Will camera freeze? - DPChallenge Forums

03/10/2003 06:07:55 PM · #1

I have a night photography shooting tonight and I'M wondering if my camera will freeze and if so, is it going to damage it? It's about -16C here...

Thanks

Swashbuckler

Sony DSC-F717

03/10/2003 06:19:09 PM · #2

It is possible to freeze the LCD, but it's not really likely. I think it would take an hour or more. I am certain you would not want to leave it outside all night in that cold! The other issue would be familiar to people that wear glasses - fogging the lens. When you bring the camera back inside, warm it slowly and that should help prevent fogging it up.

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

03/10/2003 06:22:15 PM · #3

In know that the battery can freeze and so leaving the camera not working (THE MANUAL SAYS OPERATING ENVIRONMENT: 0-40C), but I'm not sure if it can harm the camera and cause serious damage.... well I'Ll the teacher.

Thanks

Simms

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

03/10/2003 06:43:03 PM · #4

Even if the battery does not freeze, you will defintely find that the overall charge of the battery will drain a lot quicker than usual, as I found out one night when photographing star constellations.

Gordon

RIM BlackBerry Curve

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

03/10/2003 06:49:07 PM · #5

main effects are the battery will drain much faster. so you may need replacements - keep them in a pocket to keep them warm.

Also worth keeping your camera inside your jacket in between shots to keep it warm.

The main thing to remember is, as was mentioned, when you come back inside you'll get condensation on the camera.

Best way to avoid this ? When you are still outside put the camera into a ziploc bag, or some other plastic bag and seal it, bring it back inside and allow it to warm up to room temp before you remove it from the bag (an hour or so)

This worked for me on the last ski trip I went on. Camera worked fine below -20C (though I didn't work quite so well!)

Message edited by author 2003-03-10 18:49:39.

03/10/2003 10:26:58 PM · #6

Well thanks everybody. The only different thing the teacher told was NOT to warm the camera in between shots because that would cause condensation. He said it was better to let it "freeze" and allow it to slowly unfreeze as Gordona mentioned (but he did say about the ziplock trick which I will have the pleasure to share with him next week!).

03/10/2003 10:35:04 PM · #7

Integrated circuits inside camera are designed and tested for 32F or 0 C.
Camera will still work bellow that point but processing speed will decrease(camera has its own computer inside).
If you keep it at -40 C will probably stop functioning completely!

kirbic

Canon EOS R5

Canon RF 24-70 f2.8 L IS

03/10/2003 10:59:03 PM · #8

Originally posted by pitsaman:

Ummm, not exactly. With the exception of the LCD screen, all the electronics will function normally, provided proper voltage is applied. The capacity and voltage/current relationship for batteries will be severely affected though, and as pointed out previusly warming them in a pocket will "revive" them. No charge is lost when "frozen", only the ability to deliver current.
An interesting benefit of the low temperatures will be a reduction in sensor noise.
Repeated cycling from warm to very cold can stress solder joints in the electronics and potentially cause failure, though I doubt that this would be a factor unless the cycling was done on a regular basis, say, a hundred or more times over the life of the camera.
Finally, condensation should not form on the lens if warmed between shots, unless warmed i a humid environment. I've never had a problem with the "inside the jacket" scenario, but I would refrain from putting it inside my coat if I were exercising heavily.

03/10/2003 11:03:42 PM · #9

What ever....

jerrft

Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z3

03/11/2003 02:41:14 AM · #10

I operated my camera in -40F conditions in Alaska with few problems. The low humidity at these temps prevented condensation from forming in the lens. Biggest problem was that after several minutes (30+) of exposure, I was getting darker shades in the four corners of my photos (don't think this was caused by condensation). I also noticed a slowdown in the movement of the zoom lens. Battery life was ok as long as the camera was not stored in a cold location.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM

03/11/2003 02:47:52 AM · #11

I work in electronic industry.There is consumer products industrial and military!The main difference is operating temperature range.Most consunmer electronics are designed to operate between 0 and 40 C .Military and industrial can go as low as -55 F.

Gordon

RIM BlackBerry Curve

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

03/11/2003 08:19:44 AM · #12

Originally posted by pitsaman:

The interesting thing to note is that while consumer, industrial and military grade components are sold and are sold at significantly different price points, there isn't anything different between them. They all come from the same fab and are the same design, on the same silicon made in the same way.

The only difference is to what degree they are tested - parts that fail the military grade spec, may pass the industrial spec. Parts that fail the industrial spec may still pass the commercial qualification. The end result is that even commercial grade parts are typically able to withstand much wider tolerances than they are rated for - it just isn't guaranteed.

Radition hardening and more interesting packaging approaches some times are used for the space grade parts, but typically the only difference between any of these are cost and how well tested they are.

Geocide

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

03/11/2003 05:58:37 PM · #13

One thing you can try that we do in the video industry is to get some heat packs. Activate one and then drop keep it in your bag with your camera.

03/12/2003 01:54:01 PM · #14

Wow, what a thread! In fact, the most important thing is may the cold irreversibly damage the camera? Or will it just stop functioning? You guy are getting too techinical here!!! ha ha

03/12/2003 01:57:42 PM · #15

Nothing will happen just from cold...

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

03/12/2003 02:12:43 PM · #16

Originally posted by pitsaman:

Nothing will happen just from cold...

Great, at least now I know I won't break my camera! If only the cold could go! (OK today is better but in Quebec nothing is definite until June!!!! ha ha)

Thanks

mariomel

Canon EOS-5D

03/12/2003 02:32:54 PM · #17

Originally posted by nathaliedoo:

Great, at least now I know I won't break my camera! If only the cold could go! (OK today is better but in Quebec nothing is definite until June!!!! ha ha)

Thanks

I'm just waiting for the "winter shots in June" challenge. Nathalie and I will surely place 1st and 2nd, since the damn snow and cold is never going to stop. Snow pictures year round. LOL

I find I do some very efficient picture taking in the SUB-ZERO cold. I sit in my car, make sure all my settings are right, drive around to spec the best angles, then double park in a snow bank and run out and snap quick series of pics. Then I go back, thaw my fingers and start all over again.

You gotta love it!