Shooting in snow/very cold conditions

[*~Karena~*]

I am having a ski trip during xmas and this is my first time!!! I am excited and wish to take a lot of pics during my trip. I have no experience in taking pics in such conditions before. I heard about that when the weather is too cold, the camera will malfunction? Like some battery problem? How to handle this? I don't want to break my camera but at the same time I do really wanna take some pics!

THANKS!!!!

[srwatters]

Batteries can become an issue as the chemistry doesn't work as well in the extreme cold. Another killer for cameras is condensation with extreme humidity and temperature changes. Taking your camera out of a nice toasty cabin or car into the very dry cold air or the opposite direction can cause havoc inside your lenses. It's best to slowly warm or cool the equipment rather than subject it to quick changes.

Have fun!!!

[Daniel Bates]

Yep... take extra batteries. Lots of extra batteries.

And, don't forget to have fun! It's a ski trip, after all!

[johnastovall]

Here's good page on your camera and cold and what to do.

[babybluetx23]

I would Recommend some hand warmers that fit into your pockets and then put the batteries in your Pocket. I have been a victim of Cold batteries before. it isnt pretty. The err99 monster rears its UGLY head!

[Gordon]

You might find this thread helpful too.

[babybluetx23]

And here is another: http://www.texasphotoforum.com/forum...hlight=Gaylord

[*~Karena~*]

Thanks very much for all your inputs, I would definitely go over those suggestions and have my fingers crossed!

[SaundraU]

Being from MN I have lot of experience with this......

First i keep my equipment in it's bag at all times when not shooting. I never leave it in the car or truck for to long, when going from cold to warm or warm to cold let it sit in the bag and adjust (depending on the temp difference depends on how long it sits). Extra batteries are a must, generally we wear layers up here so i keep mine in the layer closest to my body.

[SaundraU]

On last thing in the EXTREME cold I only use cards that are the EXTREME III type.

[Breezy]

why does the card type make a difference? I mean I have an EIII 4gb but I also have others that aren't Extremes? Just curious cause we are heading to the Poconos Friday so I have been following this thread :D

[SaundraU]

Originally Posted by Breezy

why does the card type make a difference? I mean I have an EIII 4gb but I also have others that aren't Extremes? Just curious cause we are heading to the Poconos Friday so I have been following this thread :D

Some cards just aren't made to take the changes in tempeture and conditions like others, the EXTREME cards are rated at a different tempeture then the regular cards. For me where I maybe shooting in -0 to as low as -35 it makes a difference cuz when it counts I need to know that card will work.

[Breezy]

Ok I guess that makes sense.
Thanks
One ?? though would the others look like they are recording but then really not be?
Thanks again for all of the help on this thread

[SaundraU]

That one I don't know. I guess the way to check would be to shoot, turn of the camera, wait a few turn it back on and check the card for images.

[amadjuster]

I took a lot of pictures in Colorado skiing over the years and the only problem I had was batteries, and it was not that bad. This was with film and SLR's or Point & Shoot cameras. It is so dry there, condensation was never a problem. I also kept an extra set of batteries inside my parka where body heat kept them warm. I never did have to change batteries, I just did this because I read all of the warnings about shooting in real cold weather. No digital is different in that there is a bigger demand electrically so batteries would become more suseptible to losing their charge due to the extra drain. My experience is at 0 and below and I never had the camera malfunction or the batteries run dry. I did change them every night, however. I think you will do fine and don't worry too much about all of this cold weather stuff.