Coming in from the cold

[rbiemer]

Folks,
I am going to be shooting out doors at night and have a couple of concerns. Hopefully some of you from the really cold locales can help.
Where I live its cold( +/- 10 C) with some occasional extremes.
New years eve here my local downtown association puts on a big "do" ending at midnight with a fireworks display.
I have found the spot for me and my tripod that should eliminate most of the street lights and the show ought to be very good this year(last year there was a malfunction so the fireworks company has promised an exceptional display this time).
I expect to be out side for a half an hour or so . Which means the camera will be thoroughly cold by the time I head back inside.
My concern is: condensation as the camera and film warms up.
I think what I'll do is:
A- unload the camera before I bring it back inside and put the film in a ziplock bag
B- do the same with the camera itself
and possibly C- put the lens in its own bag.
I have a bunch of those dessicant packs from misc. gear and might put some in each of the bags.
IS THIS A GOOD IDEA?
Or should I just leave the camera,lens and film some where warm and out of the way? I will be using a different camera to capture any party hijinks so I wont need the other one for a day or two.
(my G-III QL17 is the indoor camera, haven't decided on the Kiev4a or the Zorki3m yet)
Any thoughts or better suggestions are much appreciated!
Thanks, Rob

 

[RML]

Rob, my experience is limited to Mongolian extra cold, extra dry winter. My Eos dealt well with going in and out of the cold in the deep of winter. Outside it was about -30 C while inside the houses/ shops/ canteens it was about +20 C and pretty humid. I had not once any problem with condensation of film, camera or lens. When outside I kept the camera in my coat pocket as much as possible ebcause otherwise the battery might have problems. The worst was keeping myself warm and my fingers from freezing.

Last October/ November I was in Mongolia as well. Mid-day temperatures were as low as -15 C already. That time I was shooting with my Bessa R, Leitz Minolta CL and/or Leica M2. Again, the cameras, film and lenses were much better able to withstand the cold than I was. Again I had no problem with condensation of any sort.

I think stuffing anything in a plastic bag in the cold and then drag it inside the house is asking for condensation inside the bag. I'd just keep the film in the camera with the lens attached, keep it in your coat pocket, and just leave it on the table once you're back in the house. The film is unlikely to freeze (you wouldn't want that anyway because (re)winding it can/ will break it than). And if you give the camera a little while to warm up a little in your coat pocket, the temperature difference it will experience is much narrower (from cold into pocket, in pocket for the walk back to home, from pocket into house).

If you bring extra film outside, keep them also in your coat pocket. They'll adjust slowly to the outside temperature, won't freeze, and won't show condensation.

 

[rbiemer]

Thanks!
what I will be dealing with is nothing so extreme. some times I tend to over think stuff🙄 I wont have time for more than one(probably only part)roll of film as the show won't be that long and the exposures will.
Rob

 

[Nikon Bob]

I just put the camera with film in and lens on in my camera bag and bring it inside. I don't open the bag for a long time to let everything warm up slowly. Never a problem. Film can get brittle in the cold so slow and gentle on the wind on and a slow rewind. A fast rewind can leave static electricity streaks on film. Have fun.

Bob

 

[FrankS]

I do the same as Bob, just put the camera/lens/film (still together) in a camera bag outside, close the bag, and bring it in. It will warm up slowly and not be exposed to the humid air inside. Your thinking is totally correct about moisture from the warm humid air indoors condensing on the cold camera. The plastic bag idea is conceptually correct but not necessary. (Condensation would not happen inside the bag because there is no moisture in the cold dry air when placing the camera in the bag while you're still outside.) There is definitely no need to take the film and lens off the camera.

 

[GeneW]

I do the same as Bob and Frank. I just leave everything in the bag and bring it in. (The exception is that if I also have a digicam in the bag, I pull the CF card and slip it in my pants pocket, then return the digicam to the bag before going in). A few hours later, I open it up and put everything away.

Gene

 

[peter_n]

I do the same as all the above and even use Domke bags that aren't particularly well sealed and I haven't had a problem. Bob makes a good point about winding and rewinding - I have changed film (in a Leica 😱 ) at temps well below freezing and provided you are careful it is OK. If I am going to use up a roll when I am out I carry the next roll(s) in my pocket. Check before you leave to see where you are on the film counter.

 

[rbiemer]

Thanks to all for your help! Apparently it won't be any problem. It is unseasonaly warm here today and is going to be warmer on friday--mid 50s (~20C?) so I'm only concerned now that the umbrella doesn't show in the frame.
Well, at least I wont have to worry about the street lights reflecting off the snow and making the sky a little lighter.
As far as static, years ago I had this happen to me. Luckily the photos were in daytime on a skiing trip and were just barely evident (mostly around the sprocket holes). Haven't had this happen in a long time and figured either that the film beses had changed or the predominance of polycarbon plastics minimized it, cuz it couldn't be that I've gotten wiser about any thing 😀
Of course, I'm back to metal cameras now.
Anyway, THANKS!
Rob