Leica M8 operating temperature

[pab]

Does anyone know the minumum temperature at which the Leica M8 can sensibly be used?

Per

 

[jaapv]

I wouldn't worry too much about that, there have been nature photographers operating Canons far below specified temperatures, without trouble.

 

[Grober]

The only thing I've seen in the M8 owner's manual states that the battery must be between 0 and 35 degrees centigrade in order to be charged. There is one note about eliminating condensation "on or in" the camera but nothing about temps to watch while operating the camera.

My expensive baby ain't gonna see any bruising termperatures any time soon that's for sure.

-g

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

The Manual, Luke...

Read the Manual, Luke...

 

[jaapv]

And read Fritz Polking 's "Digitale Naturfotografie in der Praxis" It has a whole chapter debunking this particular issue with photographs It even has a photograph of a thermometer to back it up.

 

[Eric T]

I am going to Turku and Helsinki, Finland soon. Can a Leica M8 be used outdoors in January there?

 

[abumac]

I used my M9 outside in Lappland -18 degrees for hours with only one battery (same as M8), no problem at all.
Have a look here: http://mimpresion.blogspot.com/2012/01/nordlichter.html

 

[Jim Evidon]

I used my M8 in the Antarctic a few years back with no problems. Caution: wear gloves because that all metal body can get painfully cold.

 

[250swb]

I think the only problem you would have is the battery draining more quickly.

I have used my M9 for extended periods at -15c, but I know people regularly use them much colder than that. Its just down to common sense, don't try to blow dust off anything thats really cold or you can get condensation, and its better just to hang the camera around your neck rather than baby it inside a coat which can also lead to condensation. You can take your battery out and put that in a pocket for warmth.

Steve

 

[sepiareverb]

My M9 will work in cold temperatures, but is erratic. I can make a few frames then the camera shuts down, occasionally making the last frame an unreadable DNG. Can start it up again a few moments later, but it is quite difficult to use when it gets very cold. I've not done a lot of shooting with it in extreme cold, so can't say if this has anything to do with which of my batteries is in the camera. Could give it a test today as it is -21°C here and not expected to warm up at all over the day and maybe even get colder, but I don't much want to be out.

 

[Mudman]

huh. I dunno about the M8 or M9, but I've shot my nikon dslrs in -30 F without incident. It was bloody cold out though. I wouldn't care to repeat.

 

[Andrea Taurisano]

I regularly use my M9-P (and earlier a M8) in temperatures 10 - 15 Celsius below freezing, never a problem. But battery life does get a bit shorter, so I usually keep the display off (no automatic preview). Lots of pictures to take then.

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

I've used my M8 in the Minnesotan tundra (and Chicago in January!) at temperatures well reaching -20 F with obscene wind chills. No problem using the M8. Problem using the 40mm Rokkor and 35mm f/2 Biogon tabs with the gloves on, but I'm sure that's not Leica's fault.