My ZI froze on me.

[kossi008]

Not finally, but almost literally. Recently, while trying to do something from a tripod at -10 °C, it just stopped working. And the batteries were almost new! I managed to revive it by tucking it under my jacket for a while, then I would be able to fire another 3 to 5 shots, then it would freeze again. Pretty annoying when you're trying to shoot an ongoing event.

So, any insights on how to prolong camera life under cold conditions? I do keep spare batteries close to my body and do normally take the camera out only for shooting...

 

[robbeiflex]

My relatively new ZI battery died the other day too after being outside with it snowshoeing for about three hours the day before. I had also left it wound and in the off position often while I was out and over night too, which I think drains the battery.

Batteries simply don't handle cold well, and what you are doing seems to be the best idea to me.

Cheers,
Rob

 

[dfoo]

That is the only thing I don't like about my ZI -- its pretty useless in cold weather.

 

[Paul Luscher]

Well, I guess the solution is to get something like a Barnack Leica or an M3 if you're going to shoot "cold" --although they can have their problems, too.

 

[antiquark]

Were you using LR44's or SR44's? I've heard that the silver oxide batteries last longer in cold weather.

 

[kossi008]

Now there's a thought. I've been using LR44, maybe I should give the SR44 a try...

 

[zerobuttons]

.....
So, any insights on how to prolong camera life under cold conditions?
.....

For one:
Before you bring the camera into warm conditions (tucking it under your coat or bringing it inside your house), wrap both camera and lens inside a tightly closed plastic bag, and keep it that way until the camera has taken room temperature.
That way you prevent condensation inside camera and lens - something that could in the worst case bring a camera with an electronic shutter into a state where it can only be saved with a full CLA.

All-mechanical cameras are not as sensitive to this problem, of course, but still condensation in the rangefinder mechanism, the viewfinder and the lens should be avoided.

 

[ibraz]

+1 for the SR44, they last longer and are less sensitive to cold.

 

[monopix]

My ZI came with a CR1/3N (lithium equivalent to 2 off SR44) and that's what I've always used. They're specified to work down to -40 degrees C.

 

[Mister E]

Such is the life of battery-operated cameras. Keep in under your coat until you're ready to shoot - and replace it as soon as you're done. Keep a spare battery on-hand as well.

See, who said mechanical cameras are dumb? 😉

It's not like the lubricant in Leicas and other cameras are impervious to cold either.

 

[35mmdelux]

... do keep spare batteries close to my body and do normally take the camera out only for shooting...

Keeping the camera above freezing temp. works wonders.

 

[chakra]

Hi,
The only batteries that will work reliably in cold weather are Lithium batteries. You could try using CR1/3N batteries in your Zeiss Ikon ZM.

I know from personal experience that Alkalines stop working well in low temperatures but any camera I have used that took lithiums, for example an RF645 with lithium CR2's and a Nikon F100 with lithium AA's, worked fine in very cold and windy weather in the Himalayas.

There are old cameras that came with a battery pack that you tucked in your pocket to keep warm. A wire from the pack to the battery port of the camera supplied the required power. Homemade versions are not hard to fabricate for serious cold weather use.

- Santanu Chakraborty

 

[shambla]

I use the CR1/3N lithium batteries in my Ikon most of the time and have noticed that although they seem to keep working just fine in cold conditions, they start showing the low battery warning much quicker than normal. I was out last month a few times in temperatures between -1c and -5c with a nearly new CR1/3N, which started showing low battery after an hour or two of light use. The battery kept working fine regardless and then when used again another day in warmer temperatures the low battery warning disappeared again and all seemed normal. Has anyone else noticed this behaviour?

 

[kossi008]

Such is the life of battery-operated cameras.

No it's not. My crappy-70s-electronics Canon AT-1 works fine in any weather. Well it does take silver oxide batteries though.

 

[kossi008]

Keeping the camera above freezing temp. works wonders.

Yeah, but where's the outdoors thermostat? 😡

PS: Oh wait, I found it. Thanks for the hint! 😀😀😀

 

[kossi008]

[...] I was out last month a few times in temperatures between -1c and -5c with a nearly new CR1/3N, which started showing low battery after an hour or two of light use. The battery kept working fine regardless and then when used again another day in warmer temperatures the low battery warning disappeared again and all seemed normal. Has anyone else noticed this behaviour?

Yes, the exact same behavior. That is exactly why I exchanged the original Cr1/3N for the two LR44s in the first place.

Thanks for the hints everybody. Guess I'll switch back to the CR1/3N then...

 

[Arvay]

My ZI came with a CR1/3N (lithium equivalent to 2 off SR44) and that's what I've always used. They're specified to work down to -40 degrees C.

second to this, lithium elements rule in cold weather in any electronic gadget

 

[Freakscene]

If lithiums fail, make or adapt an external battery pack. If the batteries stay warm they keep working.

Marty

 

[italy74]

Kossi, slightly OT, I know what you mean about cold temp in Dresden, I have a very dear friend in Chemnitz telling she went out for a horseride when it was -16°C ( I called her totally crazy... ) it's enough to get a Lungenentzündung both for her and the horse!!!