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06/24/2004 03:10:23 PM · #1 |
Now that I've got my 300d, I'd like to keep my A70 in the glove compartment of my car so it's always with me should something unplanned and photogenic happen. Other than theft, is there a danger of leaving it there for long periods of time, particularly in the summer, when the temperatures here can exceed 100 degrees for long periods of time (and therefore are probably 140 in the car)?
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06/24/2004 03:14:06 PM · #2 |
my palm pilot had a brain haemorrhage the first year I was in Texas. Left it in the car for about 30 minutes and it wiped the battery backed RAM. Was okay afterwards but lost all the contents. I don't tend to leave anything valuable in the car at all now in the summer, certainly not delicate electricals - though the CD & radio survives...
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06/24/2004 03:15:21 PM · #3 |
I would never leave it in, but that's me. I am very interested in seeing the posts on this. When the day comes that I get a better camera (non point-n-shoot), the only thing I think I won't like is that I can nearly always have my camera with me right now. I have a pouch hooked onto my purse. I can't imagine always carrying some of the non-compacts. Also, see if your manual actually gives a temperature range that they recommend.
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06/24/2004 03:16:31 PM · #4 |
Recommendations for digital camera batteries suggest that exposing them to temps higher than 110F can cause permanent damage. //www.homeandoffice.hp.com/hho/cache/11517-0-0-39-121.aspx This would jive with the palm pilot issues I mentioned earlier - its more a chemical issue than an electrical issue.
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06/24/2004 03:20:29 PM · #5 |
Sounds like I need to take it out of the car and keep it with me instead. Good news is that it slides easily into a pants pocket so it's not that big a deal. Just have to remember to grab it before I go. Thanks!
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06/24/2004 03:26:49 PM · #6 |
One other question for you, Boomer. Will you be happy with the shots from the A70 after having worked with your Rebel? Someone here once said that they had a hard time being satisfied with a lesser shot now, even if it meant missing the opportunity. Just a "curious" question, not how I am feeling.
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06/24/2004 04:04:56 PM · #7 |
Originally posted by Kylie:
One other question for you, Boomer. Will you be happy with the shots from the A70 after having worked with your Rebel? Someone here once said that they had a hard time being satisfied with a lesser shot now, even if it meant missing the opportunity. Just a "curious" question, not how I am feeling. |
That's a great question, and I can't answer yet. So far, I've taken the Rebel everywhere to learn how to use it, to get comfortable with the size, and so on. I find myself rarely thinking about the A70, but I still think there will be times when it's preferred to the Reb. The image quality doesn't match the Rebel, of course, but I got some pretty good pictures out of the A70. So, I'll let you know!
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06/24/2004 05:16:38 PM · #8 |
I carry my camera (300D) everywhere. Half the time, just having it(with 28-135 IS USM lens) makes people ask "Are you a photographer" and sometimes gets interesting discussions (and work offers!) going.
Check out my //Kolya.smugmug.com/photos/3683430-S.jpg - I would never have gotten this without always having my camera by my side.
Wasn't it Jimmy Olsen from Superman who always had his camera?
Cheers.
Kolya
//kolya.smugmug.com |
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06/24/2004 06:12:20 PM · #9 |
If you want to keep your camera in the car, keep it in a small Igloo type rigid plastic ice chest. This is a solution that does three things, 1. to a theif it looks like someone's lunchbox, 2. you have a thermally regulated container, which heats up a few degrees during the day, then cools off a bit at night, 3. it is rigid and waterproof, you can throw hiking boots and spill water over it and not worry about whats inside.
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06/24/2004 06:51:51 PM · #10 |
| Also consider the batteries when leaving in a car. Lower temps would drain the batteries so when you need it too bad. Leaking batteries are not fun and hot temperatures may help it along. |
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06/24/2004 08:30:00 PM · #11 |
Originally posted by faidoi:
Also consider the batteries when leaving in a car. Lower temps would drain the batteries so when you need it too bad. Leaking batteries are not fun and hot temperatures may help it along. |
texttexttexttext
Actually low temperatures just inhibit the chemical reactions that make the battery work. When the battery returns to temps above 40F it should function just fine. Higher temps are more likely to cause problems by increasing chemical activity and pressure inside the cell, making leakage a higher probability.
But modern rechargeable batteries are very good and very tolerant of temperature variations. The electronics inside the camera are a different story. Higher temps increase electronic leakage in semiconductors making a memory failure more likely. If the flash memory that contains the firmware in your camera should fail, then the camera will be nonfunctional.
