muss-no fuss.

Oh and don't forget the wind briefs to keep the junk protected! :laughing:

[casil403]

And I dunno if you can get them down in Tasmania, but if you see them and it is cold, I can't recommend disposable toe warmers enough. I swear by them in the cold to keep my feet warm! I used them all the time when I was out at FCP last year shooting the river ice and snow. :)
They look like this:

[Mad Aussie]

Ok ... Ziplock bags ... how do they help? Does it not condensate through them??

Silica bags ... my camera bags are loaded with them always ... against humidity!

Toe Warmers ... never seen them ... but have used ziplock bags!! :) I really don't expect it to be that cold. I've been in snow in NZ and in nice weather stripped down to a t-shirt because it was too hot in the snow gear.

My Junk ... hmmm ... maybe another ziplock bag huh?? Do they come in Aussie Average??? (That would be huuuuuge in Canada ;) )
Oh c'mon ... you KNEW you'd get a comment like that from me!! :clap:

[JAS_Photo]

Even though the temperatures you are talking about are not that cold, after you have been out a few hours, you really start to feel the cold. So make sure you have warm boots, gloves, and a hat. With good fitting leather gloves you can handle the camera without removing them. Here, when it is very cold leather gloves are not warm enough and I have to wear mitts over them. Dressing in layers is good. I wear a quilted type vest over a fleece sweater or light jacket most of the winter.

[Mad Aussie]

Yep ... coming from NZ and having been in the snow over there a few times (not always in good weather) I do know we need to be prepared for the cold if we are to out in it for any length of time. Apart from a couple of half hour walks we don't anticipate being in very cold conditions though.

I will take my ski jacket though ... and that made me hot in -8C in NZ a few years back.

I have ski gloves but obviously they aren't going to be much good with a camera in hand so my winter cycling gloves will have to suffice. They should be fine for what we are doing.

[Greg_Nuspel]

Ziplock bag help by reducing the amount of humidity available to condense. Since air contains a set amount of liquid per unit volume (relative humidity) by reducing the amount of air volume available you reduce the amount of moisture available. So place a lens/body in a bag squish out the air as best you can and you will have very little moisture available, if you don't do this the entire rooms volume is available. Even a closed camera bag reduces the volume available since the moisture has to pass through the bag. I have seen a lens fog up instantly when a lens cap was removed.

Just remember to remove you memory cards, they warm up fast and you'll want to view your photos.

[Greg_Nuspel]

And I dunno if you can get them down in Tasmania, but if you see them and it is cold, I can't recommend disposable toe warmers enough. I swear by them in the cold to keep my feet warm! I used them all the time when I was out at FCP last year shooting the river ice and snow. :)
They look like this:

No no no, be environmental there are reusable ones available, just throw them in boiling water and they recharge. Or Zippo Hand Warmer - Mountain Equipment Co-op. Free Shipping Available (http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=84552444262 7208&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302696025&bmUID=1274783497120)

[casil403]

No no no, be environmental there are reusable ones available, just throw them in boiling water and they recharge. Or Zippo Hand Warmer - Mountain Equipment Co-op. Free Shipping Available (http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=84552444262 7208&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302696025&bmUID=1274783497120)

They don't make reusable toe warmers and trust me...I've tried....You can't fit the snap and boil ones into shoes. I know b/c I have 3 pairs of them. :)
I'm sorry Greg but I will take non-environmental disposable toe warmers over icy cold, stinging sore toes any day. And yes I wear sock layers as well...I have super sensitive tootsies and for that I draw a line.:shrug:

[Greg_Nuspel]

They don't make reusable toe warmers and trust me...I've tried....You can't fit the snap and boil ones into shoes. I know b/c I have 3 pairs of them. :)
I'm sorry Greg but I will take non-environmental disposable toe warmers over icy cold, stinging sore toes any day. And yes I wear sock layers as well...I have super sensitive tootsies and for that I draw a line.:shrug:

Sorry I forget we use them in down booties that don't fit tight, it's sometimes -10 to -15 at high altitudes in the cockpit of the sailplane much colder outside :eek: So we stuff them in our boots as the temp drops.

