Cold weather battery life

[KenR]

The weather has turned cold this week in the New York area with some snow on the ground in the northern suburbs. I went for a walk with my R4A the other day and found the batteries failing (missing some shots with long delay until the shutter clicked). As it had been at least 9 months since the batteries were replaced, I thought nothing of it, and went a bought a new set. Today, with a temperature of about 20 degrees farenheit, I again went for a short walk. I clicked off several shots without difficulty, but then found that the batteries were failing - nothing happened when I clicked the shutter. Back home, all seems fine in the warmth of my kitchen.
Is this normal battery failure at sub-freezing temperatures? Would an M body function any better? (meter? shutter?) Is this a camera failure and not a battery failure?

 

[bmasonoh]

I had this happen to my M6 last weekend. Since I'm new to the rangefinder world I'm wondering the same thing. Would love to know.

 

[Nikon Bob]

I think it is pretty normal for a camera with an electronically controlled shutter, the R4A, to have these problems in the cold. The battery dies in the cold then so does the shutter. If you keep the camera under your coat to keep it warm between shots it should lessen the chance of that happening. If there is a lithium battery substitute using it would also help.

The M6 is different as it has a mechanical shutter but they can still be troublesome in the cold if the lub is old and gummy. As the lub gets cold and thickens the shutter can slow down and/stop working altogether. Try keeping it warm between shots and if that does not work then maybe it should get a CLA to get rid of any dirt and old lub.

Bob