Cold having effect on Camera Gear.

[Killjoy]

We all know that batteries don't last as long in the cold.
However, I was out shooting the eclipse Saturday morning, and yes it was chilly by California standards (well, the Bay Area anyway). It was in the low 30's.

I had my 70-200 2.8 IS on my camera, mounted on a tripod.
As I was trying to focus manually, when the focal point got towards the infinity range, it's as if the focus ring lost it's grip on the lens.
I could spin the focus ring, but it wasn't having any change on the lens. I could even watch in the distance window, and see it wasn't moving.

I figured it was probably due for a trip to Canon for a checkup.

Fast forward to later that day. I pulled my lens back out of my bag, and lo and behold, everything is working fine.
I have full range of focus with the manual focus ring.

I think I'll give Canon a call tomorrow anyway, just to see what they say.

[auddii]

Batteries don't last long in the cold? I was always told to store my batteries in the freezer so they'd last longer. Hm

As for your gear, I know that lots of things contract in the cold, and metal and plastic would contract at a different rate. So, maybe the ring would lose contact? I don't know. Might be worth having it looked at just in case.

[bgpro611]

I never heard of storing batteries in the freezer either. Battery life shortens when cold.

[kenw]

the theory is that cold slows the self-discharge rate in storage, but modern batteries don't benefit from this so cold storage is of no use. No harm, but no help either.

[andyz]

In really cold weather batteries do need to be kept warm. The cold batteries will die sooner. A second set should be in a warm pocket, shirt, etc. I hadn't heard of the rubber slipping in the cold on the focus ring. Let us know what Canon says.

[Killjoy]

It wasn't just that the rubber was slipping on the ring.
The whole collar was spinning, but was not making any changes to the focus.

Going to call Canon Service Dept in Irvine when I get home this evening.

[Killjoy]

Got off the phone with the Canon rep.

He and I both agreed that there is the possibility that the error may not even reproduce itself in the service center due to the temps I was in when I was shooting.
Since it's out of warranty, I'd have to send it in, they'd have to send me an estimate of repair, then look at it, and as I said it may not even happen again.

Going to just hang onto it until it happens again, or happens repeatedly so that if there really is an issue, they can find it.

[auddii]

Originally Posted by Killjoy

He and I both agreed that there is the possibility that the error may not even reproduce itself in the service center due to the temps I was in when I was shooting.

They should invest in a cold room!

Hopefully you won't ever have the problem again and it will just be a random fluke.

[Killjoy]

We have cold rooms where I work. I pitty the fools that have to work in them for any length of time.

I too hope it was just a random fluke. Keeping my fingers crossed.