Nikon RF in the cold

[marcr1230]

How should the S2/SP perform in cold weather? Like minus 10-15C ( 12F or so)

I vaguely remember my shutter speeds slowing down last time I tried
But don't recall which camera and what speed I used

Any experiences?

 

[B-9]

I'll tell you my SP doesn't like the cold one bit!

At about 20F (Maybe 15F with windchill) my viewfinder was starting to frost, fast speeds starting to mellow down, and the focus cam was sticking (apparently someone had applied a little lube there once upon a time...)

go ahead and give your bodies a try, worst case, your wrapping them in a towel and leaving them to warm by the register for the night.

 

[enasniearth]

Winter

Winter

I live in ny near the Canadian border ,
When I shoot in this weather , I keep the camera inside my coat ,
Only pull out long enough to focus compose shoot .
Your body heat helps .
When returning inside , immediately put the camera in a plastic bag to
Keep condensation from forming on camera or lens .
Remove from bag after camera has returned to room temperature .
Any camera that has not been serviced recently will have some issue in the cold .
Even cameras that are serviced may have an issue . They do winterize
cameras with special lubricants when they are destined for use outside .
Like an expedition .

 

[menos]

So how do the re-issue Nikon S3 and SP behave in this regard?

Lubricants did go through quite some development since the times Nikon built their last rangefinders in the 60's.
I can imagine a now bought re-issue S3/SP does perform flawless (comparable to a similar age Leica M film camera) in the cold ?

I did not have a chance yet to try one in real cold climate (Shanghai doesn't really deliver in the sub 0ºC department) but I do remember never having had any troubles with the Leica Ms (even the digitals if you keep warm batteries handy). Same goes for the modern Nikon DSLRs I have used - nothing but tough cameras - they just work.
I don't expect the re-issue Nikons performing any worse than that.

 

[richardHaw]

condensation is what I am most worried with 😱😱😱

 

[menos]

condensation is what I am most worried with 😱😱😱

Never happened to me - I always keep the gear inside the camera bag (usually a roomy Domke or A&A) leave the bag in the room to take on temperature and only then open it.

With digitals I remove cards and batteries while still out in the cold so I can get on re-charging and transferring photos while the gear is safe and warming up slowly in the unopened bag.

When I only temporarily enter a warm room (taking a break in a coffee shop) I just wrap the cold camera in my jacket and let it sit there until I get back out (always keep in mind that there is a camera wrapped in a jacket 😱 ).

 

[farlymac]

I took my S2 out when it was 20°F/-7°C, wind blowing around 25-30mph, with spitting snow, and it worked flawlessly. Until the next day when I went to remove the hood from the 35/2.5, and it took the front half of the lens with it. I used the hood for turning the aperture ring while I had my gloves on, and I guess it over tightened quite a bit.

PF

 

[Phil_F_NM]

I never had any problems with any fully mechanical cameras in the cold or the heat. Condensation can happen though, regardless of how you prepare.

The only time a camera ever failed on me was with my issued Nikon F3 when I was at Navy photo school. It was early March and there was a huge snowstorm (this is after NPS moved to Ft. Meade, MD) and the high temperatures were in the teens. The little button cells got too cold and wouldn't allow the shutter to fire.

The other time a camera failed on me due to temperature was in Kuwait, 2004. It was August and after an hour or so outside, my issued Nikon D2H wouldn't even turn on. It turns out the camera has a failsafe to not turn on when temperatures are hot enough to affect performance of the sensor and possible adverse effects on the LCD. That was around 120 deg F. In Kuwait it was over 130 from dawn to dusk!

Just use the camera and ensure it dries out when it warms up. Nothing to worry about.

Phil Forrest