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Markhpnc
02-05-2005, 07:29 PM
Has anybody had any problems with digi cams in the cold or have any tips? David Metsky, I know you said you used yours on the slopes, what do think about this? I just got my camera last week and haven't been able to use it much yet, but one of my main uses will be for the slopes with possible sub-zero temps. The cameras lowest operating temp listed in the specs is 32F. Here is what someone else said on another board.

Forum News Discussion
Subject Something to keep in mind
Posted by Jason P [CLICK FOR PROFILE]
Date/Time 9:03:27 AM, Tuesday, January 25, 2005 (GMT)

I live in Colorado and ski avidly, taking a good number of photos on the slopes, especially when backcountry or with visitors, and I thought I'd mention some experiences to you.

1. I've had really really bad battery time with the Canon Powershot S series. I've had or used a s100,s110,s230, and an s330. Wow, even keeping the camera and battery warm in your jacket, they seem to die extremely fast when out in 0-20 degree Fahrenheit temps....sometimes in as few as 6 shots.

2. If you do keep your camera warm, definitely, even though it will be a pain, put it in a plastic baggie or you'll be sorry before too long. I thought it would be easy to do, but found myself skipping the bag quite often. I ruined my s330 because of the condensation inside my jacket. Also, if it is cold out, the condensation gets in all the nooks and crannies and freezes within minutes out in the cold, leaving your camera unable to function.

Just a few things to consider.

Also, here is link to an article I found on cameras in cold temps, but it has limited info for digital cams.
http://www.split-seconds.com/Pages/Phototips1.htm

One thing I wanted to know was have you had any problems and do you have a special case or put it in a bag or anything? I have heard some people say put it in a bag and some people say not to do that b/c will trap moisture in. From what I understand from the article, the condensation will form when you take it from cold to warm, so putting it in a bag with the silica gel pack before putting it in the jacket should prevent this? Even without the condensation, I know there is a lot of water vapor in the jackets from perspiration. Do you know of any good compact cases, maybe hard or waterproof? I don't want to crush it from falling either, but a lot of cases make it kind of bulky.

transgressive
02-05-2005, 08:28 PM
Mark,
I've taken my SD300 recently on cross country ski trips in central New York. Temps have ranged from single digits to mid 30s.

I put the camera in a ziploc primarily because I'm more worried about taking a spill and dropping the camera onto snow or getting snow in my pocket as a result of sliding in the snow. So far, condensation has not been a problem at all, although it is something I always check for. I keep the camera in an outer jacket pocket rather than a warmer inner pocket, but mainly just for convenience. I haven't had any problems with battery life but haven't taken more than 20 shots per trip.

Furthermore, I'd say that most of my trips consist of me driving to locations, so it's not as if I go from subzero to a heated house instantly. I'll go from outdoors to cold car (which then heats up) and then back to heated home. I wonder if the gradual change helps with the concern you have of going from cold to warm too quickly.

Hope this helps...

David Metsky
02-06-2005, 08:01 AM
I've hiked and skied with my SD300 every weekend since I got it, no problems at all. Temps have been down to about -10, so I think the camera will work just fine, and I haven't really had any problems with battery usage either, though I still need to buy a backup battery.

No condensation problems, I keep the battery either in a pocket or attached to my sternum strap of my pack in a small case. The only problem I've noticed is the optical viewfinder gets fogged up, but it hasn't had any impact on camera usage.

Some Recent photo albums:
Hiking Mt Madison #1 (http://community.webshots.com/album/252930159BzVcQA)
Hiking Mt Madison #2 (http://community.webshots.com/album/252887080iMAswn)
Late night outside party at -10 (http://community.webshots.com/album/253141257uBnheP)
Backcountry skiing workshop at Mt Cardigan #1 (http://community.webshots.com/album/264544114pMIqfq)
Backcountry skiing workshop #2 (http://community.webshots.com/album/266170973ARTlcA)
Backcountry skiing - Alexandria Trail (http://community.webshots.com/album/267388915PJIqUy)
Backcountry skiing - Dukes trail (http://community.webshots.com/album/267396000eekkCD)
Skiing at Windblown ski area (http://home.earthlink.net/~photodavid/windblown/)
Hiking, Skiing, and NY celebrations (http://home.earthlink.net/~photodavid/newyears/)

For skiing photos, I've been using the burst mode a lot, and I love it. I take 20-30 photos at a time, with two or three coming out just like I want them.

-dave-

EAP
02-06-2005, 12:08 PM
Battery failure in very cold temperatures is not uncommon. I suspect it's not the camera that's at issue, its the batteries.

Markhpnc
02-06-2005, 06:09 PM
Thanks for the info everyone. That person who's quote I pasted in complained about the battery life, but the article from the link I posted says that lithium batteries are the most resistant to cold weather problems. The SD300 has a lithium-ion battery and I think the other Canons he listed do to, so I am not sure what the problem would be. Is a lithium-ion battery different than just a lithium battery? Also, do you think it would be okay for me to leave the battery in the camera? David, I know you said you take yours out, but that seems like it would a pain. And does anybody have any suggestions for cases?

Thanks again

TenD
02-06-2005, 07:25 PM
I had an opportunity to go to Deadhorse Alaska a couple of springs ago, and brought along my S30. Morning temperatures were near -40 for most of my time there, afternoons warmed up to a balmy -20 or so. The battery life was pretty bad, but the battery always came back after getting it back inside my coat for a while. I alway kept 2 batteries, one in the camera, and one in an inside pocket. I swapped them when one ran out.
My friend has an S410 and takes it out skiing all of the time, he hasn't had any problems with it, he keeps it in an inside pocket most of the time.

variozin
02-06-2005, 09:59 PM
He he~~

Even I took it with me in the inner chest pocket of my jacket while i went for snow boarding.The camera took great pictures on the mountain peak with about -6 degrees C.and windy atmosphere.I didnt noticed any condensation or fog also.I didnt even feel any loss of battery.

cheers
ashley..

variozin
02-06-2005, 10:01 PM
oops I forgot to say that I took it in a soft,padded vinyl case, with zipper.

David Metsky
02-06-2005, 10:44 PM
I did nothing special with my camera, never took the batteries out to keep them warm, just put the camera in the coat pocket while hiking and skiing. It worked fine every day, never had a problem with battery usage, didn't even carry a backup battery.

The camera works just fine in cold weather, I wouldn't hesitate to bring it skiing or any other winter activity. It's a non-issue.

-dave-

Markhpnc
02-07-2005, 05:21 PM
Thanks again everyone, and Dave you have been a huge help since the beginning when I was trying to decide between this camera and the T3. Now I just need to find my memory card so I can take it snowboarding this weekend.