Photography in the winter / which camera & what to keep in mind

[Thomas78]

Hello

In the coming winter I want to continue with my "outdoor" photography, which means to take the camera with me while walking/hiking/cycling in the winter.

The typical temperature in the winter ist here between +5 °C and -5 °C (around 40 °F - 20 °F). This and the temperature gradient when getting inside a house might not be very good for the camera.

So I am thinking of which camera to take:

A Viewinder (Rollei 35) / Rangefinder (FED 2, Zorki I ) or a TLR?

And what shoud I consider to keep my camera in the winter weather in good shape and to prevent the condensation of moisture while getting inside with the still cold camera?






Regards,
Thomas

 

[cliffpov]

If you have a Canon FTb I know it will fire shots off at -20 and colder. The two cameras you mentioned, I would believe the Rollei 35 likely would be a good cold weather shooter but I haven't tried it yet. Don't know anything about the Fed or Zorki. I would be curious to hear how they work if and when you find out.

 

[easyrider]

All the cameras you listed will work in the winter. I have used Rollei 35, Rollei TLR, Canon EF. The only time I had a camera seize because of cold it was a digital Kodak 4800. It was 3.2 megapixel camera and took excellent pix. But while shooting outdoors in fairly humid conditions, the zoom froze on me.

Also, how cold is cold? I live in southern Canada. It might be different in the arctic. Only shot in the summer there.

 

[rbiemer]

If all of your camera choices are working well, use the one(s) you like best.
That said, see this thread for more specific advice:
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=97278
Rob

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

Winter where I live is about the same as where you live, Thomas. I've never had trouble with any mechanical camera being out in the cold for hours and the only electronic camera that ever gave trouble was an Olympus OM-4T whose batteries died in the cold, but they were close to being dead even in the warm...with fresh batteries installed it worked with no issues for the rest of the time I was out shooting. So just be sure your batteries are fresh and you'll be fine.

 

[ebino]

You want a body with rubber grip, otherwise metal, especially aluminum conducts heat 100x faster than normal.

the best camera for cold is modern SLRs film or digital.

 

[mooge]

consider how useable it will be with gloves on.

 

[Ronald M]

Mine goes in a camera bag & into the cold car for ride home. Once inside the bag gets wrapped with a park or quilt so it can rest for 8 hours. Take the film out first if you are anxious.

Condensation will cause you fits if it is inside the camera. I know digi sensors will get condensation on them.

 

[robklurfield]

don't eat yellow snow.

 

[alistair.o]

don't eat yellow snow.

;-) is that experience talking there Rob?

Al

 

[lmd91343]

The only cameras I've taken out into the cold are my Canon FTb and F1n (2nd model). By cold I mean between 32*-0* F. I carried them in my backpack without an issue.

Of the cameras you mentioned, I think that the Rollei might have too small of controls too close together to manipulate in the cold. It would be for me. I would take my FED 2 or Zorki 1 into the cold weather.

In my winters here in Los Angeles, I have no problem with any camera when the temperature gets as low as the mid fifties F. I'll even venture out without gloves. 😛

 

[patois]

I hate photographing in the snow. I recommend getting fingerless gloves. They make it easy to hold your camera.

 

[Mablo]

I live way up north and shoot a lot in cold weather. +/-5C all cameras are good. For me cold means -15C or colder. The best camera for that kind of weather conditions must be a sturdy mechanical SLR. Consumer grade digital cameras are plain rubbish in really cold weather. They just break down and die after a while. Old mechanical rangefinders are quite good too but in very cold weather a metallic camera body is not very nice to hold against your cheek. This is the main reason I like to use other types of cameras in very cold conditions. A TLR is the most difficult to use IMO because you tend to breath into the viewfinder which means that your camera is inoperative for some time. Other than that they are good. I have broken a few Rollei levers in the cold though and they are quite expensive to replace. A Rollei 35 is definitely a good choice.

For a very cold day the trick is to keep your camera in the bag outdoors and not warm inside your coat. You can easily destroy your camera bringing it indoors from the cold. Moisture builds up and you end up with a rusty camera. Let the camera stay in the bag for a couple of hours before taking the film out.