That firmware is susceptible to leakage at high temperatures. The nature of the flash memory is that it consists of many thousands of cells that each have an electronic state, either charged or not charged (binary data). If the charge bleeds off then the data is lost. And, yes, I am an expert in solid state physics.
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06/24/2004 09:46:55 PM · #12 |
I've had my 300D for less than two weeks but so far have carried it everywhere I go. I bought a huge bag that I can fit both my camera bag and my purse into but, dang, that thing is heavy! Nothing like my little powershot s50 which can fit anywhere.
What do others do when they trade in their little lightweights for the bigger and better breeds? I'm going to have to start lifting weights I think :) |
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06/24/2004 10:05:16 PM · #13 |
Originally posted by ElGordo:
Originally posted by faidoi:
Also consider the batteries when leaving in a car. Lower temps would drain the batteries so when you need it too bad. Leaking batteries are not fun and hot temperatures may help it along. |
texttexttexttext
Actually low temperatures just inhibit the chemical reactions that make the battery work. When the battery returns to temps above 40F it should function just fine. Higher temps are more likely to cause problems by increasing chemical activity and pressure inside the cell, making leakage a higher probability.
But modern rechargeable batteries are very good and very tolerant of temperature variations. The electronics inside the camera are a different story. Higher temps increase electronic leakage in semiconductors making a memory failure more likely. If the flash memory that contains the firmware in your camera should fail, then the camera will be nonfunctional.
That firmware is susceptible to leakage at high temperatures. The nature of the flash memory is that it consists of many thousands of cells that each have an electronic state, either charged or not charged (binary data). If the charge bleeds off then the data is lost. And, yes, I am an expert in solid state physics. |
While what you are saying is theoretically true, the typical operating ranges even for commercial semiconductors is up to around 60C, with 85C more common - quite unlikely that it would reach over 140F (or 185F) in a glove box. Perhaps at the extreme in direct sunlight in a car it might approach that level, but it seems on the far fringes. Last weekend for example, it was just over 100F outside in the sunlight, and my camera was in the boot/ trunk of my car - where the temperature reached a high of only 86F, inside a bag. It is obviously hotter inside the main glassed area of the car, but its doubtful that it would exceed storage and/or operating temperatures.
Batteries typically have a much lower maximum operating temp range, for commerical applications.
Message edited by author 2004-06-24 22:19:44. |
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06/24/2004 11:33:47 PM · #14 |
I keep my cell phone in my center console in my car when I'm not using it and the batteries last forever (for weeks). So I think Gordon is right that those types of areas (glove box, etc) don't get very hot.
Not sure how camera batteries (NiMH?) would do in the heat for that long however. Maybe try a combo of Brennon's idea (the cooler), use windshield sun blocker things to reflect the Sun out, and Alkiline batteries if your camera takes AA size. |
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06/24/2004 11:47:16 PM · #15 |
Just a little common sense is all that is required. Almost any sheltered place in your car should be fine, as long as it is not in direct sunlight. Even in sunlight, the hazards are not extreme, but I wouldn't trust to luck!
A warm camera will produce a noiser image in some circumstances, but that is variable from one camera to another. If you expect to use your camera at a moments notice and think it may become too warm in the car, then place it in an insulated container.
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06/25/2004 12:07:19 AM · #16 |
Originally posted by Kolya:
I carry my camera (300D) everywhere. Half the time, just having it(with 28-135 IS USM lens) makes people ask "Are you a photographer" and sometimes gets interesting discussions (and work offers!) going.
Check out my //Kolya.smugmug.com/photos/3683430-S.jpg - I would never have gotten this without always having my camera by my side.
Wasn't it Jimmy Olsen from Superman who always had his camera?
Cheers.
Kolya
//kolya.smugmug.com |
I carry my Rebel around as well and have definitely gotten the same "are you a photographer?" reactions and good discussions/opportunities.
I also use the same sot of idea as BrennanOB's when my camera has got to stay in the car. Personally I keep a couple of those small reusable ice packs in my bag (or cooler the way Brennan suggested). I only refrigerate them though, and keep them wrapped thoroughly in case of leakage.
In keeping with your concern though....I kept an Olympus point n shoot in the console my black vehicle in the perpetual summer heat of Guam and never had an issue with it...ya just never know! Here's a link about gear and the elements though. //www.photoshot.com/articles/general/outdoor_gear_survival.htm
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