Cold weather shooting at DVinfo.net

Craig Kovatch · June 26th, 2010, 01:39 PM

Another time lapse question.....has anyone used their EX1 outside in the winter for extended periods? I want to do some time lapse shooting outdoors this winter and the nights typically get down to -30 to -40c. The camera will be outside for as long as 3 hours. The manual gives an operating temp no lower than 0c. Should I be worried?

Thanks again.

Olof Ekbergh · June 26th, 2010, 03:11 PM

Invest in Polar Bear insulated case from Portabrace or similar product.

Use Iron Oxide hand warmers inside the jacket. Especially around the battery.

Craig Kovatch · June 26th, 2010, 11:09 PM

Thanks Olof.

Anything special about iron oxide warmers vs. other types?

Alister Chapman · June 27th, 2010, 02:48 AM

I've used EX1's and EX3's down to -36c for extended periods without any major issues. The LCD panel will get a little sluggish, but is still useable. At about -45c the fluid in the LCD can freeze and this will crack and destroy the panel. Best bet is to keep the camera on if you can. It generates a fair bit of heat internally and this will prevent any issues. A BP-U60 will last around 2 hours at -30c, BP-U30 a little under an hour. Don't use regular rain covers as these will become brittle and shatter below around -25c. If the camera is being used for timelapse and will be left on, simply covering it with a fleece sweater will keep it warm. Be very careful when bringing it inside. If the camera body is cold and you bring it in to the warm you will get condensation, both on the outside and inside of the camera. Make sure the camera is off to prevent damage and then warm it back up and ensure it is totally dry and moisture free before packing it away. There are reports of cameras suffering permanent damage due to moisture corrosion internally. Packing silica gel in with the camera will help draw out any remaining moisture.

Olof Ekbergh · June 27th, 2010, 05:59 AM

I have found the Iron Oxide hand warmers last the longest. I have tried the "rechargeable" ones as well they work well and can be reused, but don't last as long.

Alister has a good point about condensation.

If the camera gets real cold, putting it in a zip-lock plastic bag while it warms up works well. I will be in Arkansas shooting in a few weeks and I use that trick when going from AC to hot humid summer conditions there as well, cameras hate condensation.

Craig Kovatch · June 27th, 2010, 01:38 PM

What a wealth of information! Thanks again to both of you. Any issues with condensation in the lens?

June 26th, 2010, 01:39 PM	#1
Craig Kovatch Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Hay River, Canada Posts: 85	Cold weather shooting Another time lapse question.....has anyone used their EX1 outside in the winter for extended periods? I want to do some time lapse shooting outdoors this winter and the nights typically get down to -30 to -40c. The camera will be outside for as long as 3 hours. The manual gives an operating temp no lower than 0c. Should I be worried? Thanks again.

June 26th, 2010, 03:11 PM	#2
Olof Ekbergh Sponsor: Westside AV Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Mount Washington Valley, NH, USA Posts: 1,365	Invest in Polar Bear insulated case from Portabrace or similar product. Use Iron Oxide hand warmers inside the jacket. Especially around the battery. __________________ Olof Ekbergh • olof@WestsideAV.com Westside A V Studios • http://www.WestsideAVstore.com/

June 27th, 2010, 02:48 AM	#4
Alister Chapman Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Bracknell, Berkshire, UK Posts: 4,957	I've used EX1's and EX3's down to -36c for extended periods without any major issues. The LCD panel will get a little sluggish, but is still useable. At about -45c the fluid in the LCD can freeze and this will crack and destroy the panel. Best bet is to keep the camera on if you can. It generates a fair bit of heat internally and this will prevent any issues. A BP-U60 will last around 2 hours at -30c, BP-U30 a little under an hour. Don't use regular rain covers as these will become brittle and shatter below around -25c. If the camera is being used for timelapse and will be left on, simply covering it with a fleece sweater will keep it warm. Be very careful when bringing it inside. If the camera body is cold and you bring it in to the warm you will get condensation, both on the outside and inside of the camera. Make sure the camera is off to prevent damage and then warm it back up and ensure it is totally dry and moisture free before packing it away. There are reports of cameras suffering permanent damage due to moisture corrosion internally. Packing silica gel in with the camera will help draw out any remaining moisture. __________________ Alister Chapman, Film-Maker/Stormchaser http://www.xdcam-user.com/alisters-blog/ My XDCAM site and blog. http://www.hurricane-rig.com

June 27th, 2010, 05:59 AM	#5
Olof Ekbergh Sponsor: Westside AV Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Mount Washington Valley, NH, USA Posts: 1,365	I have found the Iron Oxide hand warmers last the longest. I have tried the "rechargeable" ones as well they work well and can be reused, but don't last as long. Alister has a good point about condensation. If the camera gets real cold, putting it in a zip-lock plastic bag while it warms up works well. I will be in Arkansas shooting in a few weeks and I use that trick when going from AC to hot humid summer conditions there as well, cameras hate condensation. __________________ Olof Ekbergh • olof@WestsideAV.com Westside A V Studios • http://www.WestsideAVstore.com/

June 26th, 2010, 11:09 PM	#3
Craig Kovatch Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Hay River, Canada Posts: 85	Thanks Olof. Anything special about iron oxide warmers vs. other types?

June 27th, 2010, 01:38 PM	#6
Craig Kovatch Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Hay River, Canada Posts: 85	What a wealth of information! Thanks again to both of you. Any issues with condensation in the lens?