Cold Weather: film or digital?

[Benjamin Marks]

I am planning on spending a week in Montreal in late December and wondered: if you were going to be out and about in Montreal and could take only one camera, would you opt for digital with its hide-your-battery-in-a-warm-place problems or film?

I've got to say, I am leaning towards bringing either an M2 or a IIIa, a fast 35mm lens and a hand-held light meter (the keep it simple, stupid school).

Any Canadians or other world citizens want to chime in on how likely it will be that I will be wandering around outside as opposed to shuttling among interior spaces? I have been to Moscow in late October and live in Vermont . . . but still.


Ben Marks

 

[matt352]

You might luck out and December might be mild, but I would go the film route if I was you. I remember a friend of mine telling the story of a December photo outing he (with his M3) went on with his daughter (Canon G10). Her digi-battery lasted for around 20 shots if I remember the story correctly.

Also, a trick (his), if you use a neck strap, is to use a scarf like a muff draped over the camera to prevent snow buildup. I've tried it on my slr, too. It was a little more awkward, but once I figured out how to wrap it around the jutting lens effectively, all was well.

Good luck and enjoy your trip!

 

[emraphoto]

I love Vermont. Friends have a place in Stowe.

Anyhow. Spent much time living in Montreal. Spent a very cold winter with an m8 on the streets daily. Nary a hiccup. Camera actually outlasted me.

Have been out in very cold weather with an M (film), like -35, and what will happen is the lubricants will start to freeze up. Focusing will become very stiff etc. You can have your camera set up with special lubricants but I think it is uneccessary in Montreal.

I reckon either will be good. Just bring extra batteries for digital.

 

[rogue_designer]

I reckon either will be good. Just bring extra batteries for digital.

Aye - either will be fine. Keep extra batteries in your pants pocket to keep them warm, if you go the digital route.

 

[antiquark]

I've had luck with keeping my digital in a camera bag along with a bottle of water. The water emanates heat and keeps the camera at, or above, zero Celsius. Of course, when the water freezes the protection will be lost. Also I would keep the camera in the bag as much as possible, removing it only to take a picture.

 

[peter_n]

I like Vermont too. Kinhaven Music School. 🙂 I don't think it makes any difference really. I've taken an F3 or even my digi out in the depths of winter and provided the cam avoids prolonged exposure to sub-zero you'll be OK. Bring extra batteries too..

 

[saturnales]

Just keep a spare batery in your pocket, near your body. You won't have any problem at all. I'm walking in Montreal everyday. No problem using a digital, even in cold weather. Just keep the camera and the batery closer to your body...

 

[uhligfd]

Let us assume really cold weather, - 50 F and icy wind blowing you to pieces.

Any camera will work fine. It is you I am wondering/worrying about: you will freeze first, the cameras will still be fine if you could only make your frost bit fingers click the shutter. Or were still capable to even think about it.

 

[Dave Wilkinson]

O.K. - keep that camera warm, but don't forget those extra thick pants....you know what happened to the brass monkey!😱
Dave.😀

 

[sepiareverb]

Montreal won't be all that much colder than here, but a lot windier. Certainly no worse than Vermont in February.

Film.

 

[ampguy]

There's a photo book out there, can't remember the name right now, Nature Photography, maybe by John Cox (not Shaw), where the author became a digital convert by taking a digicam into the cold along with his SLR.

His SLR froze up, but his digicam worked fine ...