I am trying to get a set up that will allow me to photograph for extended periods of time at -30/-40F.
First issue for me is to learn which DSLR (if any) can take about 8 hours of shooting at those temperatures for about 10 days. My gear is Canon so, will de 5d handle it? Will the 1Dxx handle it? Do I have to winterize them? If yes, what does that mean? what about the lenses, will they take it?
Second issue is the batteries. What is the best option for such an scenario? Please bear in mind that I need to have the camera/s ready to shoot at all times since it is documentary style photography. For this reason I don't see carrying the batteries in my coat's pocket as an option. I am thinking of using a battery pack carried under my coat and plugged to the camera. Is this option practical? Are there better options?
When I talked to Canon, they strongly suggested using a Mark body because of the sealed feature. Make sure to have the disp. handwarmers and those work well taped to the bottom fo the camera keeping it warm. Also make sure to set you auto sleep mode to s quick time, ie 2 minutes at most, and I also suggest if you dont use the display screen turn it off, as it will also save battery life. As I recall you siad before you will be traveling remotely, thus taking the gear in and out of warm vehicles should not be a major issue for you, but do keep that in mind, as it can cause some fogging, esp on filters... and Ice can form also. Keep spare batteries warmish if possible, and I suggest keeping a spare on you, ie in jacket incase you need to swap. if you shoot the 5D or 40D or such, get the Bat grip and also have some AA batteries with for emergency, and have preloaded in the battery holder for the grip.
Good luck.
Kevin
Canon Mark 3, 40D, 10D (being converted to IR), EOS 1N (IR Film), & EOS 3 (mostly B&W film), 17-40 f4 L, 24-105 IS L, 35mm F1.4 L, 50mm F1.2 L, 16-35 F2.8 L (FOR SALE), 70-200 F4 IS L, 300mm F4 IS L, 180mm F3.5 L Macro, 100-400mm L IS, 500mm F4.5 L, 14mm 2.8 Tamron SP, too many bags, and tripods to even think about, but they have the best heads I have ever used, & they are made by Acratech!
I've shot in -50 degree weather with film cameras for extended time, and it wasn't much of an issue (at least with the cameras!). What I did was take the battery tray out, and keep it under my arm pit, and then when I'd move, I'd take off the lens and put the camera under my parka. I found the cameras had about 15 -20 minutes before the shutter froze up. When they freeze up, put it under your parka and it will thaw out.
The Ni-Cad batteries that I had in my D1x were pretty much useless in any kind of cold weather, let alone -30. There's a great product called a Digital Camera Battery that will run both a camera and flash, and you can keep that under your jacket. I'm not sure if the company that makes them is still in business, but you can try.
According to Chuck Westfall Low temperature (-30F) digital photography I shouldn't have any problems with the shutters of the 1D series cameras when exposed to extreme cold for long periods of time. It seems that the only concern with camera and lenses will be condensation but because we will be camping out I don't expect that to be an issue, although I'll be careful.
Thank you David, the Digital Camera Battery is one of the options that I am considering.
Kevin, thank you for your great advice. Yes, we will be traveling remotely.
I have never used hand warmers but it seems like a great way to go, to tape them to the bottom of the camera. How long do they keep their warmth? How much do they weight? I have pretty strict weight restrictions for this trip so I have to consider carefully the weight of each item I decide to take along. Also, what kind of tape do you use to tape them?
Also, any of you know which CF/SD should I take with me? How do they handle prolonged exposure to extreme cold? Are Sundisk Extreme the best?
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