[Mad Aussie]

Ziplock bag help by reducing the amount of humidity available to condense. Since air contains a set amount of liquid per unit volume (relative humidity) by reducing the amount of air volume available you reduce the amount of moisture available. So place a lens/body in a bag squish out the air as best you can and you will have very little moisture available, if you don't do this the entire rooms volume is available. Even a closed camera bag reduces the volume available since the moisture has to pass through the bag. I have seen a lens fog up instantly when a lens cap was removed.

Just remember to remove you memory cards, they warm up fast and you'll want to view your photos.
Thanks Greg ... cool explanation. Will certainly do this.

I've seen my lenses instantly fog over even here. I had trouble on those MTB photos of the girls doing those creek crossings. Thankfully though the fogging was only on the filter so I unscrewed it and kept shooting :)

[casil403]

I now that from growing up on the westcoast of Canada most of my life, the weather in Tasmania is probably quite similar perhaps even colder. It may not get as cold as it does here in Calgary in the winter, but it is a bone chilling type of cold with the humidity and the damp ocean air. I believe that is true with any area/city with cool temps and near a body of water. :)

It might only be -8C but I can tell you from my experience of growing up in a very similar climate, that is really quite cold because of the damp air....especially if you are not used to it. When it gets sub zero in Victoria it is friggin' cold and I remember the only way to deal with it sometimes was to go home and sit in a hot bath to warm up.
Wearing layers and windproof/rainproof clothing helps and if need be the heat packs are great.

I think your main issue will be humidity and fogging/condensation so it is a good idea take Greg's advice with the ziploc bags, throw some silica gel packs in the bag and any other way you can deal with condensation and fogging by all means do it. Growing up in NZ I am sure you have some idea of the climate only it will be and feel a bit cooler with the dampness in the air so just prepare for it.
Other than that, Just have a great time and enjoy your vacation! :)

[Mad Aussie]

In NZ you can be in places where you get the cold air from both coasts :)

[QuietOne]

Guess I'll add my two cents. It doesn't get quite as cold as some of the places people are mentioning, but I'm very, very thin and I feel the cold easily, especially my hands and feet.

Yes, definitely keep your feet warm. I have a couple of pairs of mylar sock liners. I snagged them off a clearance table. You put them on under socks to help trap the body heat. For me, I have to dunk my feet in warm water first so that there's some heat to retain. If you can find them they might be worth snagging.

I know what people mean about not being able to shoot with heavy gloves. But if your fingers get cold enough you won't be able to feel your camera's controls. So yes, the pocket warmers are worth having. Most of my jackets have napped fabric as pocket liners, usually flannel. If yours don't might be worth a trip to the fabric store for some flannel or fleece. Fold a couple of pieces up and stuff them in your pockets. When your fingers have had enough, let the camera hang by the strap and put your hands in between the layers of the flannel or fleece.

I second the advice about the hat. A knit wool watch cap is great. It doesn't take much of breeze to suck away body heat, and your head really is a spot where it goes fast.

[Greg_Nuspel]

Warmth = layers everywhere. Wicking layers against the skin to keep it dry and then warm layers beyond, cotton is a no no. Synthetics like fleece are best, wool works as well. Layers can be added and removed to control your heat, up here in the real cold we have a rule don't work up a sweat it will kill you if you stay outside. Hypothermia (http://www.natureskills.com/hypothermia_symptoms.html) is your enemy know the signs.

Enjoy yourself.

[JAS_Photo]

Three little words: Silk Long Johns :)

[Mad Aussie]

Thanks all for the variety of advice! Very interesting.
You'd think I was going for months! :)

We are only there for 6 days ... and of that will only see snow once or twice for maybe an hour or two each time maybe.

We have thermal t-shirts to go under our clothes, we have woolen beanies for our heads, Buffs for our necks and face, winter cycling gloves to keep hands warm and still use camera, proper hiking boots, snow jackets, cycling arm and leg warmers to go under clothes. We'll be fine in the conditions we'll see there.

I was actually more looking at camera advice for the cold temps ... keeping batteries warm and going, anti condensation advice, that sort of thing. I'd read about a lot of it, but was curious to see what you northern hemisphere peoples real experiences had taught you in this regard.

When I come to Canada in a winter ... the first thing I'll do is grab one of you lot and go shopping for all manner of electric warmy thingies for everything from my batteries to my family jewels!! :)